RIO VISTA, Calif. — One of the largest collections of exotic animals in Northern California isn’t housed in a zoo, it’s mounted on the walls of a bar.
At Foster’s Bighorn in downtown Rio Vista, you don’t have to give up your seat to spot lions, zebras and even an elephant. The sports bar turned taxidermy museum is home to nearly 300 preserved animals and each one has a story.
“This is like the top seat in the house,” said owner Chris Wakeman. “A lot of people will tell you when they were growing up, if it was their birthday, the birthday treat was to sit underneath the elephant.”
Founded during the Great Depression, Foster’s Bighorn was the vision of Bill Foster, an avid hunter and former Prohibition-era bootlegger. He bought the place in 1931 and opened it in 1933, changing his name and laying low after fleeing Alameda County law enforcement.
“He was on the run from the law,” Wakeman said. “So he came to Rio Vista from Alameda County and changed his name to Foster, and I think he kind of went into a little bit of hiding.”
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The bar thrived before and after Prohibition, eventually funding Foster’s extravagant hunting trips across Africa. A passionate photographer, Foster meticulously documented his expeditions.
“He documented his travels really well,” Wakeman said. “He was a photographer. He loved doing this.”
The taxidermy work filling the bar was done by the Jonas Brothers — no relation to the pop stars — who were once among the most respected museum-quality taxidermists in the world. The result is a collection that’s part saloon, part natural history exhibit.
“Apparently, there was a time when field trips would come in here,” Wakeman said.
After Foster’s death, the bar briefly fell into the hands of the IRS. Several owners came and went before Wakeman took over.
Wakeman says he respects Foster’s original vision. He restored the restaurant’s fine dining experience and even gave the animals a proper cleaning.
“This was something that Bill was privileged to go see, and he wanted to bring this back to share it,” Wakeman said.
Some animals on the wall are now endangered or protected, but the collection dates back to a time when hunting laws were looser and public awareness of global wildlife was limited.
“This was a totally different time,” Wakeman said. “This was preservation. Conservation. The meat went to tribes and villages and families.”
For many, Foster’s Bighorn is more than a bar — it’s a generational tradition wrapped in history and storytelling.
“I think it's everybody and telling stories about coming here,” said longtime customer Blaine Schultz. “I've told many people who never heard of the place. I said, 'just Google Foster’s Bighorn and trust me, you'll enjoy it.'"
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