Past or current residents of the West San Fernando Valley just fell out of their chairs reading this headline. I know, bear with me. When this part of the valley was in it’s infancy stages, and primarily wheat and barley fields, Los Angeles visionaries invested heavily, $500,000 initially, in developing our way our west part of Los Angeles.
Visionaries such as Developer, H.J. Whitley, Colonel H.C. Hubbard, Generals Harrison Gray Otis and Moses Hazeltine Sherman. Does Hazeltine and Sherman ring a bell? Hazeltine, a street in Sherman Oaks was either named after him or most likely his daughter who was named Hazeltine. Sherman Oaks and Sherman Way was named after him as well.
“Sherman Way originally was a country road through the wheat and lima bean fields that separated the Valley farm towns of Lankershim, Van Nuys, Marian and Owensmouth. It was multi-modal: built from the get-go with a streetcar track on one side, paved road on the other — and with no speed limit, an enticement to attract more weekend motorists from Los Angeles to the dusty towns.”
Sherman Way was trying to establish itself as a “model highway” of the United States and was to extend from Van Nuys to Owensmouth, which is now Canoga Park, CA. Passenger traffic on Sherman Way with the new Pacific Electric streetcar line was opened up in December 16, 1911.
Marketing began for Owensmouth, which became Canoga Park in the early 1930s. Remember, just as it is now, this was the last stop along Sherman Way.
A huge free barbecue was held to entice potential buyers to start living in Owensmouth, now Canoga Park. Wealthy city folks were buying secondary residences “out in the country”. Wealthy Americans from all over were being marketed to and their efforts succeeded as evidenced by the article below.
Sugar beets were the cash crop du jour of Van Nuys at the time and advertisements were trying to get the Angeleno out in their cars to sight-see the crops.
Interestingly, with all the development of the public transportation, there was marketing of a mission hotel being built opposite the Mission San Fernando as a tourist draw. The hope fo the trolley line being extended from Lankershim to Van Nuys was supposed to increase the tourism and revenue. Sherman Way was to increase the “automobile parties to view the mission ruins”.
By 1912, Ross E. Whitley was advertising “wonderful beet fields and fruit orchards and Sherman Way the $500,000 boulevard” in an effort for potential buyers to purchase land for 2, 10, or 40 acre homes. Ross E. Whitely was Herbert J. Whitley’s son that was President of the State Bank of Owensmouth and took over for his father as President of First National Bank of Van Nuys by 1916.
By January of 1913, fifteen buildings on Sherman Way between Marion (Reseda) and Owensmouth (Canoga Park), were being built. There were about six palatial homes nearing completion. Among them was the Whitley Ranch No 4.
In March of 1913, there was an auto race held on Sherman Way for the 1st Anniversary of Owensmouth (Canoga Park). Now that would be something now! Although some of you could argue we see this in rush hour traffic.
“The distance of six and a fraction miles is ideal for a race course Only One right-angle turn must be negotiated on the entire course the others being wide sweeping curves which will not slow the driver down materially Tetztaff says it is to be the fastest course he ever has driven upon and the veteran driver is eager to get into practice – The course passes along Sherman way through the town of Owens-mouth turns down to the Calabasas road On Workman avenue follows the Calabasas road past the Elliot Brand ranch house and comes back to Sherman way via Canoga street A hair-pin turn in the last-named road will furnish thrills to spectators at this point The setting for the race is ideal and from the manner in which entries are being received at headquarters the only other necessary requisites cars and drivers seem to be forthcoming in a manner which will make the Owensmouth one of the biggest races ever held in Southern California.”
Los Angeles Evening Express
Los Angeles, California
08 Mar 1913, Sat
For early views of the San Fernando Valley, check out the Water and Power Associates website here.
Also in 1913, citizens voted for $75K in bonds to supply 13 miles of Sherman Way from Van Nuys to Owensmouth with street lights. They boasted at the time the lights would be just as good as those on Broadway in Downtown Los Angeles. It also was considered a county road in 1913.
Amazing we take street lights for granted these days. It was a big deal in 1913. “County Officials Ready To Purchase The Juice” was the best headline! By December 1913, 3 miles of lights were erected. They still had 32 miles to go now to fully light Sherman Way.
Bring in the beautification! 40,000 Rose bushes were planted and lined Sherman Way by 1914. At the end of the article below, it mentions that Sherman Way was “the most expensive and beautiful”. I wonder if we see evidence of these anywhere along Sherman Way today? If anyone does, can you snap a photo and send to me?
Now of course a shortcut was being devised. Benedict Canyon was being constructed by 1914. Benedict Canyon not only was to help cut time out of the commute but to help alleviate the traffic encountered on the Cahuenga Pass at the time.
It also wasn’t unusual at this time to see fruit stands along Sherman Way at the time. Many orchards were on these ranches and the owners took advantage of this stretch to be capitalists as well.
“When we reached home we had with us peaches and apricots, plums, apples, berries, a large ripe water melon, cantaloupes, oranges, lemons, grape fruit, new potatoes, green corn, cucumbers, lettuce, sweet potatoes, onions end tomatoes. Honey we found at a stand within hailing distance of the apiary. surely a guarantee of Its purity and excellence.”
By 1915, two poultry ranches were being built at the west end of Sherman Way.
I could go on and on which I may continue in more posts to come about why Sherman Way was such an integral part of or West San Fernando Valley history. It was the “if you build it they will come” mentality at the time. These developers put tons of money into the development and marketing efforts to draw potential buyers to the West San Fernando Valley. It was a national and international effort. The papers were busy with publishing articles welcoming new residents to the valley.
Sherman Way was mentioned daily in the LA Times. It was a big deal. How it became what it is today as not so desirable is what I am trying to understand. How was there so much ‘love’ put into this road to become what is today. Do you think these visionaries would be proud of what it is today?
Photos today of Sherman Way throughout various parts of it.
West SFV Lifestyle 
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