The Ford Fairlane was a beautiful car sold in the '50s and '60s. It was named after Henry Ford's Michigan estate, called Fair Lane. But what about Ford Lane in Huntington Park?

Ford Lane is a tiny street behind Huntington Park City Hall. But local historian Wally Shidler says it was named for a very big man in the city: William "Uncle Billy" Ford.

"He was the first Huntington Park town marshal and he was elected April 15, 1908 and he served until 1910 when he became disabled. Then he retired. But he later served as street superintendent, tax and license collector, tree warden, and fire chief."

Maybe he didn't have time to find a more important street to name after himself. Wally Shidler says Ford Lane had absolutely nothing to do with the Ford Motor Company or the Ford Fairlane automobile.

(Airdate for this story: 10/7/07)