There are actually two streets named for Moses Hazeltine Sherman: Sherman Way and Hazeltine Avenue. Bill Robertson says, "He was a big developer and a sub-divider of property that he owned." Robertson is director of L.A.'s Bureau of Street Services.

He says Moses Sherman made his mark in more than real estate. Sherman – a onetime school teacher from Vermont – survived a dramatic shipwreck off Cuba, became superintendent of schools for the territory of Arizona, and then in 1890, invested in L.A.'s first electric railway.

His name turns up elsewhere around town: Sherman Oaks was named in his honor. And the city of West Hollywood was originally called Sherman.

(Airdate: 11/29/2008)