An interesting roundabout at the base of the foothills of the San Fernando Valley has always intrigued me. Tucked just west of the 405 freeway and south of Ventura Blvd sits Sherman Oaks Circle, designed no doubt by land developer and streetcar magnate Moses Sherman as perhaps the gateway to the Valley township that bears his name, Sherman Oaks.
1952 map, Sherman Oaks Circle at center prior to the freeway:
Historic Aerials
If I was to guess, Sherman who started developing and subdividing Sherman Oaks in the mid to late 20’s probably intended to build a railway from West Los Angeles (and his other namesake city Sherman - today West Hollywood) and travel north through the Sepulveda pass to this roundabout destination in his new SFV suburb development. Pure speculation on my part, but it became clear that SO Circle was indeed intended to be the epicenter of the township (and clearly the San Fernando Valley) when I came across this proposed 1929 development for a City Hall for the San Fernando Valley designed by architect Harold Cross smack dab in the center of the roundabout
:
USC Digital Library
Proposal view looking south:
Of course this never happened, the City Hall was built in Van Nuys instead in 1932 and the Circle was developed with housing. Years later the 405 slashed its way just east of the circle and west of Sepulveda Blvd leaving this small curiosity of the Valley literally an island unto itself and another failed L.A. development dream.
Current map, with the 405 snuggling up to SOC:
Google maps
Sherman Oaks Circle today:
GSV
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, I'm going to say it's a 1957 Plymouth Belvedere convertible.
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