The core of Sherman Library’s archival collections are the papers of Moses Hazeltine Sherman, records of companies Sherman financed, and the papers of his business associates. Sherman had a varied career that included working as a teacher, government official, real estate investor, railroad developer, and steamship company official. Sherman’s business interests ranged across Arizona, Southern California, and northern Mexico. Sherman’s career provides the general focus for Sherman Library’s collection areas, which concentrates on the development and change to the Pacific Southwest starting in the American period. Specifically, Sherman Library seeks to preserve materials relating to land development, urban and suburban development, transportation systems, mineral rights, and water use. The library also seeks to preserve general historical materials about Orange County, CA., especially Newport Beach. Finally, Sherman Library holds the historical records of Sherman Library & Gardens.