Browse Items (988 total)

Surfer George Trafton in Blue Cheer ad "Cheer Up!"

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Surfer George Trafton in "Cheer Up!" ad for Blue Cheer surfboards, 3112 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90403.

Las Tunas Isle Motel brochure

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From the brochure for the Las Tunas Isle Motel, located on Las Tunas Beach: "On the Ocean Side at famous Malibu, Las Tunas Isle Motel offers the ultimate in comfort and relaxation for the casual and commercial traveller, The Las Tunas has been the…

Camp Wildwood Swim Club membership card

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Camp Wildwood Swim Club membership card: "This certifies that [YOUR NAME] is an amateur athlete representing the Wildwood Swim Club Topanga, Calif., and is registered with the S.P.A.A.A.U. Bring this card with you to all competitions."

Aldo Vidali

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In 1930, Aldo was born to an Italian family in Ixelles, Belgium. As a child he went to Italy and from there he began his life of traveling. His travels have taken him to almost every continent in the world. He has studied at the University of…

Greek fishermen at Topanga Beach

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Greek fishermen at Topanga Beach.

1. Captain Spere Aneme [Speero Anegone] and partner Mike Leonadas [Mike Leonis] take a boat to their lobster traps.
2. Captain Spere throws back a baby lobster.
3. Captain Spere measures a lobster to see if…

Fisherman Spere Aneme mends his net

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Captain Spere Aneme [Speero Anegone] mends his net. He lived at Topanga Beach with fellow Greek fishermen John Foundoukos and Mike Leonadas [Mike Leonis]. They opened a fish market there around 1923.

Topanga Beach, 1924

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Topanga Beach, 1924, showing beach houses, tents, Cooper's Camp, and cars on the highway.

Painter George Demont Otis

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Painter George Demont Otis. The back says, "Given to Mavis by Mrs. G. Otis -- Clara."

George Demont Otis, "Topanga Canyon," c. 1923

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George Demont Otis, "Topanga Canyon," c. 1923, oil on canvasboard, 12" x 16".

George Demont Otis painting, "Topanga," c. 1920s

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George Demont Otis painting, "Topanga," oil on canvas, 30" x 36 1/4".

Topanga Beach map, 1876

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Topanga Beach map, 1876, shows: Tepango Canon [Topanga Canyon], Johnson Peak, and kelp bed.

Rancho Boca de Santa Monica map, 1851

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Rancho Boca de Santa Monica map, 1851, specifically a diseño (a rough map required to accompany Spanish and Mexican land grant petitions), shows: Punta de Topanga [Topanga Point], Lomas Alta [high hills of the Pacific Palisades], Santa Hermonica…

Topanga Beach map, 1877

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Topanga Beach map, 1877, shows: Tepango Canon [Topanga Canyon], Johnson Peak, and a kelp bed.

Topanga Beach map, 1874

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Topanga Beach map, 1874, shows: Arroyo Topango [Topanga Creek], a post in a mound of stone at Point Topanga [sic], a point of rocks (Mal Paso) [Arch Rock]

Topanga Beach map, 1868

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Topanga Beach map, 1868, shows: Laguna de Topanga [Topanga Lagoon], a post in a mound of stone, Rocky Point (Mal Paso) [Arch Rock]

Topanga Elementary School sign

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Laurie and Anne Lanaro pose in front of the Topanga Elementary School sign on Laurie's first day of kindergarten in 1962.

A beach house wrecked by a storm and big waves

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Just west of the Topanga Beach Lagoon, a house is wrecked by a storm and big waves.

Big money encroaches on Topanga, Jody Roberts, 1992

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Artist Jody Roberts drew this comic map for the "Messenger" newspaper, showing "Big Bucks Estates" and "Big Development" encroaching on Topanga.

Surfer JoJo Perrin displays his artwork

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In the early 1980s, surfer JoJo Perrin (1950-2023) would spend the afternoons in the parking lot at Topanga Beach nearly every day, selling his artwork from his van.

JoJo was revered for his an innovative surfing style. In the 1960s and '70s, he…

Actress Lindsey Wagner at Topanga Beach

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Lindsey Wagner starred in "The Bionic Woman," a TV show that aired from January 14, 1976, to May 13, 1978.

First surfboard shaped by Dave Sweet and Howard Terrill

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First surfboard shaped by Topanga Beach surfers Dave Sweet and Howard Terrill from balsa wood in the 1940s. Dave Sweet became a pioneer of shaping foam surfboards in the 1950s.

Christian Andersen holds a red surfboard at Topanga Beach

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Christian Andersen: "My mom's Hawaiian boyfriend had this surfboard made for me in Hawaii with my named stenciled on it in 1966. It was the first short longboard that any of the Topanga guys had seen."

Robbie Dick shapes a surfboard with Glen Kennedy

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Robbie Dick shapes a surfboard with Glen Kennedy in the Wilken factory on 22nd St. in Santa Monica. Glenn, a Wilken team rider, was working on a knee board when Robbie and Rich Wilken found him using the wrong tools. Robbie humorously went overboard…

Sylvia and Ted Berkeley, with daughters Wendy and Bonnie

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Sylvia and Ted Berkeley, with daughters Wendy and Bonnie, pose with Ted's surfboard at Topanga Beach.

The Berkeley family with wrestler Primo Carnera and friends

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TOP: Ted and Sylvia Berkeley, unknown. BOTTOM: Primo Carnera, Bob and Kay McLaughlin, unknown, Bunny and Dorothy Berkeley. At the Franklin family's house at Topanga Beach.

Evelyn Franklin at Topanga Beach

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Evelyn Franklin sitting on the bench that Charles Pritchard built at Topanga Beach

Molly Gordon at Topanga Beach

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Molly Gordon, a couple months before marrying Topanga Beach resident Larry Franklin.

Logo for the Wood family's jewelry business Cyvra

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Vera Wood created this ink drawing as the logo of the Wood family's jewelry business called Cyvra, a combination of Cyril's and Vera's names. Vera would say that these two angels were her future daughters Lynn and Karen, born in 1948 and 1949.

Cyril and Vera Wood with baby Lannis in Red Rock Canyon

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Cyril and Vera Wood with baby Lannis and nanny in Red Rock Canyon

Woody Woodward does headstand on Makaha skateboard

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Woody Woodward, aka "Woody the King," does a headstand on a Makaha skateboard.

Canned Heat on Topanga Beach

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The band Canned Heat poses on Topanga Beach with driftwood.

Canned Heat on Topanga Beach

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The band Canned Heat poses on Topanga Beach with driftwood.

Ginger Snips Salon & Spa, Menu of Services

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Ginger Snips Salon & Spa. "A Magical Oasis." 18803 Pacific Coast Highway. Malibu, CA 90265. (310) 455-2460. Menu of Services. Body. Hair.

J. Murf, leader of surf rock band Blue Juice

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J. Murf, leader of surf rock band Blue Juice, smiles with Lori at Madame Wong's West in Santa Monica

Don MacVicar, bassist of surf rock band Blue Juice

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Don MacVicar, bassist of surf rock band Blue Juice, pours a glass of beer at Madame Wong's West in Santa Monica.

Danny Reinhart, stonemason, in the Messenger

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Danny Reinhart, stonemason, poses with the tools of his trade for a photo that was published in the "Messenger," to illustrate editor Colin Penno's article about his mosaic work, "Topanga Arts."

A stagecoach raises dust in the S-Turns

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A stagecoach, drawn by six horses, raises dust on the dirt road through the S-Turns.

Ramblin' Jack Elliott and wife June Shelley

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Ramblin' Jack Elliott and wife June Shelley, also a musician, with guitar and banjo. They met at Will Geer's herb farm (Theatricum Botanicum), and stayed together for five years. They traveled throughout Europe, performing together.

Emil Zimmerman, the Woods, and the DeWitts

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Nature Boy Emil Zimmerman in loincloth and sandals raising an old shed to the second story of a new extension to the Wood stone cottage in Hondo Canyon. In the foreground are... Back row: Vera Wood, Iky DeWitt, Doreen "Doi" DeWitt (holding baby Billy…

Cornelia Trujillo with kids Rosagua, and Dolores Jr.

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Cornelia Trujillo with kids Rosagua (Rose Wiley), and Dolores Jr.

Nudists jump on a trampoline at Sandstone Retreat

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Nudists jump on a trampoline at Sandstone Retreat, a free-love commune that opened off Saddle Peak Rd. in 1969.

Barbara and John Williamson opened Sandstone Retreat

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John and Barbara Williamson opened Sandstone Retreat, a nudist and free-love commune, off Saddle Peak Rd., in 1969.

The Williamson were middle-class professionals who felt constrained by the traditional view of marriage and monogamy. Not long…

Anne Lanaro with kids Perry and Laurie on Webb Trail

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Mrs. Lanaro with kids Perry and Laurie in front of their house on Webb Trail

Bikini girls eat popsicles at The Raft restaurant

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Two bikini girls eat popsicles at The Raft restaurant at Topanga Beach.

Topanga Elementary School, Sixth Grade Class, 1968-69

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Topanga Elementary School, Mr. Lusk's Sixth Grade Class, 1968-69

TOP ROW
1. Danny Stewart, 2. Chad Nounan, 3. Jimmy Sawday, 4. Gary Varner, 5. Jimmy Harrigan, 6, David Gunn, 7. Donald Long, 8. Eddy Vale, 9. John Weld, 10. Gary Book
MIDDLE…

John Fondukas carries a girl across Topanga Creek flood

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John Fondukas carries a girl across Topanga Creek during a flood in Lower Topanga Canyon. Firemen, deputy sheriffs, and private citizens used rowboats and swam to rescue those marooned by the 1941 rainstorm.

A man watches a house that the flood carried away

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A man watches a house that the Topanga Creek flood had carried for half a mile in Lower Topanga Canyon.

Lower Topanga residents flee past downed telephone poles

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Lower Topanga residents flee along Topanga Canyon Blvd. from the storm danger, past downed telephone poles, some of them carrying pets. Numerous mudslides were reported during the 1969 storm.

The Topanga Creek flood piles cars against debris

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The Topanga Creek flood piles two cars against debris on Shady Lane in Lower Topanga Canyon.

Kathleen Kay and Jack Gardner, refugees from the 1938 fire

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Kathleen Kay and Jack Gardner, carrying a load of furniture on their car, seek refuge from the 1938 Trippet Ranch Fire. The fire caused Lower Topanga residents to flee to the beach.

A fire burns to Topanga Canyon Blvd.

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Firemen watch as a fire burns to Topanga Canyon Blvd. in Lower Topanga.

A flood engulfs a house in Lower Topanga

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The Topanga Creek flood engulfs a house and van in Brookside in Lower Topanga.

Aerial view of Topanga Beach

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Aerial view of Topanga Beach, from Las Tunas Beach to the Charthouse Restaurant, along Pacific Coast Highway.

Elkhorn Camp sign on Topanga Canyon Blvd.

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A car drives by Elkhorn Camp's sign and picnic benches on Topanga Canyon Blvd. in Lower Topanga.

Lynn's Hair Design beauty salon

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Lynn's Hair Design, at the time Topanga's only beauty salon for men and women, opened on February 4, 1978. Lynn Linderman, who had been a Topanga resident for 16 years, renovated the front room of the building that used to house Cepin Realty.

The DeWitts and the Woods at Fernwood Market

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Iky DeWitt, Billy DeWitt, Bob DeWitt, Jerry Maren (Munchkin from "The Wizard of Oz"), Lord Richard Buckley (comedian), Lannis Wood, Bobby DeWitt, Karen Wood, Lynn Wood, Betsy DeWitt at the Fernwood Market and Jane Gentle's bookstore The Treasure…

Bobby Driscoll and the Wood sisters

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Bobby Driscoll (actor) with Karen, Lannis, and Lynn Wood at the Wood stone house.

The DeWitts and the Woods at the Wood stone house

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Nora DeWitt, Betsy DeWitt, Bobby DeWitt (hat), Lynn Wood, Karen Wood, Lannis Wood, Iky DeWitt at the Wood stone house.

Halloween parade, Topanga Elementary School, 1966

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Students participate in a Halloween parade at the Topanga Elementary School playground in 1966. Laurie Lanaro wears a witch costume. Her brother Perry Lanaro wears a Daniel Boone costume.

Halloween parade, Topanga Elementary School, 1966

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Students participate in a Halloween parade at the Topanga Elementary School playground in 1966. Laurie Lanaro wears a witch costume. Her brother Perry Lanaro wears a Daniel Boone costume.

Day laborers ride their float in the Topanga Days Parade

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"Day Laborers of Topanga" ride their float in the Topanga Days Parade.

Topanga Post Office and General Store

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A woman stands on the porch of the Topanga Post Office and General Store.

Topanga Elementary School, Sixth Grade Class, 1960-61

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Topanga Elementary School, Mr. Fred Ruge's Sixth Grade Class, 1960-61

ROW 1
1. Max Penner, 2. Kathy Ezzell, 3. Charles Wilson, 4. Ron Jenkins, 5. Ronald or Robert Masterson, 6. Robert Filmore
ROW 2
1. unknown, 2. Joy Jupp, 3. Mack Yallou, 4.…

Topanga Elementary School, Third & Fourth Grade Class, 1958-59

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Topanga Elementary School, Mrs. Bertha Hangen's Third & Fourth Grade Class, 1958-59

ROW 1
1. unknown, 2. unknown, 3. Jimmy Dehr, 4. unknown, 5. Scott Morris, 6. unknown, 7. unknown
ROW 2
1. unknown, 2. unknown, 3. unknown, 4. Frances "Franny"…

Topanga Elementary School, Class of 1961 Reunion

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Topanga Elementary School, Class of 1961, Hawaiian-themed 40th Reunion.

1ST ROW
1. Max Penner, 2. Jimmy Dehr, 3. Kenny Wallace, 4. Steve Marshall, 5. Michael McGovern, 6. Guest
2ND ROW
1. Fred Massey, 2. Randy Green, 3. Sandy Bigelow, 4. Franny…

Beverly Jones, Karen Wood, Carol Knittle

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Topanga Elementary School, Sixth Grade Class Graduation, 1961

Topanga Elementary School, Sixth Grade Class, 1960-61

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Topanga Elementary School, Sixth Grade Class Graduation, 1960-61

1ST ROW
1. Ronald or Richard Masterson, 2. Ronald or Richard Masterson, 3. Harold Lindsey, 4. Steve Marshall, 5. Charles Wilson, 6. Alan Kruse, 7. unknown, 8. Wesley Reinhart, 9.…

Topanga Elementary School, Sixth Grade Class, 1960-61

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Topanga Elementary School, Mr. Herbert Hawkins's Sixth Grade Class, 1960-61

1ST ROW
1. Ray Boyette, 2. Norma Krause, 3. Richard or Ronald Masterson, 4. Harvey Cannaday, 5. Sandra Bransky, 6. Michael McGovern
2ND ROW
1. Jan Pearson, 2. Elizabeth…

Topanga Elementary School, Fifth Grade Class, 1959-60

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Topanga Elementary School, Mr. Martin Lockso's Fifth Grade Class, 1959-60

1ST ROW
1. Max Penner, 2. unknown, 3. Michael Buckley, 4. Leonard Adams, 5. Janice Outwater, 6. Gray Garnett
2ND ROW
1. Jean Jaques Stehelin, 2. Virginia House, 3.…

Topanga Elementary School, Fourth Grade Class, 1958-59

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Topanga Elementary School, Mrs. Florence Bruinsslot's Fourth Grade Class, 1958-59

1ST ROW
1. Daniel Siefers, 2. Beverly Jones, 3. Michael McGovern, 4. Sally Ware, 5. Gray Garnett, 6. unknown, 7. Harold Lindsey
2ND ROW
1. Wesley Reinhart, 2.…

Topanga Elementary School, Third Grade Class, 1957-58

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Topanga Elementary School, Mrs. Springer's Third Grade Class, 1957-58

1ST ROW
1. Virginia House, 2. Janie Hoffman, 3. Matthew Bartholomew, 4. unknown, 5. Earl Wickenberg, 6. Jean Jaques Stehelin, 7. Jimmy Dehr
2ND ROW
1. Michael Harriet, 2.…

Topanga Elementary School, Second Grade, 1956-57

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Topanga Elementary School, Mrs. Washington's Second Grade, 1956-57

1ST ROW
1. unknown, 2. unknown, 3. Michelle Stork, 4. Steve Marshall, 5. unknown, 6. Harold Lindsey, 7. Jerry Brown
2ND ROW
1. Richard Coghlan, 2. Earl Wickenberg, 3. Sally…

Topanga Elementary School, First Grade, 1955-56

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Topanga Elementary School, Mrs. Anderson's First Grade, 1955-56

1ST ROW
1. Matthew Bartholomew, 2. Steve Marshall, 3. Kenneth Wallace, 4. unknown, 5. Jimmy Dehr, 6. Sally Ware, 7. Guy Hoover
2ND ROW
1. Max Penner, 2. unknown, 3. unknown, 4.…

Topanga Elementary School, Kindergarten Class, 1954-55

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Topanga Elementary School, Mrs. Anderson's Kindergarten Class, 1954-55

1ST ROW
1. Michael McGovern, 2. unknown, 3. Charles Wilson, 4. unknown, 5. unknown, 6. unknown, 7. Max Penner
2ND ROW
1. Guy Hoover, 2. unknown, 3. Sally Ware, 4. Earl…

Topango Radiant Springs truck

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Distributor Harry "Sox" Kuhlmeyer stands with his Topango Radiant Springs truck. The company delivered water from a spring at the bottom of the S-turns. Joy Pierce was the manager.

A car and a horse at the Topanga Post Office

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A car and a horse at the Topanga Post Office and General Store

Pine Tree Circle and Old Topanga Canyon

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Pine Tree Circle and Old Topanga Canyon. The structure at bottom center is the Topanga Post Office and General Store.

Pine Tree Circle and the Post Office Tract

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Pine Tree Circle and the Post Office Tract. The Topanga Post Office and General Store is on the left.

Katherine's Kitchen at Cheney Drive

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Katherine's Kitchen was a restaurant at Cheney Dr. and Topanga Canyon Blvd.

Potter's Topanga Trading Post

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Charles and Eleanor Potter stand in front of Potter's Topanga Trading Post in Lower Topanga, where The Feed Bin is today.

Marino's Seafood Restaurant

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Marino's Seafood Restaurant on Pacific Coast Highway, where The Reel Inn is today, was run by Greek fishermen.

The Raft, a bar and restaurant

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Jimmy McDonald's The Raft was a bar and restaurant on Pacific Coast Highway, where The Reel Inn is today.

Pine Tree Circle and S. Topanga Canyon Blvd.

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Pine Tree Circle and S. Topanga Canyon Blvd. The Topanga Post Office and General Store is on the left.

The Topanga Center

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Families displaced by the 1948 fire wait at the Topanga Center. A sign for Lee's Hitching Post is visible in the background.

John Heron and his homestead in upper Hondo Canyon

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John Heron at age 99 in 1960, and his homestead in upper Hondo Canyon circa 1908.

Bill Carter carries the Topanga Riders flag

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Bill Carter, at the first Donkey Baseball game in Bonnell Park, carries the Topanga Riders flag in uniform (red shirt, blue jeans, and a gray hat).