Browse Items · Topanga Historical Society Digital Archive

California Incline, Santa Monica Pier, railroad

Woody Woodward does headstand on Makaha skateboard

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

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

Jan-Michael Vincent, Cheryl Giefer, George Trafton

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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

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

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

Ramblin' Jack Elliott and wife June Shelley

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

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.

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 nudist and 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

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

Rose Wiley at her Trujillo Ranch gate in Old Topanga Canyon

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Topanga Beach aerial view with surf

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Bikini girls eat popsicles at The Raft restaurant

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

Topanga Elementary School, Sixth Grade Class, 1968-69

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

A flood engulfs a house in Lower Topanga

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

Aerial view of Topanga Beach

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

Elkhorn Camp sign on Topanga Canyon Blvd.

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

Lynn's Hair Design beauty salon

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

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

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

The DeWitts and the Woods at the Wood stone house

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

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

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

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

Topanga Post Office and General Store

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

Topanga Elementary School, Sixth Grade Class, 1960-61

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

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

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

Topanga Elementary School, Sixth Grade Class Graduation, 1961

Topanga Elementary School, Sixth Grade Class, 1960-61

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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…

Arch Rock at Topanga Beach, 1906

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Topango Radiant Springs truck

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

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

Pine Tree Circle and Old Topanga Canyon

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

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

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

Potter's Topanga Trading Post

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

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

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.

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

Cars parked in the creek bed

The Topanga Center

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

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).

Donkey Baseball in Bonnell Park

The Topanga Riders and the American Legion play Donkey Baseball in Bonnell Park to determine "who slickered who" after tying in the first game.

Jim Buerckel plays Donkey Baseball

Jim Buerckel got a big laugh by carrying his donkey around the bases in a game of Donkey Baseball in Bonnell Park.

Ron Bouseman plays Donkey Baseball

Ron Bouseman "found out that the terra was never more firma" when his donkey bucked him in a game of Donkey Baseball in Bonnell Park.

Renate and Ray Casser at home in The Rodeo Grounds

Renate (1939-2022) and Ray Casser (b. 1934) were both from Westphalia, Germany. Ray, a gardener, moved to Topanga Canyon Lane in Lower Topanga in 1960. Renate, a nanny, married him a short time after. They moved to higher ground in The Rodeo Grounds…

Ray and Renate Casser's backyard, The Rodeo Grounds

Entrance to The Rodeo Grounds, cottonwood tree, dirt road

Robert Campbell and Pablo Capra, The Rodeo Grounds

Robert Campbell (1951-2004) shows Pablo Capra his graphic novel On a Purple Spiral Floating in The Rodeo Grounds in 2002, the year they cofounded Brass Tacks Press. Capra celebrated the 20th anniversary in 2022 by publishing Robert Campbell:…

Writer Pablo Capra in his greenhouse, The Rodeo Grounds

Kristin Dittrich rides a horse in The Rodeo Grounds

Artist Claude Bal at home in The Rodeo Grounds

Michael Greene's art studio, The Rodeo Grounds

First Topanga Gymkhana, 1956

The first Topanga Gymkhana was a horse show at the Topanga Riders Club arena, near The Outside Inn.

Paul Dubosclard painting "Old Cairo Street Scene"

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Paul Dubosclard print "Port of Malibu, California" (Malibu Pier)

Paul Dubosclard print "Malibu Lagoon"

Paul Dubosclard print, Topanga postcards, uncut sheet

This uncut proof sheet includes the prints...

TOP ROW:
Sycamore Lodge, Home of Dorothy and Harry Boehme
Clouds over Topanga
Evening Fog
Sunset on the Pacific (Sunset over Topanga)
Topanga Post Office (General Store, Soda Fountain, and Old…