Browse Items (1409 total)

Saxifragaceae and Chaparral Currant

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Saxifragaceae and Chaparral Currant (Ribes malvaceum var. viridifolium) plants.

Norton Wisdom's art studio in the Snake Pit

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A painting and sculptures decorate Norton Wisdom's art studio in the Snake Pit.

Surfers Mike Perry and Craig Halley sit on a fence

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Mike Perry and Craig Halley sit on a fence on Topanga Beach Road.

Aricia Halley, Woody Stuart, Carole Winter, Mike Perry

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Aricia Halley, Woody Stuart, Carole Winter, and Mike Perry sit on the sand in front of a beach house.

Albert Hoyt and Judge John Merrick at the first THS meeting

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Albert Hoyt, temporary president of the newly formed Topanga Historical Society, looks over a book with Judge John J. Merrick (right), president of the Malibu Historical Society. The book, "Happy Days in Southern California" by Frederick Rindge of…

Anderson and Silvernale families, neighbors on Robinson Rd.

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Neighbors on Robinson Rd.: Larry Anderson, Jerry Anderson, Lee Silvernale, Molly Anderson, Nancy Anderson, and Sally Silvernale.

Surfer Jono Fadriquela and friends in the parking lot, 2/2

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Unknown, Cathy Kersford, Ross Terranova, Jono Fadriquela, and Heidi Von Meter in the Topanga Beach parking lot

Surfer Jono Fadriquela and friends in the parking lot, 1/2

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Jono Fadriquela, Cathy Kersford, Kurt Armand (behind), Ross Terranova, Jimmy Allard, unknown, and Heidi Von Meter in the Topanga Beach parking lot

Woody Woodward, John Murphy, and Jeff Horseman

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Woody Woodward, John Murphy (J. Murf), and Jeff Horseman in the Topanga Beach parking lot

The Turning Point Ramp became a dome house

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The Turning Point Ramp was a capsule-shaped skateboard ramp invented by Scotty Senatore in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in 1979. Built from Lexan and aluminum, it raised up on a hydraulic stand. It appeared at exhibitions around the country, and in the…

Topanga Beach surfers sit on driftwood

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Rick Hoffman (left), Woody Woodward (smoking), Mike Bernstein (guitar), J. Riddle (guitar), Mark Martin, Matt Lasky, Sherry Sharp, and Laurie Lott sit on driftwood at Topanga Beach. The house with the arundo belonged to Dr. Schweiger.

Skaters Kent Senatore and Stacy Peralta at Topanga Beach

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Skateboarders Kent Senatore and Stacy Peralta appear in a scene at Topanga Beach, in the film "Skateboard Madness" (1980), directed by Julian Pena, and produced by Hal Jepsen.

Larry Anderson assists with re-seeding by helicopter

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Larry Anderson assists his father, Topanga Fire Captain Harvey Anderson, in re-seeding by helicopter after the 1948 fire. This photo was taken at the future site of the Topanga Community House.

Kenneth C. Graham, Stuart Van Hook, Donald W. Graham

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Kenneth C. Graham, Stuart Van Hook (with rifle), and Donald W. Graham stand in the dry Topanga Creek bed across Topanga Canyon Blvd. from Kneen's Camp. Don eventually moved to Topanga in 1950, where he raised his family from 1950 to 1971. His wife,…

Artist Paul Dubosclard (1892-1974)

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Artist Paul Dubosclard (1892-1974), born in Paris, France, created serigraph postcards (silk-screen postcards) depicting Malibu and Topanga in the 1940s.

Home of Edwin and Laura Julian on Topanga Canyon Blvd.

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Edwin and Laura Julian lived in this house on Topanga Canyon Blvd,, near Sylvia Park, from 1911-1964.

The "White" house on Topanga Canyon Blvd.

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The "White" (family?) house at 1475 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd.

Brothers Eric and Hans Wienberg with dog Duke

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Brothers Eric (holding gun) and Hans Wienberg with dog Duke at Topanga Beach.

Woody's Shack at the Theatricum Botanicum

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Artist James Mathers stands on the doorstep of Woody's Shack at the Theatricum Botanicum. Folk singer Woody Guthrie lived here in 1952.

Bob DeWitt, Los Angeles High School, 1932

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Bob DeWitt, Los Angeles High School, 1932, would become Topanga's first Beatnik.

Guitar-shaped swimming pool of The Malibooz

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The guitar-shaped swimming pool on Entrada Rd. was built by John Zambetti. His surf band, The Malibooz, filmed the music video for their song “Hot Summer Nights" around the pool... one of the first videos aired on MTV.

Nike Hercules Missile launching site

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The Nike Hercules Missile launching site of Battery B. 3rd Battalion, 57 Artillery, was located on Rambla Pacifico Road, between Malibu and Topanga. The commanding officer was Captain Raymond Ashwill.

A Nike missile stalls on its way to the Strawberry Festival

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A Nike Hercules anti-missile missile was stalled for several hours at the first turn up to the Community House, on its way to the Strawberry Festival. Vance Hoyt gives a helpful push.

Geological map of Topanga Beach shows fault lines, 1964

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Preliminary geologic map of the unincorporated part of the Topanga quadrangle, Los Angeles Country, California.

Geological map of Topanga Beach shows fault lines, 1973

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Preliminary geologic map of the unincorporated part of the Topanga quadrangle, Los Angeles Country, California.

Dave Sanderson, Mayor of the Snake Pit

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Dave Sanderson, unofficial Mayor of the Snake Pit, at home, with a bougainvillea plant and two cats.

Lori Salkow Cleary, Bonnie Vincent, Victoria Andersen

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Lori Salkow Cleary models her scarf dresses, made from Mexican fabric, with Bonnie Vincent (on the horse) and Victoria Andersen (in pink), in the Rodeo Grounds.

State Parks's Lower Topanga "Battle Plan" cartoon

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A political cartoon shows State Parks's "Battle Plan" to evict the Lower Topanga community. Rangers in camouflage target the Malibu Feed Bin and say, "To subdue Malibu—first you 'take out' their landmarks!"

Princess Lois Radziwill at the Las Tunas Isle Motel

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Princess Lois Radziwill reports a $20,000 jewelry robbery to Malibu Detective Sergeant E. P. Ellson at the Las Tunas Isle Motel.

Cowgirl Dorothy Morrell smiles at her horse

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Cowgirl Dorothy Morrell smiles at her horse in a publicity photo for the Elks Rodeo, held at Topanga Beach in 1923. A world champion, she entertained with broncho busting and trick riding.

Cowboy “Skeeter” Bill Robbins rides a bucking steer

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Cowboy “Skeeter” Bill Robbins rides a bucking steer in the Rodeo Grounds to practice for the 1923 Elks Rodeo at Topanga Beach.

Elinore Hughes was in a beauty pageant at the Elks Rodeo

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Elinore Hughes was in a beauty pageant at the 1923 Elks Rodeo (Round-Up) at Topanga Beach.

Max Dupont's yacht at Topanga Beach

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Max Dupont's yacht at Topanga Beach. A cinematographer, Dupont invented DuPont Vitacolor in 1930. He is known for "The Third Alarm" (1930), "The Speed Classic" (1928) and "The Three Must-Get-Theres" (1922).

Strawberry Queen Sharon Brown, 1966

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Strawberry Queen Sharon Brown, 15, reigned over the two-day Topanga Strawberry Festival with her princesses (from left) Frances Trank, Shirley Hoover, Brenna, and unknown.

Aerial view and map of Lower Topanga, 1970

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Lower Topanga aerial photo and map show Topanga Beach, the Snake Pit, the Rodeo Grounds, Brookside, and Sunset Mesa.

Aerial view of Lower Topanga, 1997

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Lower Topanga aerial photo shows Topanga Beach, the Snake Pit, the Rodeo Grounds, Brookside, and Sunset Mesa.

Michael Saenz and Darlene Shelton at the Saenz house

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Michael Saenz and Darlene Shelton at the Saenz house on Topanga Beach.

Topanga map, 1950

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Department of County Forester and Fire Warden. Divisional Map No. 1 - Battalion 5.

John Larronde's Hawaiian surfboard, carved from wood

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John Larronde's Hawaiian surfboard, carved from wood, was one of the first to be used at Topanga Beach.

Lower Topanga panorama, 1920s

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Lower Topanga panorama shows Topanga Beach, a bathhouse, Shady Lane, Topanga Lane, and the Rodeo Grounds.

Topanga Beach panorama, 1928

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Topanga Beach panorama shows Potter's Store, Topanga Service Station, billboards for Union Gasoline and Lightning Gasoline, a bathhouse, the De Long Cafe, Cooper's Camp, and the bridge over the lagoon.

Topanga Service Station gas station ad

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Topanga Service Station gas station advertisement. "Where Topanga Road Meets the New Coast Highway." Red Crown and Union Gasoline at City Prices. Clayton C. Rust Proprietor.

Topanga Beach Tent City and Bungalows ad

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Topanga Beach Tent City and Bungalows ad. 100 feet from the ocean. Bungalows accommodating four persons. Tent cabins accommodating two or three. Dance floor for guests. Mrs. Lillie Fields, proprietor.