Browse Items (449 total)

  • Collection: Lower Topanga

A 1930 map marks Lower Topanga as a future park

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A 1930 map ("Diagram of Beach Frontage") marks Lower Topanga as the site of a future park, and the Santa Monica / Venice coastline as a future harbor.

The fishing boat Ameco sank off Topanga Beach, killing 16

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The fishing boat "Ameco" capsized off Topanga Beach, and 16 people drowned on Memorial Day, May 30, 1930. This remains the worst boating accident in the Santa Monica Bay.

Spence's Cabins motel sign on the Pacific Coast Highway

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Spence's Cabins motel sign on the Pacific Coast Highway points to Topanga Lane.

Marion Spence, unknown, Florence Spence by a trailer

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Marion Spence, unknown, Florence Spence by a trailer in the backyard of Spence's Cabins motel on Topanga Lane.

Siblings Thomas and Marion Spence at Spence's Cabins

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Siblings Thomas and Marion Spence sit on a car in front of Spence's Cabins motel on Topanga Lane.

Marion Spence leans on a car in front of Spence's Cabins

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Marion Spence leans on a car door in front of Spence's Cabins motel on Topanga Lane.

Edna Mae Spence with Adelia, Tom Jr., and Howard Evans

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Edna Mae Spence with nieces and nephews Adelia “Dee Dee”, Tom Jr., and Howard “Happy” Evans at Spence's Cabins motel on Topanga Lane.

Tom Evans with Marion, Roberta, William, Florence Spence

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Tom (maybe), wife Marion Evans (Spence), Roberta, William, and Florence Spence gather by a trailer in the backyard of Spence's Cabins motel on Topanga Lane.

Florence Spence, Jake Fields, William Spence, dog Skippy

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Florence Spence, Jake Fields, William Spence, and dog Skippy at Spence's Cabins motel on Topanga Lane.

Edna Mae Spence with mother Florence, friend Jake Fields

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Edna Mae Spence with mother Florence and friend Jake Fields at Spence's Cabins motel on Topanga Lane.

Florence, William, and Edna Mae Spence with dog Skippy

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Florence, William , and daughter Edna Mae Spence with dog Skippy at Spence's Cabins motel on Topanga Lane.

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.

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

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.

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.

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).

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.

Aerial view of Topanga Beach, 1924 (3/3)

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Aerial photo of Topanga Beach and Las Tunas Beach, 1924 (3/3)

Harold Lloyd and Mildred Davis in "A Sailor-Made Man"

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Actors Harold Lloyd and Mildred Davis take a publicity photo at Las Tunas Beach for the silent film "A Sailor-Made Man" (1921).