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- Collection: Lower Topanga
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Don MacVicar, bassist of surf rock band Blue Juice
Don MacVicar, bassist of surf rock band Blue Juice, pours a glass of beer at Madame Wong's West in Santa Monica.
J. Murf, leader of surf rock band Blue Juice
J. Murf, leader of surf rock band Blue Juice, smiles with Lori at Madame Wong's West in Santa Monica
Riding horses in Topanga Creek
Bill Flaxman rides Moon (King Zimmerman's horse, which had been in the 1976 Olympics), his wife Geraldine rides Mare (Dean Skipworth's horse), and they are followed by their dog Spunky (and Judy's dog Melody), in the Rodeo Grounds, on their way home…
Dave Sanderson, Mayor of the Snake Pit
Dave Sanderson, unofficial Mayor of the Snake Pit, at home, with a bougainvillea plant and two cats.
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:…
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…
Surfers Ed Fearon, Don James, and Jack Quigg
Surfers Ed Fearon, Don James, and Jack Quigg took this photo in front of their Topanga Beach house on the day that Pearl Harbor was attacked, December 7, 1941. They knew they were going to war.
Eduardo Camões painting, "Arch Rock, 1905," 2017?
A man drives a horse wagon through Arch Rock in 1905, in this painting accessed from the internet in 2017.
State Parks's Lower Topanga "Battle Plan" cartoon
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!"
Gun-toting Mary West picnics with her daughters
Gun-toting Mary West picnics with her daughters on Topanga Beach. The caption says, "Mary A. West with Elizabeth West in front and Frances West in rear. That rifle being held by Mrs. West was given to me in Lordsburg, N.M. about 1894 by the assistant…
Topanga Beach Auto Court
Topanga Beach Auto Court, with James Talmadge's Deusenberg. James was the son of Buster Keaton and lived on Tuna Beach.
Big money encroaches on Topanga, Jody Roberts, 1992
Artist Jody Roberts drew this comic map for the "Messenger" newspaper, showing "Big Bucks Estates" and "Big Development" encroaching on Topanga.
Dave Sykes poses with his redwood "Topanga" surfboard
Dave Sykes poses with his redwood "Topanga" surfboard.
Surf pioneer Joe Quigg said:
"[Dave] Sykes was the best surfer I had seen at that time because he lived there [at Topanga Beach] and surfed all day, every day. He could just glide and…
Surf pioneer Joe Quigg said:
"[Dave] Sykes was the best surfer I had seen at that time because he lived there [at Topanga Beach] and surfed all day, every day. He could just glide and…
Dave Sykes surfs at Topanga Beach
Dave Sykes surfs a balsa-redwood surfboard at Topanga Beach.
Surf pioneer Joe Quigg said:
"[Dave] Sykes was the best surfer I had seen at that time because he lived there [at Topanga Beach] and surfed all day, every day. He could just glide and…
Surf pioneer Joe Quigg said:
"[Dave] Sykes was the best surfer I had seen at that time because he lived there [at Topanga Beach] and surfed all day, every day. He could just glide and…
Jim Talmadge stands beside a "Topanga" surfboard at Malibu
Surfer Jim Talmadge at Malibu's Surfrider Beach stands beside a redwood surfboard that has the word "Topanga" written on it. Jim was the son of actor Buster Keaton. The board probably belonged to Dave Sykes.
Jerry Cibilich sculpture, "Crystal Radio Antenna," 1991
Jerry Lee Cibilich (1957-2011) worked as a California lifeguard in the summer, and studied art in Italy in the winter under famous artists like Marco Gastini and Mario Merz. The ocean, found its way into his work through the use of salt, waves of all…
West Topanga Beach Road, 18622 to 18722
West Topanga Beach Road was a private driveway serving the homes 18622 to 18722.
Dorothy Lilley walks daughter Sue on W. Topanga Beach Rd.
Dorothy Lilley walks daughter Sue on the family car on W. Topanga Beach Rd.
Evan “Gramps” Harrison (glasses) and friend with surf mat
Evan “Gramps” Harrison (glasses) stands with a friend holding a surf mat. Surfboards lean on a beach house in the background.
Brownie Scout Troop 1667, led by Kay Saltman (Queen K.)
Brownie Scout Troop 1667, led by Kay Saltman (Queen K.), at Topanga Beach.
Woody Woodward's Skateboarding Hall of Fame T-shirt
Woody Woodward skates on a T-shirt created by Logan Earth Ski to commemorate his induction into the Skateboarding Hall of Fame in 2013.
Rock riprap along Topanga Creek, near PCH
Boulders were placed as rock riprap along the right bank of Topanga Creek, 600 feet upstream from Pacific Coast Highway.
Marinos' Seafood Restaurant
Marinos' Seafood Restaurant on Pacific Coast Highway, where The Reel Inn is today, was run by Greek fishermen. The Raft and The Reel Inn were later built on this spot.
Norton Wisdom's art studio in the Snake Pit
A painting and sculptures decorate Norton Wisdom's art studio in the Snake Pit.
A 1930 map marks Lower Topanga as a future park
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.
Las Tunas Isle Motel stained-glass window
Las Tunas Isle Motel stained-glass window shows underwater scene with fish, seaweed, and a mermaid.
Las Tunas Isle Motel bathroom wall and ceiling
Las Tunas Isle Motel bathroom wall and ceiling have a tropical-plant decor, with green palm leaves painted around a lamp.
Las Tunas Isle Motel check-in window and doorbell
Las Tunas Isle Motel check-in window, doorbell, and arundo bamboo walls
Las Tunas Isle Motel room doorbells
Las Tunas Isle Motel room doorbells and arundo bamboo decor at front door.
Las Tunas Isle Motel arched entrance
Las Tunas Isle Motel arched entrance doorway with arundo bamboo decor and doorbells.
La Esperanza house's address plaque, Las Tunas Beach
La Esperanza house's address plaque, Las Tunas Beach, reads "18862 Malibu." The house's name means, "The Hope," and formerly belonged to actors Greta Garbo, June Havoc, Fred MacMurray, and screenwriter Frank Pierson.
John Larronde's Hawaiian surfboard, carved from wood
John Larronde's Hawaiian surfboard, carved from wood, was one of the first to be used at Topanga Beach.
A non-native tree is sprayed with blue herbicide Roundup
A non-native arundo tree is sprayed with the blue herbicide Roundup by State Parks in the lower Topanga Creek bed. The health impacts of the glyphosate-based Roundup, as well as its effects on the environment, have been at the center of substantial…
Non-natives plants are sprayed with blue herbicide Roundup
A non-native arundo patch is sprayed with the blue herbicide Roundup by State Parks in the lower Topanga Creek bed. The health impacts of the glyphosate-based Roundup, as well as its effects on the environment, have been at the center of substantial…
Non-native arundo is sprayed with blue herbicide Roundup
A non-native arundo stalk is sprayed with the blue herbicide Roundup by State Parks in the lower Topanga Creek bed. The health impacts of the glyphosate-based Roundup, as well as its effects on the environment, have been at the center of substantial…
Potter's Topanga Trading Post
Potter's Topanga Trading Post on the west side of Pacific Coast Highway and Topanga Canyon Blvd., where the Malibu Feed Bin is today, in Lower Topanga.
Geological map of Topanga Beach shows fault lines, 1973
Preliminary geologic map of the unincorporated part of the Topanga quadrangle, Los Angeles Country, California.
Geological map of Topanga Beach shows fault lines, 1964
Preliminary geologic map of the unincorporated part of the Topanga quadrangle, Los Angeles Country, California.
Lower Topanga panorama, 1920s
Lower Topanga panorama shows Topanga Beach, a bathhouse, Shady Lane, Topanga Lane, and the Rodeo Grounds.
Robbie Dick shapes a surfboard with Glen Kennedy
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…
Aerial view of entrance to Topanga Canyon, 2022
Aerial view of entrance to Topanga Canyon shows Oasis Imports, the Malibu Feed Bin, and 7-Eleven gas station.
Broken pilings from a 19th-century bridge near the lagoon
Broken pilings from a 19th-century bridge protrude from the Topanga Creek bed near the lagoon.
Topanga Bombers reunion T-shirt, 1991
Topanga Bomber Jim Fitzpatrick commissioned skateboard artist Sean Cliver to design this reunion T-shirt in 1991. It was printed at Powell-Peralta Skateboards.
Fitzpatrick asked Cliver to modify the logo of the Santa Cruz Surfers Union by adding a…
Fitzpatrick asked Cliver to modify the logo of the Santa Cruz Surfers Union by adding a…
A bridge crosses the Topanga Lagoon
A bridge crosses the Topanga Lagoon, near Cooper's Camp and De Long Cafe. Plans were afoot to replace the bridge, which happened in 1933. This photo comes from a 1930 report submitted to the Citizens' Committee on Parks, Playgrounds, and Beaches, by…
A prison camp in Lower Topanga housed a chain gang
A prison camp in Lower Topanga housed a chain gang while they built the Topanga Canyon Road.
"The great dormitory sits in the center of what will soon be a beautiful garden. The prisoners have already marked off the plot for flower…
"The great dormitory sits in the center of what will soon be a beautiful garden. The prisoners have already marked off the plot for flower…
Aldo Vidali
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…
Surfer JoJo Perrin displays his artwork
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…
JoJo was revered for his an innovative surfing style. In the 1960s and '70s, he…
Lucy and Charles Greenleaf and friends at Topanga Beach
Photograph "when hearts were young and gay; Topanga pioneers live again in historian Nelson's fine picture of long ago" Ben Failor, Columbus (Moose) and Lucy Cheney, Mrs Ed Erdman, Claud Morton Allen
Fisherman Spere Aneme mends his net
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.
Greek fishermen at Topanga Beach
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…
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…
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