Browse Items (3726 total)

Two girls walk towards the Topanga Beach lifeguard tower

Two girls hug while walking towards the Topanga Beach lifeguard tower.

Two girls walk on a nearly empty Topanga Beach

Two girls walk on a nearly empty Topanga Beach. The Chart House is in the background.

Two girls sit in a colorful trailer in The Snake PIt

Two girls sit in the doorway of engraver Bernie Consten's colorful trailer in The Snake PIt.

Two girls ride a horse by a boat called "The Answer"

Two girls ride a horse by a film crew that has been shooting at a Topanga Beach house and at a boat called "The Answer."

Two girls pull themselves over Topanga Creek in a basket

Two girls pull themselves over Topanga Creek in a basket chair at Topanga Lane after a flood. A dog stands nearby.

Two Donkeys by Pond

Two donkeys by Cheney Pond

Two Cars Parked by Restaurant

Black and white photograph of Mohn Springs restaurant and dance hall

Two cars park on the newly widened Topanga Canyon Road

Two cars full of people park on the newly widened Topanga Canyon Road in Lower Topanga. On the right, a man gets water from a spring.

Two cars are stuck in mud near Topanga Lane after a flood

Two wrecked cars are stuck in mud near Topanga Lane after a flood.

Trujillo Ranch gate

Trujillo Ranch gate built by grandson John Wiley in 2001

Trujillo family stands with teacher Miss Ericson

Dolores Trujillo, 53, with wife Cornelia, children Rosagua (Rose Wiley) and Dolores Jr, their teacher Miss Ericson, and their lamb Buckoo.

Trippet Ranch

Topanga State Park

Traffic barricades close Topanga Beach during COVID-19

Los Angeles County ordered a COVID-19 pandemic, Topanga Beach closure from March 30, 2020, to May 1, 2020. Traffic barricades display "No Parking" signs along PCH. Another sign says, "Topanga State Beach 300 Feet."

Town Council President Gary Davis and founder Jan Moore

First official Topanga Canyon Town Council President Gary Davis and founder Jan Moore square dance at Topanga Days.

Torger Johnson skates for Makaha / Logan Earth Ski, 3/3

Torger Johnson, 23, returned to skateboarding in the mid-1970s to ride for Makaha / Logan Earth Ski.

Torger Johnson skates for Makaha / Logan Earth Ski, 2/3

Torger Johnson, 23, returned to skateboarding in the mid-1970s to ride for Makaha / Logan Earth Ski.

Torger Johnson skates for Makaha / Logan Earth Ski, 1/3

Torger Johnson, 23, returned to skateboarding in the mid-1970s to ride for Makaha / Logan Earth Ski.

Torger Johnson skates at 1965 Skateboard Championships

Torger Johnson, barefoot and wearing a helmet, does a nose manual (wheelie) on a Makaha skateboard in front of the bleachers at the 1965 International Skateboard Championships in Anaheim, CA. He is featured on the cover of Issue #3 of "Skateboarder…

Torger Johnson does a wheelie on a Makaha skateboard

Torger Johnson (1951-1983) does a nose manual. Johnson was an original Makaha Skateboard Team member and then Hobie Super Surfer team member. He invented many freestyle tricks, including the "Spacewalk," a maneuver in which a rider balances on the…

Torger Johnson crouches under the lip of a wave

Surfer Torger Johnson crouches under the lip of a wave at Topanga Beach.

Torger Johnson and George Trafton jump over a bar

Torger Johnson, 13, and George Trafton, 15, jump over a bar before an audience in Teener's Surfing Hall in the Cow Palace at the San Francisco Sports and Boat Show. Both are members of the Hobie / Vita-Pakt Super Surfer skateboard team.

Topographical Sheet map, 1933

Topographical Sheet map shows houses on Topanga Beach and Las Tunas Beach.

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.

Topanga's Eighth Grade Graduates, 1946

Topanga's Eighth Grade Graduation. With 19 members the Class of 1946 was one of the largest and most promising ever to be graduated from the Canyon school. Left to right—Standing: Mrs. Elva Sigrist, principal; Robert Winton, Larry Allen, Dale Cutter,…

Topanga Yacht Club race off Topanga Beach

Topanga Yacht Club races promoted the cause of a Topanga Yacht Harbor at Topanga Beach. Emmett Harvey of Los Angeles won this race in his Vagabond. Second was Dr. Fred Ott of Inglewood in his Goat. Floyd Alexander was third in Sea Horse.

Topanga Yacht Club membership cards, 1933-1936

Topanga Yacht Club membership cards, signed by Oka Stewart (member), Helene Raymond and Henry Gledhill Jr. (secretaries), and Vesey O’Davoren (commodore).

Topanga Women's Auxiliary

Topanga Women's Auxiliary threw an old-fashioned community picnic in 1942, precursor to the fairs. Standing from left: Elva Sigrist, unknown, Hermoine Cox, unknown, Virley Harlan, Mrs. Theriault, Nelle Upham, unknown, Louise Adams, Helen Blencourt,…

Topanga Turnout destroyed by floods of 1998

Topanga Turnout became a victim of the El Nino rains of 1998 when a landslide doomed the little shopping center.

Topanga Tavern on Old Topanga Canyon

Topanga Tavern was built in 1909 on Old Topanga Canyon just south of the Narrows.

Topanga Symphony Conductor Jerome Kessler

Topanga Symphony Conductor Jerome Kessler takes a bow from the Community House stage.

Topanga Summit

Topanga Summit became a popular viewing spot after the road opened to cars in 1915.

Topanga Sue’s car is parked on Topanga Beach Rd.

"Topanga Sue" Lilley’s Pontiac LeMans car is parked on Topanga Beach Rd. Her Phil Edwards model, Hobie surfboard is strapped to the roof.

Topanga Sue's Makaha skateboard has stickers

"Topanga Sue" Lilley's Makaha skateboard is displayed from the top and bottom, revealing her name, a patch of grip tape, and several stickers, including one that says, "Makaha Surf Skateboard, 2601 Colorado Ave., Santa Monica, California," and…

Topanga Sue stands in front of her beach house

Surfer "Topanga Sue" Lilley holds a surfboard in front of her Topanga Beach house by the lagoon.

Topanga Strawberry Festival News Release, 1977

14th Annual Topanga Strawberry Festival News Release, June 29, 1977.

The Topanga Community Improvement Association (TCIA) was formed in 1959 with Cyril C. Wood as provisional president. They helped create the Resource Conservation District of the…

Topanga Shopping Center, 1966

Topanga Shopping Center featured the Best Food Center and Topanga Cleaners.

Topanga Service Station gas station ad

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 Sea Scouts

In 1947, Topanga Sea Scouts were awarded the ship "Pelete" for winning the scout regatta. Co-skippers Chuck Russell, Fireman Robert Etz, and Fire Captain Desmond Barton stand uniformed in foreground.

Topanga School, 1926

Teacher Esther White conducts a story hour at the new school.

Topanga School teachers, 1940s

Topanga School teachers: Principal Elva Sigrist, Beulah Hendrix, Grace Wiley, Ivy Pearson, Florence Bruinsslot, May Peterson, Leon Hendrix, Rhoda Julian, Thelma Parker, Bertha Hangen, Jacqueline Wilson.

Topanga School Booster Club President Lynne Haigh

Since Lynne Haigh became its first president in 1983, the Topanga School Booster Club (later Topanga Enrichment Program, TEP) has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for enrichment programs.

Topanga School

Spanish-style Topanga School was built in 1925. The classroom and stage later became the American Legion Hall.

Topanga Rough Riders in Monument Valley, Arizona

Topanga Rough Riders Club on horseback in Monument Valley, Arizona

Topanga Riders Summer Gymkhana award, 1956

Dale Smith, 13, won this second-place award in the "Speed and Action" event at the Topanga Riders Summer Gymkhana. The red ribbon has gold lettering and a picture of a horse. Dale also won first place in the "Stake Race."

From "The Topanga…

Topanga Ranch Motel key

Topanga Ranch Motel cabin #19 was the home of Jack Lester Sr. and his sons Kim and Jack Jr. They lived in multiple cabins from 1963 until it closed in 2002... about half of the motel's existence!

Topanga Ranch Motel business card, 2/2

The Topanga Ranch Motel's business card shows a drawing of a cabin (that does not look like the motel).

Bill Rice, manager

Topanga Ranch Motel
18711 PCH, Malibu, CA 90265
(across from Topanga Beach)
Phone (301) 456-5486

Topanga Ranch Motel business card, 1/2

The Topanga Ranch Motel's business card shows the sign above the office, at the entrance.

Stephanie Grayson, manager
Ray Craig, owner

Topanga Ranch Motel
18711 PCH, Malibu, CA 90265
(across from Topanga Beach)
Phone (301) 456-5486
Fax…

Topanga postcard: "Have You Forgotten...?"

Topanga postcard: "Have You Forgotten That I Am Still at Topanga? Then Why Don't You Write?"

Topanga Post Office and General Store

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

Topanga Permanent Water Committee

The Topanga Permanent Water Committee was formed by the Chamber to push for a reliable water supply. Elected in 1956, from left: Sherman Haeggquist, Dan McGovern, Tom McDougall, Peter Stimac, and Virgil Just.

Topanga Peace Alliance

The Topanga Peace Alliance held Friday vigils against the Iraq War, like this one at Topanga Canyon Blvd and Pacific Coast Highway, in front of Oasis Imports and the Malibu Feed Bin. Bernt Capra stands at center, facing the camera.

Topanga Oaks sign, a real estate development

Topanga Oaks sign, a real estate development, advertises its advantages: "community center, school on tract, good roads, close to ocean, water, daily delivery, restrictions, reasonable prices."

Topanga Mineral Springs

Horseshoe Bend was renamed Topanga Mineral Springs and its waters were sold to customers in Los Angeles.

Topanga map, 1950

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

Topanga Lions Club

Topanga Lions Club members: Archie Lennan, Sy Prewitt, Dick Olsen, Albert Hoyt, Harry Rose, Tim Vickers, Melvin Penny, and Dean Penny.

Topanga Lane residents are stranded by the flood

Topanga Lane residents are stranded by the flood after Topanga Creek destroys their bridge. Bonnie Poorman Vincent is at left. Sara Russell Lane is at right.

Topanga Lane residents are rescued from the flood

Topanga Lane residents Sara Anderson, Rusty Lane, Ingrid Lindquist, Margretha Lane, Unknown (with dog), and Wes Armand (carrying son Kurt) stand by a deputy sheriff, who prepares to rescue them from the flood by pulling them over Topanga Creek on a…

Topanga Lane floods

Topanga Lane floods. The Topanga Beach Auto Court motel is safe on the hill. William Spence stands beside Spence's Cabins at right.

Topanga Lane descends into The Snake Pit

Topanga Lane descends from Pacific Coast Highway into The Snake Pit. The back of The Reel Inn restaurant is at right.

Topanga Lagoon Restoration plan shows a 200-foot bridge

The Topanga Lagoon Restoration plan, Alternative #2, preferred by the Resource Conservation District, is superimposed on an aerial view of Topanga Beach. It shows...

- A 200-foot, Topanga Lagoon bridge
- The removal of 11.7 acres of earth,…

Topanga Ladies, 1958

"Topanga Ladies and Lassies Score Triumph as Fashion Models at Show Here"

Norah DeWitt, Judy Piner, Rebel Raymond, Betty Douphner, Miriam Oberg, Dorothy Boehme, May Lewis, Nell Laymen, Lee Segler, Miss Barbara Juday, Miss Carol Esparza

Topanga Labor Exchange float at Topanga Days

Topanga Labor Exchange float at Topanga Days. PATCH members and kids join Latinos playing traditional music.

Topanga Labor Exchange

People Assisting Topanga Canyon with Helping Hands (PATCH) co-chairs Michele Johnson (right) and Maryana Kuretski (second from left with her twins Devon and Kia) opened Topanga Labor Exchange in the early 1990s, on a site donated by Steve and Leslie…

Topanga Jr. Bombers patch shows a surfer doing Quasimodo

The Topanga Bombers Surf Club formed at Topanga Beach in the winter of 1962-63. An offshoot appeared around 1965 called the Topanga Junior Bombers, whose patch showed a surfer in a Quasimodo stance. The artwork was drawn by Gary Baker.

Topanga Journal 1943 Fire Coverage

The Fire of November, 1943 pictured from the Post Office Tract looking west. Circles mark homes lost. Arrow points to dwellings on Valley View Drive behind the Fire Station.

Topanga Historical Society leaders

Topanga Historical Society Presidents Ken York, Gerry Haigh, and Buz Tarlow with Louise York, editor of "The Topanga Story."

Topanga Highway in the S-Turns

Topanga Highway in the S-Turns. Cars took over after the road was rebuilt in 1915.

Topanga Highway descends into the Valley

The new Topanga Highway descends into the San Fernando Valley, as shown on the Acknowledgements page of The Topanga Story.

Topanga Highway descends into San Fernando Valley

Topanga Highway descends into San Fernando Valley. The marker near the sign for Girard (later Woodland Hills) is the LA city boundary.

Topanga General Store and Post Office

Topanga General Store owner Irvin "Smitty" Smith chats with customers on the porch.

Topanga General Store and Post Office

Topanga General Store and Post Office operated out of a pioneer's frame house, where Pine Tree Circle is today.

Topanga firemen, 1943

Topanga firemen: Captain Harvey Anderson, Jimmie Hansen, E. W. Monkman, Fred Van Syrc, and Captain Des Barton.

Topanga firemen in front of Forestry Station

Topanga firemen in front of Forestry Station. SEATED: Jack Albright, Albert Carroll, Bill Santa Maria, Jack Connors, Bud Currier, Floyd Cunningham, Slim Pressler, Bob Butler. STANDING: Al Weinart, Cecil Gehr, Art Bishop, Freddy Stevenson, Jack…

Topanga Explorers, Kelp Devils at Topanga Beach

Topanga Scout Post 220: Topanga Explorers, Kelp Devils (Sea Scouts), go skin diving in homemade wetsuits at Topanga Beach. STANDING: Bill Sloan (post committee member), George Schreder, Jon Sloan, Rick Hass, Tom Lennan, Star Soderstrom, Mark Squiers,…

Topanga Elementary School's international shelf, circa 2000

Topanga Elementary School library had a rotating international display created by teacher Ann Stalcup. It featured countries like Egypt, Mexico, Germany, and Peru.

Topanga Elementary School's Christmas decorations, 1988

Topanga Elementary School auditorium's 1988 Christmas decorations were created by teachers Ann Stalcup and Carolyn Tokunaga.

Topanga Elementary School, Track and Field Day

Topanga Elementary School, Track and Field Day, organized by Marathon world-record holder Jacqueline Hansen.