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Potter's Store, aka "The Skyscraper," hit by a mudslide (4/4)
Potter's Store at Topanga Beach was nicknamed "The Skyscraper." After it was damaged by floods, Charles Potter rebuilt it, then moved it across the street, and renamed it Potter's Topanga Trading Post. On the second floor was the office of the Title…
Entrance to Topanga, 1931
Entrance to Topanga shows Shriner’s Wayside Stand restaurant, Shell Gas Station, and Potter's Store
A dancer and drummer perform at the Reggae Picnic
A dancer and drummer perform at the Reggae Picnic at Theatricum Botanicum.
Inner Secrets band performs at the Reggae Picnic
Inner Secrets band performs at the Reggae Picnic at Theatricum Botanicum
Joy Patterson and Gidget participate in fashion show
Joy Patterson and Gidget participate in fashion show at the Community House.
Gidget, Cecil, Prince, and Emmareighn Zapata at Hillbillyhip
Gidget at her Hillbillyhip vintage-clothing store with husband Cecil Zapata and their children Prince and Emmareighn.
Gidget sells flowers from her Edible Peddler
Gidget sells flowers from her Edible Peddler trailer to Leslie and Kristen Carlson.
Gidget sells strawberries at her Edible Peddler trailer (1/2)
Gidget sells strawberries at her Edible Peddler trailer with Cynthia Aylesworth, in front of the Topanga Home Grown boxcar.
Gidget sells strawberries at her Edible Peddler trailer (2/2)
Gidget sells strawberries at her Edible Peddler trailer with Cynthia Aylesworth.
Oka Stewart sails in Evening Outlook Perpetual Trophy Race
On September 1, 1935, the second annual Evening Outlook Perpetual Trophy Race was held on a 12-mile course that went from the Santa Monica Pier to Topanga Beach and back. The prize was custody for one year of the 36-inch bronze perpetual trophy, and…
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.
Boy Scout house on Trippet Ranch covered by snow, 1949
The Boy Scout house on Trippet Ranch was a Quonset hut, near the start of Musch Trail. It survived the 1948 fire because it was made of metal. In 1949, it was covered by snow.
Oka Stewart's Topanga Yacht Club sailboat
Oka Stewart's Topanga Yacht Club sailboat. His boats were Imp, Starlite, and Marlin. The man in the water is probably him. He sometimes raced with his son Bert for ballast.
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).
Potter's Store, aka "The Skyscraper," hit by a mudslide (3/4)
Potter's Store at Topanga Beach was nicknamed "The Skyscraper." After it was damaged by floods, Charles Potter rebuilt it, then moved it across the street, and renamed it Potter's Topanga Trading Post. On the second floor was the office of the Title…
Potter's Store, aka "The Skyscraper," hit by a mudslide (2/4)
Potter's Store at Topanga Beach was nicknamed "The Skyscraper." After it was damaged by floods, Charles Potter rebuilt it, then moved it across the street, and renamed it Potter's Topanga Trading Post. On the second floor was the office of the Title…
Potter's Store, aka "The Skyscraper," hit by a mudslide (1/4)
Potter's Store at Topanga Beach was nicknamed "The Skyscraper." After it was damaged by floods, Charles Potter rebuilt it, then moved it across the street, and renamed it Potter's Topanga Trading Post. On the second floor was the office of the Title…
A couple stands by the chimney of their house lost to fire
A man and woman stand by the chimney of the house at Brookside that they lost to the 1938 fire.
Lucille Way searches the ruins of Marmont Studio after a fire
Lucille Way searches the ruins of Marmont Studio in Brookside after the 1938 fire. Her sister was the owner, Laura Way Mathiesen.
Laura Way searches the ruins of Marmont Studio after a fire
A woman searches the ruins of Marmont Studio in Brookside after the 1938 fire. She is probably the owner, Laura Way Mathiesen, whose paintings were burned.
Aerial view of Topanga Beach, 1938
Aerial view of Topanga Beach shows the motel, Topanga Lagoon, Old Malibu Road, Topanga Lane, Shady Lane, and the Rodeo Grounds.
Topographical Sheet map, 1933
Topographical Sheet map shows houses on Topanga Beach and Las Tunas Beach.
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.
Where Topango Creek meets the ocean
"Where Topango Creek meets the ocean".... The view shows the last turn before the Topanga Lagoon
A diver searches for the Ameco, off Topanga Beach
A diver searches for the Ameco, off Topanga Beach.
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.
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.
Divers searched here for the Ameco, off Topanga Beach
Divers searched here for the Ameco, off Topanga Beach
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.
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.
Cartoon shows a giant wave strike the Ameco
Cartoon shows a giant wave strike the Ameco as it wallows in a sea trough.
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.
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.
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.
The fishing boat Ameco sank off Topanga Beach, killing 16
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
Spence's Cabins motel sign on the Pacific Coast Highway points to Topanga Lane.
Marion Spence, unknown, Florence Spence by a trailer
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Florence, William , and daughter Edna Mae Spence with dog Skippy at Spence's Cabins motel on Topanga Lane.
Saxifragaceae and Chaparral Currant
Saxifragaceae and Chaparral Currant (Ribes malvaceum var. viridifolium) plants.
Norton Wisdom's art studio in the Snake Pit
A painting and sculptures decorate Norton Wisdom's art studio in the Snake Pit.
Surfers Mike Perry and Craig Halley sit on a fence
Mike Perry and Craig Halley sit on a fence on Topanga Beach Road.
Aricia Halley, Woody Stuart, Carole Winter, Mike Perry
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
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.
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
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
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
Woody Woodward, John Murphy (J. Murf), and Jeff Horseman in the Topanga Beach parking lot
The Turning Point Ramp became a dome house
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
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
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
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
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,…
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