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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…
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…
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…
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.
Oka Stewart gets a hand from son Bert after his clown act
Oka Stewart gets a hand from son Bert after performing the clown act he'd learned in his circus days. In costume, he'd pretend to fall off the high-diving board into the swimming pool at Camp Wildwood.
Oka Stewart, ham radio operator
Oka Stewart was a ham radio operator. During World War II, he relayed messages from service men and women all over the USA. He was also useful to firefighters during the many fires in Topanga. He had a portable unit in his car and could relay…
Oka Stewart's ham radio card, W6CAR
Oka Stewart was a ham radio operator. During World War II, he relayed messages from service men and women all over the USA. He was also useful to firefighters during the many fires in Topanga. He had a portable unit in his car and could relay…
Circus friends Oka Stewart, Bert Goodrich, Forrest Stroupee
Circus friends Oka Stewart, Bert Goodrich, and Forrest Stroupee were known as The Three Jacks.
Oka Stewart (top) performs with Goodrich Aerial Artists
Oka Stewart (top) performs a handstand on a tower with Goodrich Aerial Artists, a circus troupe. Hanging below him are Bert Goodrich, Forrest Stroupee, Peggy Hale, and Trixie Ruddell.
Oka Stewart (center) with his high school radio club
Oka Stewart (center) organized the Radio Club and served as its president at Tempe Union High School in Arizona.
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.
Jim Talmadge's car is parked by Marinos' Seafood
This 1936 Duesenberg Dual Cowl Phaeton belonged to Buster Keaton's son, Jim Talmadge, who grew up on Las Tunas Beach. The buildings in background are Marinos' Seafood Restaurant and the home of Charles and Eleanor Potter on the hill.
Potter's Topanga Trading Post and LA Athletic Club office
Potter's Topanga Trading Post and the Los Angeles Athletic Club office later merged to become the Malibu Feed Bin.
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.
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…
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…
Arthur Kennedy, Kirk Douglas hitchhike to Topanga Beach
Actors Arthur Kennedy and Kirk Douglas hitchhike to Topanga Beach in the film "Champion" (1949).
Kirk Douglas and Ruth Roman flirt at The Step Inn Cafe
Actors Kirk Douglas and Ruth Roman flirt at The Step Inn Cafe in the film "Champion" (1949).
The Step Inn Cafe appears in the film "Champion" (1949)
The Step Inn Cafe appears in the film "Champion" (1949). Actors Arthur Kennedy and Kirk Douglas are seen walking to the entrance.
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.
Dorothy Lilley walks daughter Sue on W. Topanga Beach Rd.
Dorothy Lilley walks daughter Sue on the family car on W. Topanga Beach Rd.
Bill and Ruth Wylie's Bait and Tackle shop, 1946
Bill and Ruth Wylie's Bait and Tackle shop. They lived in the house in back. The employee in the photo is unidentified.
West Topanga Beach Road, 18622 to 18722
West Topanga Beach Road was a private driveway serving the homes 18622 to 18722.
Actress Natalie Talmadge's house on Las Tunas Beach
A lit cigarette, left on the couch, set ablaze the Las Tunas Beach house of actress Natalie Talmadge (1896-1969) on September 25, 1943, at 2:30 a.m. Fire Captain Tom Cheney concluded this because the couch burned through the floor.
Natalie’s…
Natalie’s…
An XB-19 bomber plane flies over Topanga Beach
An XB-19 bomber plane flies over Topanga Beach. At the time this postcard was mailed, 1943, the bomber was the third largest airplane in the world.
Aerial view of Topanga Beach, 1940
An aerial view of Topanga Beach shows the auto court motel, Topanga Lane, and the Rodeo Grounds.
Frances Spence and Edna May Spence at Spence's Cabins
Frances Spence and Edna May Spence in the backyard behind Spence's Cabins
Potter's Topanga Trading Post, 1940s
A dog sits in front of Potter's Topanga Trading Post (later, the Malibu Feed Bin).
Proposal for development at Topanga Beach, 1949
This 1949 proposal for development at Topanga Beach recommended demolishing the houses and building a boardwalk.
Five men in bathing suits sit on Topanga Beach
Five men in bathing suits sit on Topanga Beach: Jake Fields, unknown, unknown, Louis Ranberg, and Thomas Spence.
Kathleen Kay and Jack Gardiner, 1938 fire refugees
Kathleen Kay (18006 Roosevelt Highway) and Jack Gardiner (18028 Roosevelt Highway) lost their homes in the 1938 fire. They fled in a car packed with furniture and belongings.
Evening Outlook Race trophies won by Topanga Yacht Club
Fifteen sailors finished the first Evening Outlook Trophy Race, on Sunday, September 2, 1934. Seven were members of the Topanga Yacht Club (names in bold below). The winner was presented a bronze trophy by "beach beauty" Marilyn Connon. Others…
The DeWitts and the Woods at Fernwood Market (2/2)
Iky DeWitt, Bob DeWitt, Lannis Wood, Jerry Maren (Munchkin from "The Wizard of Oz"), Bobby DeWitt, Karen Wood, Lynn Wood, Betsy DeWitt at the Fernwood Market and Jane Gentle's bookstore The Treasure Chest.
Gold rings by Cy and Vera Wood
Gold rings by Cy and Vera Wood (CYVRA) depict a mask, a horse, and an Indian.
Harry Marinos owned Marinos’ Seafood Restaurant
Harry Marinos owned Marinos’ Seafood Restaurant at Topanga Beach. He was a Greek immigrant whose real name was Aristides Marinos. The Raft and The Reel Inn were later built there.
Menu for The Point restaurant, Malibu (Marinos' Point)
Menu for The Point restaurant, Malibu (Marinos' Point). The Chart House and Mastro's Ocean Club would later be built on this spot.
Barefoot Topanga Beach fishermen show off their fish
Barefoot Topanga Beach fishermen show off their fish. The man on the right is Greek immigrant John Foundoukos.
Lower Topanga kids on Topanga Canyon Lane
Lower Topanga kids take a group photo at the Rusts’ house on Topanga Canyon Lane.
FRONT:
Edna Mae Spence, Marilyn Burns, Bill Hoskins, Joyce Wiard, Mary Miller, Thais Rust, unknown, unknown.
MIDDLE:
unknown, Marvelle McClellan, Avis…
FRONT:
Edna Mae Spence, Marilyn Burns, Bill Hoskins, Joyce Wiard, Mary Miller, Thais Rust, unknown, unknown.
MIDDLE:
unknown, Marvelle McClellan, Avis…
Bill Sykes with his children Beverly and Dave
Bill Sykes lies in the sand with his children Beverly and Dave at their house on Topanga Beach,
Thais Rust feeds her dog at Brookside.
Thais Rust feeds her dog while her family eats breakfast on a picnic bench at Brookside.
Entrance to Topanga
Entrance to Topanga shows Step Inn Cafe, Shell gas Station, Rust's Barbecue restaurant, Los Angeles Athletic Club office, and fire station.
Clayton Rust moved his family's house to Brookside
Clayton Rust moved his family's house out of the way of the 1933 bridge construction, from Topanga Canyon Lane to Brookside (3427 Topanga Canyon Blvd.). In the photo, the house is still propped up after reaching its destination.
Entrance to Topanga, looking towards beach
Entrance to Topanga, looking towards beach, shows Shell gas station and Rust's Barbecue restaurant,
A boy rides a horse by Shriner's Wayside Stand
A boy rides a horse by Shriner's Wayside Stand. He is being watched by Lucie Loggins, who bought the restaurant and renamed it Step Inn Cafe.
Mary Kays sits in car next to fire station
Mary Kays sits in car next to fire station and Los Angeles Athletic Club office that became Malibu Feed Bin. Her sister was Ina Rust.
Entrance to Topanga
Entrance to Topanga shows Shell Gas Station, Rust's Barbecue, Los Angeles Athletic Club office, fire station, and Potter's Store.
Back view of Lower Topanga business center
Back view of Lower Topanga business center shows fire station, Los Angeles Athletic Club office and Rust's Barbecue
Sign points to "Dangerous Drop-Off" at entrance to Topanga
Sign points to "Dangerous Drop-Off" at road construction (for the 1933 bridge) at the entrance to Topanga. Shell gas station, Los Angeles Athletic Club office, and Potter's Store are in the background.
Potter's Store was rebuilt as a sturdy one-story building
Potter's Store was rebuilt as a sturdy one-story building, but the rains of 1938 created a bigger mudslide that pushed it all the way into the street. Charles Potter salvaged the lumber and rebuilt his store again, this time across the street, giving…
Paxson's Cafe, owned by Frank and Myrtle Paxson
Paxson's Cafe, owned by Frank and Myrtle Paxson. Their daughter Blanche married Roy Rust. The Chart House and Mastro's Ocean Club were later built on this spot.
Picnic at Fred and Cleo Wendill's house in Brookside
Picnic at Fred and Cleo Wendill's house in Brookside. Cleo was the cousin of Clayton Rust.
Shady Lane runs by Josiah Thrasher's house, at right
Shady Lane runs by Josiah Thrasher's house, at right. Josiah was Ina Rust's father, and a pioneer of Van Nuys.
Waitresses at Rust's Barbecue restaurant (2/2)
Waitresses at Rust's Barbecue restaurant: Mabel, Dolly, and Cleo Wendill.
Waitresses at Rust's Barbecue restaurant (1/2)
Waitresses at at Rust's Barbecue restaurant: Dolly, Ina Rust, Mabel, and Cleo Wendill.
Cows graze by Josiah Thrasher's house on Shady Lane
Cows graze by Josiah Thrasher's house on Shady Lane. Josiah was Ina Rust's father, and a pioneer of Van Nuys.
Three women at the Step Inn Cafe
Three women at the Step Inn Cafe stand in front of 1937 Dodge and 1932 Buick cars.
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.
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