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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…
Ami Kirby, Kathy Hitchcock, and Hillevi Storer
Topanga Cooperative Preschool leaders: President Ami Kirby, Kathy Hitchcock, and first long-term teacher Hillevi Storer.
Writer Carolyn See
Writer Carolyn See wrote many critically acclaimed books. She moved to Topanga in 1963, and speaks of her early days in the Canyon through the voice of Edith Langley in the 1987 novel "Golden Days."
Cinematographer Max Penner
Cinematographer Max Penner followed after his father John's profession. He is shown here on a film location in Cape Town, South Africa.
Jim Ganzer's collectible trading card
Jim Ganzer is one of surfing’s original “Big Daddies.” With his penchant for art, Jim worked in the States with stars like Mickey Dora and Lance Carson designing logos, and added his art direction to the legendary surfing magazine “Surf Guide.” His…
A window reflects Bill Cleary surfing at Topanga Beach
"Surf Guide" photographer Dick Gustafson captures a window reflection of Bill Cleary surfing a wave in front of his own house, 18658 W. Topanga Beach Rd.
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.
"An Interview with Jim Fitzpatrick," 1/2
Jim Fitzpatrick holds his surfboard in a photo from "An Interview with Jim Fitzpatrick" by Bill Cleary.
"An Interview with Jim Fitzpatrick," 2/2
Jim Fitzpatrick surfs a fast wave in a photo from "An Interview with Jim Fitzpatrick" by Bill Cleary.
Wes Armand is rescued from the flood, 1/7
Teacher Wes Armand and his daugther Thea, 3833 Topanga Canyon Lane, are rescued from the flood by being pulled over Topanga Creek in a basket.
Wes Armand is rescued from the flood, 6/7
Teacher Wes Armand and his daugther Thea, 3833 Topanga Canyon Lane, are rescued from the flood by being pulled over Topanga Creek in a basket.
Mike Payne nearly drowns in Topanga Creek flood
Mike Payne, 21, begins to slip under the raging Topanga Creek waters as he tries to cross from his home at 3727 Rodeo Grounds to safety. Mike Gray (in hat) and Roark McGonigle (behind Gray) rush to save him while a third man charges into the water…
Actor Rusty Lane is rescued from the flood, 1/3
Actor Rusty Lane is rescued from the flood by being pulled over Topanga Creek in a basket at Topanga Lane.
Wes Armand is rescued from the flood, 2/7
Teacher Wes Armand and his son Kurt, 3833 Topanga Canyon Lane, are rescued from the flood by being pulled over Topanga Creek in a basket.
Mike Saenz and Rick Hodgson stand on a wrecked VW van
This Volkswagen van was carried to Topanga Beach by the flooding creek. Mike Saenz, 18638 W. Topanga Beach Rd., and Rick Hodgson, 18702 PCH, climbed on top of the wrecked car.
Mailbox at Cheney Drive and Topanga Road
Mailbox at Cheney Drive and Topanga Road, a rustic barrel set on a post by Joe Santa Maria, was used by upper canyon residents.
Herb Thacker, John Puklus, Carl Pollard, and Danny Evelyn
South Shore Surf Club members Herb Thacker, John Puklus, Carl Pollard, and Danny Evelyn sit on the fence of John's Topanga Beach house, in this ad for Foss Foam Company surfboards.
Victoria Woodward investigates a wrecked VW van
Victoria Woodward, 9, investigates a Volkswagen van that was carried to Topanga Beach by the flooding creek.
Deputy sheriffs rescue residents from the flood
Deputy sheriffs rescue residents of Topanga Lane and The Rodeo Grounds from the flood by pulling them over Topanga Creek in a basket.
Driftwood from the flood clutters Topanga Beach
Driftwood from the flood clutters Topanga Beach. An arrow points to a Volkswagen van (VW van) that was carried there by the creek.
Ed Cummings ran the Enco gas station at Fernwood
Ed Cummings ran the Enco gas station at Fernwood in the late 1960s, and organized the Strawberry Festival. He lived in Greenleaf Canyon.
Don Hilston and Michael Horse in Pine Tree Circle
Don Hilston and Michael Horse in Pine Tree Circle during Topanga Days. Don Hilston was a contractor who leased space in the Messenger office. Michael Horse was a jeweler who leased Jon Raymond's old studio, and an actor whose first roles were: as…
Joe Ruzicka performs at the Country Fair
Joe Ruzicka of Old Topanga Canyon performs at the Country Fair
Beekeeper Russell Whittemore
Beekeeper Russell Whittemore won blue ribbons for his sage honey at the Los Angeles County Fair.
Harriet Swenson and her piano students
Harriet Swenson celebrates with her piano students as they are inducted into the Topanga chapter of Pi Mu. Michael Morales, Terri Scott, Sherry and Sheryl Gwaltney, Sharon Clow, unknown, Vicki Cepin, Harriet Swenson, Adrienne Just, Connie Clark,…
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.
Aerial view of Topanga Beach, circa 1979
Aerial view of Topanga Beach, circa 1979.
CLOSE-UP 1
The dirt lot was created by a fire and by the demolition of beach houses.
CLOSE-UP 2
The Malibu Feed Bin and Gulf gas station were at the intersection of Topanga Canyon Blvd. and…
CLOSE-UP 1
The dirt lot was created by a fire and by the demolition of beach houses.
CLOSE-UP 2
The Malibu Feed Bin and Gulf gas station were at the intersection of Topanga Canyon Blvd. and…
Halloween parade, Topanga Elementary School, 1966
Students participate in a Halloween parade at the Topanga Elementary School playground in 1966. Laurie Lanaro wears a witch costume. Her brother Perry Lanaro wears a Daniel Boone costume.
Halloween parade, Topanga Elementary School, 1966
Students participate in a Halloween parade at the Topanga Elementary School playground in 1966. Laurie Lanaro wears a witch costume. Her brother Perry Lanaro wears a Daniel Boone costume.
Anne Lanaro with kids Perry and Laurie on Webb Trail
Mrs. Lanaro with kids Perry and Laurie in front of their house on Webb Trail
Herta Ware, Will Geer, and Anne Lanaro at the parade
Grand Marshall Will Geer waits with ex-wife Herta Ware and Anne Lanaro for the start of the Topanga Days Parade.
Grand Marshall Will Geer at Topanga Days
Grand Marshall Will Geer presides at Topanga Days. Penny Peterson is next to him in a blue dress.
In the background are Jan Moore in a blue shirt, and Michelle Christensen with blond hair under the "Topanga Days" sign.
In the foreground is…
In the background are Jan Moore in a blue shirt, and Michelle Christensen with blond hair under the "Topanga Days" sign.
In the foreground is…
Anne Lanaro kisses a raccoon
Anne Lanaro kisses a raccoon. This is one of two orphaned raccoons that the Lanaro family raised.
Topanga Canyon, the Alps of Southern California
"Topanga Canyon, the Alps of Southern California" was a map and real estate brochure put out by William C. Carter, with contributions by Charles Crutcher and Ernest M. Wilson. It includes photos of Potter's Topanga Trading Post, Trippet Ranch, the…
Strawberry Festival Cash Report 1961
Strawberry Festival cash report by Everett T. Plumer August 17, 1961
John Sherwood surfs at Topanga Beach, 1970s
John Sherwood surfs at Topanga Beach on a Paul Lovas custom board.
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!"
Map of Topanga Beach, 1959
Detail of a map shows Topanga Beach, including The Rodeo Grounds, Topanga Lane, Shady Lane, and Topanga Beach Dr.
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 Jr. Bombers, whose patch showed a surfer in a Quasimodo stance. The artwork was drawn by Gary Baker.
George Demont Otis painting, "Topanga," c. 1920s
George Demont Otis painting, "Topanga," oil on canvas, 30" x 36 1/4".
George Demont Otis painting, "Topanga Canyon," c. 1923
George Demont Otis painting, "Topanga Canyon," c. 1923, oil on canvasboard, 12" x 16".
Boys raft Topanga Creek during the flood of 1975
Boys raft Topanga Creek during the flood of 1975: Edward Wingard, Michael Avatar, David Allard, and Jimmy Allard.
Megan Rice
Megan Rice with her book "A Brush with Cancer," which combines journal excerpts with images of her artwork.
The shipwreck of "Jeane Taggert" rests on Topanga Beach
A 67-foot, commercial, fishing boat, the "Jeane Taggert," rests on Topanga Beach after being stripped of all its useful gear. The boat hit the rocky point in the fog when its electronic navigation malfunctioned on August 5, 1969, at about 6:25 p.m.…
Sheila Kuehl, Pat Mac Neil, and Cruz Bustamante
State Senator Sheila Kuehl, Pat Mac Neil (being named State of California Woman of the Year), and Lt. Governor Cruz Bustamante.
Gordon Butcher painting, "Topanga Threads"
"Topanga Threads" painted by Gordon Butcher. This used clothing store in the Pine Tree Circle was owned by J. R. Ball.
Miki Dora surfs by a Topanga Beach porch with arundo
Miki Dora surfs a wave by a Topanga Beach porch with arundo and a wicker chair. The image is a still from the film "Topanga Style" by Scott Dittrich and Pablo Capra (2018), which includes vintage footage by Hal Jepsen and Grant Rohloff.
W. Topanga Beach Road, "Private Property, No Trespassing"
Signs say, "West Topanga Beach Road, 18622 to 18277. Private Property. No Trespassing. No Parking. Violators will be prosecuted by residents." Behind a fence, surfers enjoy the waves. The image is a still from the film "Topanga Style" by Scott…
A Volkswagen Beetle parks in front of Hal Jepsen's house
A Volkswagen Beetle, a convertible sports car, and a van are parked in front of Hal Jepsen's house on Topanga Canyon Blvd.
A hiking group walks down Topanga Canyon Blvd.
A hiking group walks down Topanga Canyon Blvd. to the Time Tunnel.
Mail carriers Jack Wood and Joe Robison
Post Office mail carriers Jack Wood and Joe Robison in the S-Turns. Mail carriers also transported passengers.
The Las Tunas Isle Motel has a sign on its roof
The Las Tunas Isle Motel has a sign on its roof. People and dogs walk on Las Tunas Beach. The image is a still from the film "Topanga Style" by Scott Dittrich and Pablo Capra (2018), which includes vintage footage by Hal Jepsen and Grant Rohloff.
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.
Jerry, Alice (mother), Larry, and Nancy Anderson
Jerry, Alice (mother), Larry, and Nancy Anderson at Topanga Beach.
An outdoor bed at Topangster Ranch
Three dogs guard an outdoor bed ("Mountain Bed") at Topangster Ranch in Old Topanga Canyon.
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…
Cave in the Santa Maria area
Hikers stand in a cave in the Santa Maria area, near where Native American pictographs were found.
Stella and Ed Ellis watch "The Old Topanga Incident" Fire, 1993
In the early hours of "The Old Topanga Incident" fire of 1993, Stella and Ed Ellis watching from Summit Valley are dwarfed by a mushroom cloud of smoke.
Viewridge Estates, fire company basecamp, 1993
Day 2 of the 1993 fire, fire companies from throughout the Western U.S. line up at the Viewridge Estates neighborhood.
TASC board members stand above Summit Valley
Topanga Association for a Scenic Community board members stand above Summit Valley. FRONT: Rabyn Blake, David Totheroh, Andrew Sheldon, Herbert Petermann. BACK: Ken Mazur and son, Ron Fomalont, Dan Larson, Steve Hoye, Roger Pugliese, Kay Austen, Joan…
Lizard
The common lizard is uncommonly beautiful in this photo, which won a National Park Service award.
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