Browse Items (3726 total)
Sort by:
The creek floods cars across from people on Topanga Lane
The creek floods and wrecks cars across from people on Topanga Lane.
A goat walks by a Topanga Lane house damaged by the flood
Ingrid Lindquist's goat walks by her Topanga Lane house that was damaged by the flood.
Ingrid: "I had two goats that survived the flood... just barely. I had put them in my horse trailer for the night because their pen was deep with mud. When my…
Ingrid: "I had two goats that survived the flood... just barely. I had put them in my horse trailer for the night because their pen was deep with mud. When my…
Vance Hoyt on Red Rock Trail
Vance Hoyt on Red Rock Trail, near his home. He arrived in Topanga in 1910.
Katherine's Kitchen Collapses
Boards support Katherine's Kitchen at the entrance to Sylvia Park, weakened by storms in the early 1930s. It collapsed soon afterward.
Saint Jarlath's Catholic Church Altar Society tea
Saint Jarlath's Catholic Church Altar Society tea: Elinor Covington, Lillian McCarter, Winnie Watkins, Dora Bruyere, Mae Conners, two unknowns, Ann Allen, Nora Collins, two unknowns, Father Gallagher, and Mrs. Shaw (seated).
Gail McDonald-Tune sits in the living room of her house
Gail McDonald-Tune sits in the living room of the house that the people of Topanga helped her to build after her husband, Russell Tune, died.
Serena Wiley and Jimmy Wiley smile on the Trujillo Ranch
Serena Wiley and Jimmy Wiley stand together on the Trujillo Ranch. Jimmy, a descendant of the homesteading Trujillo family, wears a straw hat.
The creek cuts off Topanga Lane and the Rodeo Grounds
Topanga Creek cuts off Topanga Lane and the Rodeo Grounds after a flood.
Darrell Giddens rides a tire swing over the creek
Darrell Giddens rides a tire swing over the creek at Topanga Lane after a flood. Maria Nation and Bonnie Vincent watch.
Bobby, Jan, Ronne, and Jim share snacks and wine
Bobby Buchanan, Jan Michael-Vincent, Ronne Troup, and Jim Ganzer share snacks and a jug of wine at Topanga Beach.
Torger Johnson crouches under the lip of a wave
Surfer Torger Johnson crouches under the lip of a wave at Topanga Beach.
Topanga Creek runs in front of The Yellow House
Topanga Creek runs in front of The Yellow House at Topanga Beach. People and dogs walk on the beach.
A flood damages Paul Lovas's house in The Snake Pit, 1/2
Paul Lovas's house in The Snake Pit is damaged by the flood and boarded up. A surfboard lies in the mud.
Two surfers ride a wave a Topanga Beach
Two surfers ride a wave a Topanga Beach. One of them is in the tube.
Paul Lovas flexes his muscles with Rudy Croon
Surfer Paul Lovas flexes his muscles under the Topanga Beach lifeguard tower with the lifeguard Rudy Croon, in a still from a home movie. Paul is the author of "Topanga Beach Experience: 1960s-70s" (Brass Tacks Press, 2011).
Doug Meredith's Topanga Beach house
Doug Meredith moved downstairs around 1961. He married Reva Berry, and they later moved to New Zealand.
Bob Barrow's Topanga Beach house
Bob Barrow, a teacher at John Adams Middle School, lived here.
The previous owner was Lorraine [SURNAME?]. She had two young boys, and they moved to Serra Retreat in Malibu in 1963.
The previous owner was Lorraine [SURNAME?]. She had two young boys, and they moved to Serra Retreat in Malibu in 1963.
Michael Hamilburg's Topanga Beach house
Michael Hamilburg, a literary agent, lived here.
In the early 1960s, Royce Diener and his son Rob used the house for vacations. Royce was married to Wilhelmina Rentmeester, the sister of Coliene and Co.
In the early 1960s, Royce Diener and his son Rob used the house for vacations. Royce was married to Wilhelmina Rentmeester, the sister of Coliene and Co.
John and Foster Sherwood's Topanga Beach house
Brothers John and Foster Sherwood lived at 18638 W. Topanga Beach Rd.
In the 1960s, Eddie Saenz, a former football player with the Washington Redskins, lived there with his wife Helen and their children Timmy, Nicky, Eddie, Felix, Liza, Peter,…
In the 1960s, Eddie Saenz, a former football player with the Washington Redskins, lived there with his wife Helen and their children Timmy, Nicky, Eddie, Felix, Liza, Peter,…
Sig Wingard's Topanga Beach house
Sig and Paulina Wingard lived on Topanga Beach with their children Jarnell and Eddie.
From 1941-1954, Louis and Evelyn Franklin owned the house, and used it on weekends with their children Lawrence “Larry,” Samuel “Sam,” and Elizabeth “Beth.”
From 1941-1954, Louis and Evelyn Franklin owned the house, and used it on weekends with their children Lawrence “Larry,” Samuel “Sam,” and Elizabeth “Beth.”
Lloyd Ahern's Topanga Beach house
Lloyd Ahern lived in The Yellow House.
In the 1950s-1960s, William A. Roach lived there with his wife and son Tim.
From 1940 until about 1946, Edward Carrere lived there with his wife Helen and son Leon Robert “Bobby” Carrere.
The earliest…
In the 1950s-1960s, William A. Roach lived there with his wife and son Tim.
From 1940 until about 1946, Edward Carrere lived there with his wife Helen and son Leon Robert “Bobby” Carrere.
The earliest…
Darrell Giddens rides his horse Halifu on Topanga Lane
Stuntman Darrell Giddens rides his horse Halifu (Swahili for "disobedient," or close to that) on Topanga Lane.
Lower Topanga teenagers take a photo on Topanga Beach
Lower Topanga teenagers take a group photo on Topanga Beach: Mia Matsura, Angel Kershner, Lily Van Meter, and Moonstar Greene.
The Yellow House was burned by surfers, 3/6
Surfers burn down The Yellow House to spare it the indignity of being bulldozed after State Parks took over Topanga Beach.
A car is buried in mud across from Frank Lamonea's house
A car is buried in mud across from Frank Lamonea's house, 3928 Topanga Lane, after a flood in The Snake Pit.
Matt Lasky's house floods at 3861 Topanga Lane
Matt Lasky in a wetsuit stands in water as his house floods at 3861 Topanga Lane.
Cars are buried in mud after a flood in The Snake Pit
Cars and a surfboard are buried in mud after a flood in The Snake Pit.
Lesli Hamilton and J. Murf hug on Topanga Beach
Lesli Hamilton and J. Murf hug on Topanga Beach. He is shirtless. He is the leader of the surf-rock band Blue Juice.
J. Murf's house on Old Malibu Road
J. Murf's house on 3960 1/2 Old Malibu Road has turquoise-trim windows.
Carole Winter and Shane McMahon hug by burned houses
Carole Winter wears a swimsuit and sits on the railing of Sid and Marge Bernstein's burned house on Topanga Beach. Shane McMahon hugs her. The house next door is also burned.
View from the Topanga Beach parking lot shows big waves
Surfers ride big waves. The Yellow House (at right) is one of the last Topanga Beach houses still standing. Cars park in a newly created parking lot, where the houses along PCH have already been demolished.
A house and a car are damaged after a flood in The Snake Pit
A house and a car are damaged after a flood in The Snake Pit. The back of the Topanga Ranch Motel is at left.
Norton Wisdom rides a wave on a windsurfing board
Lifeguard Norton Wisdom rides a wave on a windsurfing board at Topanga Beach.
Shaun Tomson hits the lip of a wave at Topanga Beach
The 1977 World Surfing Champion Shaun Tomson hits the lip of a wave at Topanga Beach.
A bulldozer demolishes the first lifeguard tower, 2/3
A bulldozer demolishes the first lifeguard tower, Paul Randall's former Topanga Beach house.
A high tide floods Topanga Beach
A high tide floods Topanga Beach near the lifeguard tower. The Chart House is at right.
Craig Halley rides a wave on a windsurfing board
Craig Halley rides a wave on a windsurfing board at Topanga Beach. A seagull flies by in the foreground.
Porsches are parked in the driveway in The Rodeo Grounds
Cars (Super 90 and 911 Porsches) are parked in the driveway of J. Murf and Mike Gray at 3719 Rodeo Grounds.
A surfer rides a wave in an offshore wind with fog
A surfer rides a wave in an offshore wind. Fog obscures the Santa Monica skyline.
A VW Beetle is buried in the mud of the Topanga Lagoon
A Volkswagen Beetle car is buried in the mud of the Topanga Lagoon after a flood.
A bulldozer demolishes the first lifeguard tower, 3/3
A bulldozer demolishes the first lifeguard tower, Paul Randall's former Topanga Beach house. A dump truck waits in the background.
Murf, Mike, and Jan's house at 3727 Rodeo Grounds
A motorcycle and a Super 90 Porsche car are parked outside of the house of J. Murf, Mike Gray, and Jan-Michael Vincent at 3727 Rodeo Grounds.
Bonnie Vincent sits in the yard at 3727 Rodeo Grounds
Bonnie Poorman Vincent sits in the yard of the house at 3727 Rodeo Grounds.
Paul Randall and Robbie Dick carry surfboards
Paul Randall and Robbie Dick carry surfboards on Topanga Beach.
Mary Ann and Sissy Voriotis stand under the lifeguard tower
Mary Ann [SURNAME?] and Sissy Voriotis hold a boogie board under the Topanga Beach lifeguard tower.
J. Shusterman painting, "Topanga Beach," 1998
J. Shusterman's painting "Topanga Beach" shows crooked trees, sunbathers, and the ocean.
James Doolin painting, "Topanga Creek in Autumn," 1971
James Doolin's painting "Topanga Creek in Autumn" shows the Brookside area.
James Mathers paintings, "Hot Dog" and "Ant," c. 1980
James Mathers painted surfboards, "Hot Dog" and "Ant," shaped by Nathan Pratt, were exhibited in the show "Dogtown and the Legendary Z-Boys" at the California Heritage Museum (June 30 – October 27, 2024).
A dog is chained to a station wagon in the Snake Pit
A dog is chained to a station wagon car in the Snake Pit, behind the Topanga Ranch Motel.
James Mathers's house in The Snake Pit, 1/5
Olive the cat lies on a rug by a bathtub in the bathroom of James Mathers's house at 3948 Topanga Lane in The Snake Pit.
James Mathers's house in The Snake Pit, 2/5
James Mathers's stove is visible in the kitchen of his house at 3948 Topanga Lane in The Snake Pit.
James Mathers's house in The Snake Pit, 3/5
Reed Bernstein holds a bottle and leans in the doorway of James Mathers's house at 3948 Topanga Lane in The Snake Pit.
James Mathers's house in The Snake Pit, 4/5
Clothes are strewn over the chairs of the dining table at James Mathers's house at 3948 Topanga Lane in The Snake Pit. His artworks hang on the wall.
James Mathers's house in The Snake Pit, 5/5
Two paintings hang in the red bedroom of James Mathers's house at 3948 Topanga Lane in The Snake Pit. One shows water lilies. The other shows a naked woman lying on a bed in combat boots.
Vines cover Norton Wisdom's gate in The Snake Pit
Reed Bernstein carries a grocery bag through the vine-covered gate to Norton Wisdom's house at 3948 Topanga Lane in The Snake Pit.
James Mathers painting, "Adam and Eve," early 2000s
James Mathers's painting, "Adam and Eve," shows an angel expelling the sinners from the Garden of Eden with a flaming sword. There are several allusions to The Rodeo Grounds, which was evicted by State Parks. These include a deer in the arundo…
James Mathers painting, "Phantom of the Rodeo Grounds"
James Mathers's painting "Phantom of the Rodeo Grounds" shows the artist returning to the site of his former home at 3726 Rodeo Grounds at night after the eviction of the Lower Topanga community by State Parks. Nasturtium flowers and arundo bamboo…
James Mathers drawing, "Herb Bermann," 2003
James Mathers drew portraits of the poets in the anthology "Idlers of the Bamboo Grove: Poetry from Lower Topanga Canyon" edited by Pablo Capra (Brass Tacks Press, 2002). The poets wrote about the eviction of their community by State Parks. Herb…
James Mathers drawing, "Robert Campbell," 2002
James Mathers drew portraits of the poets in the anthology "Idlers of the Bamboo Grove: Poetry from Lower Topanga Canyon" edited by Pablo Capra (Brass Tacks Press, 2002). The poets wrote about the eviction of their community by State Parks.
James Mathers drawing, "Michele Capra" 2002
James Mathers drew portraits of the poets in the anthology "Idlers of the Bamboo Grove: Poetry from Lower Topanga Canyon" edited by Pablo Capra (Brass Tacks Press, 2002). The poets wrote about the eviction of their community by State Parks.
James Mathers drawing, "Pablo Capra," 2002
James Mathers drew portraits of the poets in the anthology "Idlers of the Bamboo Grove: Poetry from Lower Topanga Canyon" edited by Pablo Capra (Brass Tacks Press, 2002). The poets wrote about the eviction of their community by State Parks.
James Mathers drawing, "David Hayward," 2002
James Mathers drew portraits of the poets in the anthology "Idlers of the Bamboo Grove: Poetry from Lower Topanga Canyon" edited by Pablo Capra (Brass Tacks Press, 2002). The poets wrote about the eviction of their community by State Parks.
James Mathers drawing, "Catherine Holliss," 2002
James Mathers drew portraits of the poets in the anthology "Idlers of the Bamboo Grove: Poetry from Lower Topanga Canyon" edited by Pablo Capra (Brass Tacks Press, 2002). The poets wrote about the eviction of their community by State Parks.
James Mathers drawing, "Bond Johnson" 2002
James Mathers drew portraits of the poets in the anthology "Idlers of the Bamboo Grove: Poetry from Lower Topanga Canyon" edited by Pablo Capra (Brass Tacks Press, 2002). The poets wrote about the eviction of their community by State Parks.
James Mathers drawing, "Frank Lamonea," 2002
James Mathers drew portraits of the poets in the anthology "Idlers of the Bamboo Grove: Poetry from Lower Topanga Canyon" edited by Pablo Capra (Brass Tacks Press, 2002). The poets wrote about the eviction of their community by State Parks.
James Mathers drawing, "Self-Portrait," 2002
James Mathers drew portraits (including his own) of the poets in the anthology "Idlers of the Bamboo Grove: Poetry from Lower Topanga Canyon" edited by Pablo Capra (Brass Tacks Press, 2002). The poets wrote about the eviction of their community by…
James Mathers drawing, "Daisy Duck McCrackin," 2002
James Mathers drew portraits of the poets in the anthology "Idlers of the Bamboo Grove: Poetry from Lower Topanga Canyon" edited by Pablo Capra (Brass Tacks Press, 2002). The poets wrote about the eviction of their community by State Parks.
James Mathers painting, "Rodeo Grounds Car," c. 1999
James Mathers's painting shows a car parked by bamboo (arundo) on the dirt road in The Rodeo Grounds.
James Mathers painting, "Hummingbird," c. 1999
James Mathers's painting shows a hummingbird perched on a Yucca plant on the hill above The Rodeo Grounds.
James Mathers painting, "Rodeo Grounds at Night," c. 1999
James Mathers's painting shows the sky above The Rodeo Grounds at night, with the dark shapes of bamboo (arundo) and eucalyptus trees.
James Mathers painting, "Cottonwood Tree," c. 1999
James Mathers's painting shows the artist standing below the spirit in the Cottonwood Tree in The Rodeo Grounds.
James Mathers painting, "Sleeping Bag," 2017
James Mathers's painting "Sleeping Bag" shows where he slept in The Rodeo Grounds after the eviction of the Lower Topanga community by State Parks. Nasturtium flowers grow under a tree.
The painting was in "The Druids of Topanga," an art show at…
The painting was in "The Druids of Topanga," an art show at…
James Mathers painting, "Clown Hides," 2017
James Mathers's painting "Clown Hides" shows a clown hiding after the eviction of the Lower Topanga community by State Parks. Rangers walk in The Rodeo Grounds by nasturtium flowers and arundo bamboo.
The painting was in "The Druids of Topanga,"…
The painting was in "The Druids of Topanga,"…
James Mathers's painting, "Ghost Rabbit," 2017
James Mathers's painting "Ghost Rabbit" shows palm trees growing above Larry Payne's former house at 3907 Topanga Lane (The Snake Pit). Only stone walls remain after the eviction of the Lower Topanga community by State Parks.
The painting was in…
The painting was in…
The flood damages a car in The Snake Pit, 7/7
A pickup truck lies upside down in mud after a flood by the Snake Pit houses of Larry Payne (3904 Topanga Lane, above) and Ginger Kershner (3908 Topanga Lane, below). The owner had hoped to save it by chaining it to a tree.
Aerial View of Santa Ynez Canyon, 1970s?
Santa Ynez Canyon and Palisades Highlands aerial view, with Topanga at the upper left.
1980 Flood Topples House
House in the 700 block of Topanga Canyon Boulevard is toppled from its foundation by the February 1980 flood.
Poster for "Four Years After" by Jamie Budge (1972)
The blue poster/program for Jamie Budge’s surf film “Four Years After” (1972) uses drawings to illustrate its "classic coverage of four of the most fascinating years in surfing." The film would later be expanded and rereleased as "The Californians"…
"Attention: Reel Inn customers, please be aware of snakes"
A sign at the Reel Inn seafood restaurant (18661 PCH) says, "Attention: Reel Inn customers. It's the summer season, so please be aware of the wildlife that may be attracted to the outdoor patio. Be particularly aware of any snakes. We appreciate your…
Jane McDuffie Thurston painting, "Little Picnic in Topanga"
Jane McDuffie Thurston (1887-1967) painting, "Little Picnic in Topanga," depicts Topanga Lagoon, and the tents and cabins of Cooper's Camp in an Impressionistic style.
A family gathers at a roadside restaurant
A family gathers at a roadside restaurant that offers barbecue, hot dogs, Imperial Ice Cream, Eastside Beer, cider, and cold drinks.
Walter Oertel holds a flowering yucca plant
Walter Oertel holds a flowering yucca plant, while propping his foot on a boulder. Walter married Hedwig Schmidt, the daughter of beekeeper August Schmidt.
Stewart Levine, Emilie Smith, and Maria Nation sit on beach
Stewart Levine, Emilie Smith, and Maria Nation sit against the fence of Emilie's Topanga Beach house.
Teenagers hang out at George's Market
Emilie Smith, Stewart Levine, and Matt Lasky sit on the sidewalk in front of George's Market (across from Topanga Beach). Maria Nation walks by. An unknown teenager stands in the doorway by the gumball machines.
Sooki Raphael, fastest Topanga woman, runs the 10K
Sooki Raphael, fastest Topanga woman in the Tough Topanga 10K, won this category more than anyone.
Jean Appleton painting, "The Woodward House," 1960s
Jean Appleton's painting shows the deck of Woody Woodward's house with an American flag at Topanga Beach.
Sophia and Edith Ort sit in front of Jeff Ort's house
Sophia [SURNAME?] and Edith Ort sit on driftwood in front of the house of Edith's son, Jeff Ort.
Teresa Mix sits on the steps of Mickey Moriarty's house
Teresa Mix (Rodgers) sits on the steps of Mickey Moriarty's house, across from Topanga Beach.
View from Sid Bernstein's Topanga Beach house
The view from Sid Bernstein's Topanga Beach house shows a garden of potted plants, a surfboard leaning on a fence, and a surfer riding a wave in an offshore wind.
Featured Item
No featured items are available.