Browse Items (3726 total)

Jean-Louis Bartoli sits in his yard at 3712 Rodeo Grounds

Jean-Louis Bartoli sits in an easy chair in his yard at 3712 Rodeo Grounds. He wears sunglasses.

James Mathers kisses Daisy Duck McCrackin by his trailer

James Mathers kisses Daisy Duck McCrackin in front of his airstream trailer at 3726 Rodeo Grounds. Christian Bergmann reads at right.

James Mathers plays the banjo in The Rodeo Grounds

James Mathers plays the banjo in his art studio at 3726 Rodeo Grounds. Behind him are paintings by Daisy Duck McCrackin. One is a portrait of him.

Never-Ending Costume Party at 3726 Rodeo Grounds, 2/6

Norton Wisdom and James Mathers (wearing a clown hat and a silver space suit) stand by Wisdom's performance painting at a "Never-Ending Costume Party" at 3726 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.

Pablo Capra stands by his greenhouse in The Rodeo Grounds

Pablo Capra wears a pink shirt and stands in the doorway of his greenhouse at 3712 Rodeo Grounds.

The Rodeo Grounds has a bent street sign

The Rodeo Grounds (private) has a bent street sign

Map of Lower Topanga shows houses set to be evicted, 2001

Topographical Map of Lower Topanga shows houses along Old Malibu Road, The Snake Pit, Topanga Lane, The Rodeo Grounds, and Topanga Canyon Blvd. Businesses are also shown along PCH. These structures were slated for eviction by State Parks.

The Rodeo Grounds bridge leads out of the neighborhood

Jean-Baptiste Fourault's sculptures are lined up in the yard

Jean-Baptiste Fourault's sculptures of tribal heads are lined up in the yard. His fluid, white sculpture is at right. A painting by James Mathers leans against the boarded-up house at 3726 Rodeo Grounds.

Paintings hang above the door of James Mathers's art studio

A painting of a woman by Michael Greene and a trapezoidal abstract painting by Norton Wisdom hang above the door in James Mathers's art studio at 3726 Rodeo Grounds.

Kristin Dittrich sits with her horse in The Rodeo Grounds

Kristin Dittrich sits with her horse in her yard at 3707 Rodeo Grounds. Her friends jump on her trampoline.

Gustav Alsina stands in front of his torn painting

Gustav Alsina stands in front of his torn painting of mountains at 3813 Topanga Canyon Blvd.

Herb Bermann sits in his bedroom at 3719 Rodeo Grounds

Herb Bermann sits in his bedroom at 3719 Rodeo Grounds. He is shirtless and wearing boxer shorts. Behind him are fans and a parasol.

Shane McMahon created a totem pole on Topanga Lane

Shane McMahon created a totem pole on the road at 3861 Topanga Lane out of license plates, sunglasses, CDs, and a bra.

Jeff Lunsford built additional rooms in The Rodeo Grounds

Jeff Lunsford built additional rooms onto his house, which was originally the garage at 3719 Rodeo Grounds.

A 90-day eviction letter is posted on Larry Payne's house

Elroy "Larry" Payne (Camouflage Construction) receives a 90-day notice to vacate from Richard Stewart (Pacific Relocation Consultants), a mediator for State Parks. The eviction letter is dated June 19, 2002, and stapled to Larry's house at 3907…

The Rodeo Grounds burned in the Palisades Fire

The entrance road descends into the The Rodeo Grounds, which burned in the 2025 Palisades Fire. The Moonfire Temple on top of the hill also burned.

The Chicken Coop ad, 1954

An ad for The Chicken Coop restaurant (18717 PCH) announces the opening of its new Rotisserie Room, featuring "the finest in barbecued foods served in our Dining Room and to take out." Arnold Ridgway and Lee Sharfman ran the business in the Rainbow…

Malibu Spic 'n' Span Cleaners ad, 1954

An ad for Malibu Spic 'n' Span Cleaners (18717 PCH) announces a "laundry drop provided in front for your convenience." It also has cartoon drawings of the owners, former police lieutenant Bob Birdsong and his wife Virginia Birdsong, who took over the…

Wylie's Bait & Tackle ad, Christmas 1952

A Christmas ad for Wylie's Bait & Tackle says...

For that young Nimrod's Xmax.
(And for older fishermen, too).

Hollow spun-glass ocean rod
Penn reel
200 yards of braided nylon line
All for $19.95

Wylie's
Most complete fresh and salt…

Danny Bearer watches George Trafton do a headstand

Danny Bearer, 14, looks back as George Trafton, 15, does a headstand while skating for the Hobie / Vita-Pakt Super Surfer skateboard team at the Covina Recreation Center. Danny won the grand prize at the event.

George Trafton jumps over a bar, Davey Hilton limbos under

George Trafton, 15, jumps over a bar and Davey Hilton, 12, limbos under it while skating before an audience for the Hobie / Vita-Pakt Super Surfer skateboard team.

George Trafton does a handstand while skateboarding

George Trafton, 15, does a handstand while skating for the Hobie / Vita-Pakt Super Surfer skateboard team.

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.

The Makaha skateboard team boards a plane to Hawaii

The Makaha skateboard exhibition team, wearing suits, boards a plane to Hawaii: Jim Ganzer (manager), Danny Bearer, Gregg Carroll, Joey Saenz, George Trafton, Scott Archer

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.

Katherine and John Amacher ran Topanga Beach Auto Court

Swiss immigrants Katherine Amacher and John Amacher owned the Topanga Beach Auto Court motel from 1937 to 1949. This photo was taken in Oregon, where they also managed the Winchester Auto Court and Rainbow Skating Rink.

Pat and Anne Marie Moore and Mark Beatie get flooded

Pat Moore, his wife Anne Marie Moore, and Mark Beatie walk across a flooded section of Topanga Canyon Blvd.

Membership invitation to the Sylvia Park Country Club

John D. Johnson receives a invitation letter from "M. Pitt" that says, "You have been selected to receive a Pioneer Membership [for worthwhile Ladies and Gentlemen] in the Sylvia Park Country Club, now being built." The letter features the…

Map of Bus Line 134 after the Palisades Fire, 2025, 2/2

Metro Bus Line 134, from Santa Monica to Malibu, resumed service after the 2025 Palisades Fire on February 28, 2025. The "December 15, 2024 REVISED" bus schedule shows the new route. It says, "Bus stops will not be served on PCH [for 10 miles] in…

Clutter fills James Mathers's studio at 3726 Rodeo Grounds

Paintings, furniture, and a drum clutter James Mathers's art studio at 3726 Rodeo Grounds.

People gather at a day party at 3726 Rodeo Grounds, 11/15

People take a group photo on the couch in the yard at James Mathers's party at 3726 Rodeo Grounds.

STANDING:
Jessica Williamson

SITTING:
Smael Laurent, Andrew Calder ("Project"), James Mathers

People gather at a day party at 3726 Rodeo Grounds, 10/15

People take a group photo in the yard at James Mathers's party at 3726 Rodeo Grounds.

James Mathers wears an orange scarf.
Erin Loggins ("Log") wears a red shirt.
Xavier Llongueras holds a bag.
Jessica Williamson raises her hands.
An unknown…

People gather at a day party at 3726 Rodeo Grounds, 9/15

Jessica Williamson (sitting in a wheelchair) and an unknown woman (with a dog) gather in the yard at James Mathers's party at 3726 Rodeo Grounds.

People gather at a day party at 3726 Rodeo Grounds, 8/15

People take a group photo in the yard at James Mathers's party at 3726 Rodeo Grounds.

CENTER:
James Mathers and Daisy Duck McCrackin.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP:
Jeffrey Indiana Schwartz ("Paperboy"), Ole Olofson, Xavier Llongueras, Austen Tate…

People gather at a day party at 3726 Rodeo Grounds, 7/15

An unknown woman and Xavier Llongueras sit in the yard at James Mathers's party at 3726 Rodeo Grounds.

People gather at a day party at 3726 Rodeo Grounds, 6/15

People take a group photo at James Mathers's party at 3726 Rodeo Grounds.

CENTER:
Smiley face, Austen Tate ("Baby Dinosaur"), James Mathers.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP:
Daisy Duck McCrackin, Robin Paz ("Lunch Lady"), Erin Loggins ("Log,"…

Lower Topanga residents meet at 3707 Rodeo Grounds, 1/2

Lower Topanga residents take a group photo in the yard of the Dittrich family at 3707 Rodeo Grounds. They are meeting about the eviction of their community by State Parks.

STANDING:
John Fowler, Unknown, Bernt Capra, Jori Listama, Unknown, John…

People gather at a day party at 3726 Rodeo Grounds, 5/15

Austen Tate ("Baby Dinosaur"), Jessica Williamson, and Robin Paz ("Lunch Lady") take a group photo in the yard at 3726 Rodeo Grounds. Austen sits on a swing.

Panorama of Topanga Beach, 2007

Panorama of Topanga Beach shows century plants, arundo bamboo, and a palm tree.

Never-Ending Costume Party at 3726 Rodeo Grounds, 1/6

Erin Loggins ("Log") wears an orange clown costume at a "Never-Ending Costume Party" by the firepit at 3726 Rodeo Grounds. Kendall Perkins ("Lyf") sits behind her.

People gather at a day party at 3726 Rodeo Grounds, 4/15

People take a group photo on a couch by the firepit at James Mathers's party at 3726 Rodeo Grounds.

BACK ROW:
Kendall Perkins ("Lyf").

FRONT ROW:
Daisy Duck McCrackin, Odessa [SURNAME?], Andrew Calder ("Project"), Austen Tate ("Baby…

People gather at a day party at 3726 Rodeo Grounds, 3/15

People sit on couches around the firepit in the yard at 3726 Rodeo Grounds.

Tim [SURNAME?] sits with Odessa [SURNAME?].
Jean-Louis Bartoli walks with an unknown woman.
Jeffrey Indiana Schwartz ("Paperboy") wears a newsboy cap.
Andrew Calder…

A helicopter flies away from the Topanga Beach bluff

A helicopter flies away from the Topanga Beach bluff with an accident victim as vehicles from the Los Angeles County Fire Department and paramedics stand by.

Yellow ladder leans on a blue house at 3726 Rodeo Grounds

A yellow ladder leans against a colorful house at 3726 Rodeo Grounds

Claude Bal built his art studio at 3726 Rodeo Grounds

Pablo Capra walks by Claude Bal's art studio at 3726 Rodeo Grounds. The bathroom shack is at left.

A castle painting hangs on the wall at 3726 Rodeo Grounds

Michael Greene's castle painting hangs on the wall of his house at 3726 Rodeo Grounds.

Pablo Capra leads David Blattel through The Rodeo Grounds

Pablo Capra guides photographer David Blattel as they walk on the dirt road in The Rodeo Grounds. Blattel was shooting a photo essay on the Lower Topanga community.

A bicycle leans against a guest house in The Rodeo Grounds

A double-decker bicycle leans against Lucas Capra's room at 3712 Rodeo Grounds.

Baretta stands by a tree stump in The Rodeo Grounds

Robert "Baretta" Overby stands on a dirt road by the stump of the cottonwood tree at the entrance to The Rodeo Grounds after the eviction of the Lower Topanga community by State Parks. Non-native plants like this tree were also uprooted.

Street signs show Topanga Canyon Blvd. and Rodeo Grounds

Street signs show the intersection of Topanga Canyon Blvd. and Rodeo Grounds (private).

A dirt road ascends from The Rodeo Grounds

A dirt road ascends from The Rodeo Grounds after the eviction of the Lower Topanga community by State Parks.

Topanga Creek flows under the Rodeo Grounds bridge, 3/3

Topanga Creek flows under the Rodeo Grounds bridge after the eviction of the Lower Topanga community by State Parks.

Big waves make lines as a set hits Topanga Beach

David Hayward plays trumpet in his living room

Jazz musician David Hayward plays trumpet in his living room at 2813 Topanga Canyon Blvd.

An bathtub is placed outside at 3739 Rodeo Grounds

An outdoor bathtub with a shower is embedded into a deck at the Murray family's house at 3739 Rodeo Grounds.

Jessica Williamson hikes on the hill in The Rodeo Grounds

Jessica Williamson hikes on the hill above The Rodeo Grounds on her birthday. She has a flower in her hair.

First responders assist after a car crash on Topanga Beach

Paramedics, firefighters, and police, and lifeguards assist the victim of a car crash on Topanga Beach.

Baretta sits by his shack at 3681 Topanga Canyon Blvd.

Robert "Baretta" Overby sits by his shack in the backyard of 3681 Topanga Canyon Blvd.

Lyf sits in James Mathers's art studio in The Rodeo Grounds

Kendall "Lyf" Perkins sits in James Mathers's art studio at 3726 Rodeo Grounds. Paintings surround him. Costume dresses are piled in the foreground.

James Mathers stands in his Rodeo Grounds art studio.

James Mathers stands shirtless among the paintings in his art studio at 3726 Rodeo Grounds. He wears a chain necklace.

King Zimmerman feeds his horse Princess at Brookside

Arthur "King" Zimmerman feeds his horse Princess in his yard at 3221 Topanga Canyon Blvd. at Brookside.

Aerial view of Topanga Beach shows kite surfers, 2004

Aerial view of Topanga Beach shows kite surfers preparing to go into the ocean. Around them are Las Tunas Beach houses, the European Equestrian Supply store at 18820 PCH, Ginger Snips, Kay 'n' Dave's, Wylie's Bait & Tackle, Something Fishy, The Money…

Jean-Baptiste Fourault sculpture, "Wings," 2000s

Graffiti that says, "Idlers of the Bamboo Grove," and a sculpture of wings by Jean-Baptiste Fourault cover the outside wall of the art studio at 3726 Rodeo Grounds.

Sam Rollins carries a surfboard at 3712 Rodeo Grounds

Sam Rollins, shirtless, carries a surfboard by the house at 3712 Rodeo Grounds.

Paperboy stands by old surfboards at 3726 Rodeo Grounds

Rapper Jeffrey Indiana Schwartz ("Paperboy") stands by old surfboards in the yard at 3726 Rodeo Grounds. One has graffiti that says, "Idlers of the Bamboo Grove," and an Anarchy symbol.

A party in Michael Greene's art studio, 2/3

People have a lunch party in Michael Greene's art studio at 3726 Rodeo Grounds. Claude Bal and Pablo Capra sit behind the candelabra at the end of the table.

Surfboards hang on the bathroom at 3726 Rodeo Grounds

Surfboards and wetsuits hang on the wall of the bathroom shack at 3726 Rodeo Grounds. Handprints have been cut into the doorway.

Amelia Fleetwood, Dani Katz, and Alejandro Junger

Daisy Duck McCrackin (hat), Amelia Fleetwood (purple dress), Dani Katz (headband), Alejandro Junger (shaved head), and unknown people take a group photo on Topanga Beach.

Ole Olofson, Dani Katz, Amelia Fleetwood, Daisy McCrackin

Ole Olofson, Dani Katz, Amelia Fleetwood, Daisy Duck McCrackin, and an unknown child take a group photo on Topanga Beach.

The creek flows by The Rodeo Grounds and Topanga Lane

Topanga Creek flows under the Rodeo Grounds bridge, and by the cottonwood tree and Topanga Lane in this panorama.

A shelf holds mailboxes for Brookside

On Topanga Canyon Blvd., a shelf holds the mailboxes of residents of Brookside. The shelf has been painted with flowers. This photo was taken when Brookside was almost empty due to the eviction of Lower Topanga by State Parks.

The addresses shown…

A house at 3805 Topanga Canyon Blvd. is boarded up

The house at 3805 Topanga Canyon Blvd. is boarded up during the eviction of Lower Topanga by State Parks. The yard is overgrown. The house features a round chimney. Aldo Vidali previously lived here.

A bulldozer demolishes the Dittrich family house, 2/2

A bulldozer demolishes the house of Scott Dittrich and Sharon Dittrich at 3707 Rodeo Grounds during the eviction of Lower Topanga by State Parks. A worker sprays water from a hose.

A shelf holds mailboxes for The Snake Pit

At PCH, a shelf holds the mailboxes of residents of The Snake Pit (Topanga Lane). The biggest mailbox on the left by a cactus belonged to the Frank Lamonea and the Wisdom family. This photo was taken when The Snake Pit was almost empty due to the…

A bulldozer demolishes the Hassid family house, 2/2

A bulldozer demolishes the house of Dan Hassid and Delphine Hassid at 3720 Rodeo Grounds during the eviction of Lower Topanga by State Parks. Graffiti on the wall protests, "Bulldozers out!"

A bulldozer demolishes the Hassid family's house, 1/2

A bulldozer demolishes the house of Dan Hassid and Delphine Hassid at 3720 Rodeo Grounds during the eviction of Lower Topanga by State Parks. Graffiti on the wall protests, "Bulldozers out!" A worker sprays water from a hose.

A bulldozer demolishes a house at Brookside

A bulldozer demolishes a house at Brookside during the eviction of Lower Topanga by State Parks. A worker sprays water from a hose.

A fence protects an outdoor dining table at Brookside

A fenced shack protects the late Arthur "King" Zimmerman's outdoor dining table from dogs and horses at 3221 Topanga Canyon Blvd. at Brookside.

Broken gate leads to 3726 Rodeo Grounds

The gate through arundo bamboo, leading to 3726 Rodeo Grounds, was damaged after the eviction of Lower Topanga by State Parks. Graffiti says, "Idlers of the Bamboo Grove," and an Anarchy symbol.

A boulder fell on Topanga Canyon Blvd., 2005, 4/4

Gary Dannenbaum stands next to a 300-ton rock boulder that fell onto Topanga Canyon Blvd. on January 9, 2005 during a mudslide, about 1.5 miles from the beach. Photos of this "rock star" appeared in the news around the world.

Ted's Rancho was considered the gateway to the Malibu

Ted's Rancho seafood restaurant was the first in a line of South Topanga Beach houses. It was considered to be the borderline of Malibu.

James Mathers's art studio is vandalized 1/4

James Mathers's art studio at 3726 Rodeo Grounds is vandalized with graffiti during State Parks' eviction of Lower Topanga. A sculpture by Jean-Baptiste Fourault stands at left. A painting by Norton Wisdom lies on the ground at right.

A bulldozer demolishes Something's Fishy sushi restaurant

A bulldozer demolishes Something's Fishy sushi restaurant at 18753 PCH during the eviction of Lower Topanga by State Parks.

A boulder fell on Topanga Canyon Blvd., 2005, 3/4

CHP Sgt. Walter Field stands next to a 300-ton rock boulder that fell onto Topanga Canyon Blvd. on January 9, 2005 during a mudslide, about 1.5 miles from the beach. Photos of this "rock star" appeared in the news around the world.

Residents protest State Parks' herbicide use, 3/3

James Mathers holds a sign that say "Save Yourself." Daisy McCrackin's sign says, "State Parks, shame on you!" They stand at the corner of Topanga Canyon Blvd. and PCH to protest State Parks' use of herbicides like glyphosate and Roundup to kill the…

Ginny Haynes hugs Cuba Gooding Jr. at Wylie's

Ginny Haynes hugs actor Cuba Gooding Jr. at Wylie's Bait & Tackle at 18757 PCH.

Helena An's car is stuck in Topanga Creek

Helena An's car is stuck in Topanga Creek in The Rodeo Grounds. Bernt Capra and others help tow her out.

Jean-Baptiste Fourault builds flowers in The Rodeo Grounds

Jean-Baptiste Fourault builds colorful flower sculptures in his yard at 3726 Rodeo Grounds.

Residents protest State Parks' herbicide use, 2/3

Resident James Mathers protests State Parks' use of herbicides like glyphosate and Roundup to kill the arundo bamboo in Lower Topanga. He has painted a skull and crossbones on a banner along Topanga Canyon Blvd., near PCH.

Residents protest State Parks' herbicide use, 1/3

Lower Topanga residents James Mathers, Pablo Capra, and Christoph Marquardsen protest State Parks' use of herbicides like glyphosate and Roundup to kill the arundo bamboo in Lower Topanga. They are standing along PCH, in front of the Topanga Ranch…

A bulldozer demolishes the Topanga Ranch Market, 2/3

A bulldozer demolishes the Topanga Ranch Market at 18717 PCH during the eviction of Lower Topanga by State Parks.

A bulldozer demolishes the Dittrich family house, 1/2

A State Parks employee monitors as a bulldozer demolishes the Dittrich family's house at 3707 Rodeo Grounds during the eviction of Lower Topanga.

A truck gets stuck in Topanga Creek in The Rodeo Grounds

A Los Angeles County Water Works truck gets stuck in Topanga Creek in The Rodeo Grounds. Another truck tries to tow it out.

The Rodeo Grounds is concealed by trees

Trees hide the neighborhood. Jeff Lunsford drives his van on the dirt road at left. Pablo Capra and friends stand on the roof of his house at 3712 Rodeo Grounds at right.

Chairs dot the Capra family's yard in The Rodeo Grounds

Chairs are scattered across the Capra family's yard at 3712 Rodeo Grounds. Pablo Capra and Calvin Lunsford meet under the rings. Bernt Capra's office at right partially conceals Pablo Capra's greenhouse at far right.

Trees shade the Capra family house at 3712 Rodeo Grounds

Malibu Surf Company ad, 2000

Malibu Surf Company ad shows a car pulling into the parking lot below a wave mural at 18820 PCH, Malibu (Topanga Beach).

"Live to surf, surf to live!"
(310) 317-8688

Linda Serbu walks into the bamboo tunnel on Topanga Lane

Linda Serbu walks into the arundo bamboo tunnel on Topanga Lane.