Browse Items (3726 total)

Topanga Chamber of Commerce

In 1966, a conservative Topanga Chamber of Commerce tried to control hippies. From left: Albert Hoyt, President William C. Carter, Art Piner, Tim Graham, and John Seymour.

Gerry Haigh and Skip Oliphant

Gerry Haigh and Skip Oliphant met on a peace march in San Francisco. They married in 1967.

The Tough Topanga 10K

Traditionally the first event of Topanga Days on Memorial Day Weekend, The Tough Topanga 10K started in 1978

Kedric Wolfe at Topanga Days

Kedric Wolfe moves to ban the bomb at Topanga Days.

Topanga Days Tug o' War

Topanga Days Tug of War

Topanga Days Grand Marshal Robin Williams

1981 Topanga Days Grand Marshal Robin Williams was a Topanga resident.

Rose Wiley at Strawberry Festival

Rose Wiley, a descendant of the pioneering Trujillo family, makes enchiladas at the Strawberry Festival.

Laura Wiley at Strawberry Festival

Laura Wiley, a descendant of the pioneering Trujillo family, makes enchiladas at the Strawberry Festival.

Len Fleisher on stilts at Strawberry Festival

Len Fleisher on stilts at Strawberry Festival, hamming it up with Chairman John Nordine.

Melvin Penny at Strawberry Festival

Melvin Penny at Strawberry Festival, selling corn.

Strawberry Festival Treasurer Everett Plumer

Strawberry Festival Treasurer Everett Plumer sells tickets.

Strawberry Festival Queen Judy Piner

Strawberry Festival Queen Judy Piner wears crown made by artists Cy and Vera Wood. Her court, from left: Pat Bradley, Judy Cepin, Ruthie Cepin, Linda Reindl.

Aerial view of the Topanga Center, 1968

Aerial view of the Topanga Center, location of the Pine Tree Circle and the Post Office.

The Geer family

Will and Herta Geer stand by a beatific Mother Bloor with children Kate and Ellen seated on floor left and center.

The Swenson family

John and Harriet Swenson with David, Nancy, William, and John.

The Swenson kids and cousins

The Swenson kids and cousins play under the oaks of their Topanga home. From left: Gary Hill, Willie and Nancy Swenson, Steve Hill, David and Jon Swenson.

The Swenson family house on Fontaine Road

Harriet and John Swenson bought this house on Fontaine Road in 1950, only after persuading the owner that they were tough enough to stay.

Nancy Swenson on Robinson Road

Harriet and John Swenson's oldest child Nancy sits on the stoop of their Robinson Road rental, reputed hunting lodge for Teddy Roosevelt.

Bill and Pearl Sloan

Bill and Pearl Sloan toast their 50th wedding anniversary.

The Sloan family

Bill and Pearl with David, Jon, Bill Jr., and Miriam. (Barbara was born in 1956.)

The Sloan family's trailer home

Bill and Pearl Sloan and their first three children called this 16-foot travel trailer home while they waited for a new one.

Bill and Pearl Sloan

Bill and Pearl Sloan stand in a hole they dug for their septic tank. "There were no geological surveys required, no septic system percolation tests."

The Mule Train at the Country Fair

The Mule Train at the Country Fair. From left: Chris Jones, JoAnn Goodman, and Tom Butler.

Greg and Danny Morris

Greg and Danny Morris donate their playhouse to the Community House for a tool shed

Jerry Hanks, Ray Alley, and Frank Molloy

Jerry Hanks, Ray Alley, and Frank Molloy drill a well for the new Community House.

Topanga Drilling Co.

Frank Molloy and Ray Alley of Topanga Drilling bring their families while they tap into a water supply.

Breaking ground for the Community House

Fire Chief Harvey Anderson and Mary Sopher watch as Dorothy Boehme breaks ground for the new Community House.

Sycamore Lodge

Sycamore Lodge, with bow windows, was built by H. R. Gage in the early 1900s, then bought by Harry Boehme in 1931. Located just north of the confluence of Garapatos and Topanga Creeks and shaded by sycamores, the 5-acre property contained four…

Oka Stewart

Oka Stewart sponsored free events at Wildwood, led the Lions club and donated building materials for the Community House.

Camp Wildwood

Owner Oka Stewart supervises Camp Wildwood swim classes.

Topanga Women's Auxiliary

Topanga Women's Auxiliary threw an old-fashioned community picnic in 1942, precursor to the fairs. Standing from left: Elva Sigrist, unknown, Hermoine Cox, unknown, Virley Harlan, Mrs. Theriault, Nelle Upham, unknown, Louise Adams, Helen Blencourt,…

American Legion Honor Roll

Honor Roll of men and women serving in armed forces is unveiled by the American Legion on Memorial Day 1944 at Pine Tree Circle

The Topanga Protection Committee

The Topanga Protection Committee organized in 1942 by Oscar-winning producer/director Frank Lloyd (seated center). Pictured are standing from left: Hildor Barton, two unknown, Des Barton, Kenneth Connors, Hugh Harlan, Ralph Kiewitt. Seated: W. V.…

Civilian Conservation Corps camp

The New Deal brought a Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camp to Topanga.

Sadie and Cash Albright at home on Paradise Lane

Sadie Albright pours a drink for husband Cash at their Wild Horze Bar in the home he built on Paradise Lane.

The Penny family on Paradise Lane

Kathryn Penny and Melvin Penny, with children Joel Dean Penny and Milo Penny.

In front of the John Albright home on Paradise Lane.

Bud Luse and friends at the garage by the old Post Office

At the garage by the old Post Office.

Kneeling: George Ortez, Charles Gammon.

Standing: Ken Douphner, Bud Luse, and Richard Flood.

Topanga Beach houses along the old coast road

Topanga Beach houses along the old coast road, before they were swept away by high waves in a February 1926 storm.

Step Inn Cafe and gas station at Topanga and PCH

Step Inn Cafe and Clayton Rust's Shell gas station at Topanga and PCH.

Thais Rust in Brookside

Thais Rust as a teenager sitting on a '35 Ford Coupe in Brookside in Lower Topanga.

Ina and Clayton Rust at Rust’s Barbecue

Ina and Clayton Rust at Rust’s Barbecue in Lower Topanga.

The Rust family at Topanga Beach

The Rust family at Topanga Beach.

FRONT:
Ellen Rust Penland, Joanne Simmons, Thais Rust, Ray and Leon Simmons, Ella Rust, Avis Wendill, Fern Rust, Raburn Stedman Rust.

MIDDLE:
Clayton Rust, Roy Rust, Claude Simmons, Edythe Rust, Fleta Rust,…

Tent City, formerly Cooper's Camp

Tent City, formerly Cooper's Camp, with the construction site for the 1933 bridge across Topanga Lagoon.

Topanga Mineral Springs

Horseshoe Bend was renamed Topanga Mineral Springs and its waters were sold to customers in Los Angeles.

Horseshoe Bend Inn

Horseshoe Bend Inn opens in mid-1920s with dance pavilion spanning creek at rear and sun deck on roof.

Alva Gustavus at his Little Brown Church in the Wildwood

Retired Baptist Minister Alva Gustavus stands by his "Little Brown Church in the Wildwood" behind Horseshoe Bend Inn.

Southern California's Prettiest Drive

"Southern California's Prettiest Drive" is Francis Brunner's booklet advertising his Topanga-Las Flores Canyon Stage. The Topanga Historical Society published a reprint of this 32-page booklet.

Coins offering free lots in Sylvia Park

Coins were scattered in Los Angeles offering finders free lots and memberships in Sylvia Park Country Club. "If you find this coin, bring it to us at once. It entitles you to a $150 Membership in our beautiful country club...."

Gray family: Russ, Mae, Bonnie, Carole, Don, and June

Russ Gray (with nose to the grindstone) and his wife Mae with Bonnie, Carole, Don, and June.

W. D. Hacker cabin in Fernwood Park

Weekend cabin of Dr. and Mrs. W. D. Hacker built in 1924 in the Fernwood Park development at the northwest corner of Fernwood Pacific and Horseshoe Drives.

Vance Hoyt holds a gray fox

Vance Hoyt holds a gray fox at his Bonnell Park ranch.

The Sylvia Park subdivision

The new Sylvia Park subdivision, as seen from the Goebel Ranch.

Fred Solomon leads orphans in a race

Fred Solomon leads orphans in a race on property that became Topanga Center.

The Penny Dance Band

The Penny Dance Band played at Solomon's lively dance halls.

Pine Tree Circle

Topanga Post office and General Store in Pine Tree Circle.

Leona, Theresa, Vera, and Mark Venneman

Leona, Theresa, Vera, and Mark Venneman on their farm.

Agnes Venneman

Agnes Venneman reared eight children in Topanga.

Mark Venneman

Mark Venneman with favorite horse team, Cap and Maud.

Flyer for Mohn Springs

Advertising flyer for Mohn Springs

Picnic in Veteran Springs (Glenview)

Spanish War veterans hold a picnic in Veteran Springs (later known as Glenview).

Hay baling crew

As a boy, Fred Venneman joined a neighborhood hay baling crew that included Jesus Santa Maria (aboard baler) and George Cheney (second from right).

Topanga Tavern on Old Topanga Canyon

Topanga Tavern was built in 1909 on Old Topanga Canyon just south of the Narrows.

The Outside Inn

Original owner Dan Fletcher at The Outside Inn.

Caroline Hansen at John Heron's cabin

Caroline Hansen, whose parents owned the Outside Inn, at John Heron's cabin on a Saddle Peak slope.

Floyd Palmaymesa with aunt Hazel and friend

Floyd Palmaymesa with aunt Hazel and friend in Old Topanga Canyon.

A Pawlowski family picnic by Topanga Creek

A Pawlowski family picnic by Topanga Creek. Peter and Pauline, with his parents Pelagia and Julius.

The Pawlowski family on Route 66

The Pawlowski family (second car from left) on Route 66, from Michigan to Topanga.

Cora Trippet and son Oscar A. Trippet

Cora Trippet and son Oscar A. Trippet under portrait of her husband. Trippet Ranch became the centerpiece of Topanga State Park.

Cora Trippet

Trippet Ranch became the centerpiece of Topanga State Park.

Judge Oscar Trippet

Trippet Ranch became the centerpiece of Topanga State Park.

May Kneen and daughter Katherine

May Kneen and daughter Katherine at the home built by husband Bill. Badly damages in the 1994 earthquake, the house was razed and rebuilt by Jake Stehelin to resemble the original.

Taj Mahal entrance on Entrada Road

Thomas W. ("Bill") Kneen (left) built this Taj Mahal entrance for Mr. Hanlon (right) on Entrada Road.

Manx Lodge

Jim Kneen built Manx Lodge on Robinson Road.

Katherine and Lee Haines family

Katherine (Kneen) and Lee Haines, with children Carol, Bruce, and Lynn.

Red Cross Building

During World War I, ladies sold Mrs. Julian's "Canadian War Cakes" to tourists in front of this Red Cross Building at Old and New Canyon junctions to raise money for the war effort.

Irwin Julian with furs

Irwin Julian with a shipment of furs that brought him just over $50.

Norris E., Charlies I., Edwin, and Edwin R. Julian

Four generations: Norris E., Charlies I., Edwin, and Edwin R. Julian.

Adelaide Gibbon at her stone house

William and Adelaide Gibbon built this stone house, which featured her wood carvings.

Von Arnswaldts' cabin in Red Rock Canyon

Tony von Arnswaldt and his wife's cabin in Red Rock Canyon opened the area to development.

Mrs. Templer Allen with cousin Hugh Twyford

Mrs. Templer Allen, owner of Moel-Y-Gan, with cousin Hugh Twyford.

Bob Hutton in Greenleaf Canyon

After Bob Hutton married, he built a home in Greenleaf Canyon out of homemade adobe bricks.

Les Storrs in Greenleaf Canyon

Les Storrs, age 16, at the Hutton cabin built by Mort Allen in Greenleaf Canyon.

Bob Hutton and Mort Allen smoke pipes

Frequent guest Bob Hutton sits back to back with Mort Allen, "a man not given to unnecessary effort."

Bertha Corbett Melcher, Jessie, Mrs. Luther

Bertha Corbett Melcher (right) sits with a woman (probably sister Jessie). Mrs. Luther is standing.

Bertha Corbett Melcher drawing, "Charlotte Roseneath Melcher," 1910s

Bertha Corbett Melcher drawing, "Charlotte Roseneath Melcher," shows the artist's daughter, born on May 3, 1911. Bertha made her fortune with her creation of the Sunbonnett Babies.

Bertha Melcher with Charlotte and baby Ruth

Bertha Melcher was known as the "Madonna of the Mountains."

George Melcher ranch

George Melcher and his second wife Marguerite Douphner Melcher are flanked by Betty and Ken Douphner to the left and Helen Cheney, Callan Cheney, and young Gary Cheney to the right.

Santa Maria Road cemetery

Rosetta Goebel was the cemetery's first occupant.

Jack Wood's stone house

Jack Wood, a pioneer stage and Post Office mail driver, built this stone house in the early 20th century in Old Topanga Canyon.