Browse Items (3726 total)

James Mathers's art studio is vandalized 3/4

James Mathers's art studio at 3726 Rodeo Grounds is vandalized after the eviction of the Lower Topanga community by State Parks. Graffiti says, "This place will live on in our minds forever. -- C. H."

James Mathers's art studio is vandalized 2/4

The door to James Mathers's art studio at 3726 Rodeo Grounds has a broken window after the eviction of the Lower Topanga community by State Parks. Graffiti says, "Not enough paper to record all the beauty that this door has opened up to."

J. A. Homes holds "The Children's Guide to Astral Projection"

James Mathers ("J. A. Homes") holds an early copy of his book, "The Children's Guide to Astral Projection" (Brass Tacks Press, 2003). He drinks tea from a teapot in the yard at 3726 Rodeo Grounds. Behind him is a fluid sculpture by Jean-Baptiste…

Baretta smokes a cigar at 3726 Rodeo Grounds

Robert "Baretta" Overby smokes a cigar in the yard at 3726 Rodeo Grounds. Behind him are arundo bamboo and an American flag with a peace sign.

James Mathers and Daisy Duck McCrackin play guitar

James Mathers smokes a cigarette on a couch in his art studio at 3726 Rodeo Grounds. Daisy Duck McCrackin plays guitar. Their cat Zero lies on the deck outside.

People gather at a day party at 3726 Rodeo Grounds, 14/15

Kendall "Lyf" Perkins stands by arundo bamboo in the yard at 3726 Rodeo Grounds.

People gather in the living room at 3726 Rodeo Grounds

People take a group photo in the living room at 3726 Rodeo Grounds.

Sylvia Golonka ("Nova") puts her arm around Fawn Rogers.
Hope Alexander holds daughter Pearl Alexander.
James Mathers lies below his framed drawing of a turkey.
Christoph…

Norton Wisdom paints outside in The Snake Pit

People gather at a day party at 3726 Rodeo Grounds, 13/15

People gather in the yard at a day party at 3726 Rodeo Grounds. Jeffrey Indiana Schwartz ("Paperboy") sits on a swing, Erin Loggins ("Log") talks to James Mathers, Sylvia Golonka ("Nova") lies down.

People gather at a day party at 3726 Rodeo Grounds, 12/15

James Mathers sits in a wheelchair and reads a book in his yard at 3726 Rodeo Grounds. He wears a headband with horns and a chain necklace.

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.

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 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.

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…

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…

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…

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…

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Aerial view of Topanga Beach, 2005, 2/2

Aerial view of Topanga Beach shows PCH and the Topanga Lagoon.

Aerial view of Topanga Beach, 2005, 1/2

Aerial view of Topanga Beach shows PCH and the Topanga Lagoon.

Hobie / Vita-Pakt skateboard team wears striped T-shirts

Hobie / Vita-Pakt Super Surfer skateboard team riders take a group photo wearing striped T-shirts: John Freis, Danny Bearer, George Trafton, Davey Hilton, Steve Hilton.

"By 1964-65, Hobie’s Vita-Pakt skateboards overtook Makaha’s popularity, in…

Duke Kahanamoku signs photo for Makaha skater John Freis

Duke Kahanamoku, the father of modern surfing, signed a photo of himself standing with John Freis, a Makaha team rider who shortly after won the 1965 International Skateboard Championships.

The autograph says, "To John Freis, Meke Aloha. Duke…

John Freis wins the 1965 Skateboard Championships

Makaha team rider John Freis shows off his certificate and trophy for winning first place overall at the 1965 International Skateboard Championships, held in Anaheim, CA, on May 22-23, 1965. The prize was a $500 scholarship from "Skateboarder…

John Freis does a kick turn on a Makaha skateboard

John Freis does a kick turn on a Makaha skateboard. He rode for both the Makaha and the Hobie Super Surfer teams and developed many tricks, including the nose manual (wheelie).He won first place overall at the 1965 International Skateboard…

Jim Fitzpatrick holds a Makaha skateboard

Jim Fitzpatrick (b. 1948) holds a Makaha skateboard.Fitzpatrick grew up in La Jolla, CA. In the 1950s, he and his friends rode steel-wheel skateboards at La Jolla Shores in between sessions in the water on surf mats and balsa-wood surfboards. In…

Map of Bus Line 134 after the Palisades Fire, 2025, 1/2

Map of Metro Bus Line 134 route shows a 10-mile, no-stopping zone on PCH between Temescal Canyon Rd. and Rambla Vista (or, between roughly Santa Monica and Malibu). After the Palisades Fire, service resumed on February 28, 2025.

Topanga Beach appears on NBC News after Palisades Fire

Topanga Beach appears in a still from an NBC News video: "LA Metro partially restores bus service on Line 134 (after the Palisades Fire)." The lifeguard tower is at left, and the toxic-debris sorting station is at right.

Topanga Canyon is covered by mud after the Palisades Fire

Topanga Canyon Blvd. is covered by mudslides from the first rain after the Palisades Fire.

Aerial view of Topanga and PCH after Palisades Fire, 2025

Aerial view of Topanga Canyon Blvd. and PCH after the Palisades Fire shows Topanga Beach, the toxic-debris sorting station, the lifeguard tower, The Snake Pit, Topanga Lane, The Rodeo Grounds, the Topanga Beach Pump Station, the 7-Eleven gas station,…

Aerial view of Topanga Beach after the Palisades Fire, 2025

Aerial view of Topanga Beach after the Palisades Fire shows Business & Pleasure Co.’s Malibu Beach Club, Old Malibu Road, the Topanga Lagoon, the toxic-debris sorting station, and the lifeguard tower.

Aerial view of Topanga Canyon Blvd. and PCH, 2024

Aerial view of Topanga Canyon Blvd. and PCH shows Oasis Imports, the Malibu Feed Bin, the Topanga Beach Pump Station, the 7-Eleven gas station, Topanga Beach, Topanga Lane, and The Rodeo Grounds.

Aerial view of Topanga Beach, 2024

Aerial view of Topanga Beach shows Cholada Thai Beach Cuisine, Wiley's Bait & Tackle, Old Malibu Road, Rosenthal Wine Bar, Topanga Lagoon, the Topanga Ranch Motel, the Reel Inn, and the lifeguard tower.

Karen Lunsford holds babies in The Rodeo Grounds

Karen Lunsford holds babies Michele Capra and Leo Ritz-Barr at the Capra family house at 3712 Rodeo Grounds. Her son Calvin Lunsford crawls. Sally and Bernt Capra stand in the kitchen behind them.

Michael Greene and Claude Bal wear cowboy hats

Michael Greene and Claude Bal wear cowboy hats and kerchiefs in front of Michael's art studio at 3726 Rodeo Grounds.

Michael Greene sits on a table naked in The Rodeo Grounds

Michael Greene sits on his picnic table at 3726 Rodeo Grounds. He is naked, masked by a kerchief, and wears a cowboy hat.

An woman walks in the water as Topanga Creek floods

An unknown woman walks in The Rodeo Grounds as Topanga Creek floods.

Renate and Ray Casser stand by a flooding Topanga Creek

Renate Casser, holding a pink umbrella, stands by a flooding Topanga Creek with her husband Ray Casser in The Rodeo Grounds.

Aimee Rentmeester, David Flynn, and Coliene Rentmeester

Aimee Rentmeester and David Flynn take a group photo with Aimee's aunt Coliene Rentmeester (and Coliene's dog Danya) on Coliene's patio at 3715 Rodeo Grounds.

Renata Casser and Coliene Rentmeester sit in the yard

Renata Casser and Coliene Rentmeester sit in Coliene's yard at 3715 Rodeo Grounds.

John Drew Barrymore sits on a log in The Rodeo Grounds

John Drew Barrymore sits on a log by the Capra family's dog Marilyn in their yard at 3712 Rodeo Grounds.

Bob Varnum leans on the counter of Wylie's Bait & Tackle

Owner Bob Varnum leans on the counter of Wylie's Bait & Tackle at 18757 PCH.

Larry Stevenson created Makaha Skateboards

Venice lifeguard Larry Stevenson (1930-2012) designed and manufactured the first commercial skateboards in 1961, under his brand Makaha, and with the help of his wife Helen. He later worked with surfer Mike Doyle to develop his designs. The Makaha…

Cars stop to get spring water at the bottom of the S-Turns

Topanga Canyon Blvd. descends into Girard (Woodland Hills)

Topanga Canyon Blvd. descends into Girard (Woodland Hills) and the San Fernando Valley.

Topanga Canyon Blvd. winds through the S-Turns

Old Topanga Canyon Rd. intersects with Valley Dr.

Houses are seen at the intersection of Valley Dr. and Old Topanga Canyon Rd.

Houses in the Glenview neighborhood are seen from Blvd.

Houses in the Glenview neighborhood are seen from Topanga Canyon Blvd.

Topanga Community Women's Club membership card

Billie Finn's laminated card shows an "honorary life" membership in the Topanga Community Women's Club. It is signed by President Kay Hoover and Treasurer Lois Mason.

Do It Wright Painting T-shirt depicts Topanga Beach

J. Murf plays guitar on a T-shirt for surf rock band Blue Juice

Blue Juice T-shirt

Shaleena Bertram, Gary Bertram, and Marilyn Morganroth

Shaleena Bertram sits with father Gary Bertram and mother Marilyn Morganroth by their house at 3767 Rodeo Grounds.

T-shirt for Natural Progression surfboards features J. Riddle

A T-shirt for Natural Progression surfboards features J. Riddle riding a wave.

Thea Armand puts her hands in her pockets on Topanga Lane

Norton Wisdom drives his truck in The Snake Pit

Norton Wisdom drives his truck camper through the mud after a flood in The Snake Pit.

Artist Norton Wisdom sits in his yard in The Snake Pit

Artist Norton Wisdom sits in his yard at 3948 Topanga Lane (in The Snake Pit). Nearby are an abstract painting, a trapezoidal sculpture, and a saber-toothed tiger skull on a Greek column.

Sally and Pablo Capra stand by the lifeguard tower

Sally Capra and son Pablo Capra make fists by the Topanga Beach lifeguard tower.

The Topanga Beach lifeguard tower has stilts

Map of Lower Topanga, 1980s

Map of Lower Topanga shows houses on Old Malibu Road, Topanga Canyon Lane (Topanga Lane, The Snake Pit), The Rodeo Grounds, the historical Shady Lane, Topanga Canyon Blvd., PCH, and Topanga Creek.

Addresses include:

3681 Topanga Canyon…

Pablo and Lucas Capra play in the sand at Topanga Beach

Brothers Pablo Capra and Lucas Capra play in the sand at Topanga Beach. The Chart House is in the background.

Lifeguard Michael Morales wears goggles under the tower

Lifeguard Michael Morales wears goggles under the Topanga Beach lifeguard tower.

A long wave breaks in offshore winds at Topanga Beach

A long wave breaks in offshore winds at Topanga Beach. People walk on the rocks at low tide.

Sally Capra leans on a mural of women at Topanga Beach

Sally Capra leans on a mural of naked women that was painted on the foundation of a demolished house at Topanga Beach.

Grant Rohloff's Topanga Lane house floods

Grant Rohloff stands on the damaged deck of his Topanga Lane house as Topanga Creek floods.

The Capra family sits in their yard in The Rodeo Grounds

Sally Capra, Lucas Capra, Pablo Capra, and Bernt Capra take a group photo in their yard at 3712 Rodeo Grounds. Bernt wears a Heineken beer shirt.

Robert Campbell painting, "Capra House," 1980s

Robert Campbell's watercolor painting shows the Capra family's house at 3712 Rodeo Grounds.

Michael Hutter and Matt Lasky eat lunch at La Esperanza

An unknown woman, Michael Hutter ("The Prince"), a child, and Matt Lasky eat lunch and drink wine off a surfboard table at the Las Tunas beach house "La Esperanza" at 18862 PCH.

Michael Hutter carries his surfboard and a wineglass

Michael Hutter carries his surfboard and a wineglass by the the Topanga Beach lifeguard tower.

Claudia Lasky wears a costume by Norton Wisdom paintings

Claudia Lasky wears a bull costume by the paintings in Norton Wisdom's art studio in The Snake Pit.

Chris Rohloff and Mike Kope sit under the lifeguard tower

Teenagers Chris Rohloff and Mike Kope sit by their surfboards under the Topanga Beach lifeguard tower.

Chris Rohloff sits on his surfboard at Topanga Beach

Chris Rohloff sits on his surfboard in the ocean at Topanga Beach.

Fred Goodich & Donna Reznick lived in The Rodeo Grounds

Cinematographer Fred Goodich lived in The Rodeo Grounds with his wife Donna Lee Reznick and their sheep dog Che-Cha.

Coliene Rentmeester's backyard has a corral

Coliene Rentmeester's backyard at 3715 Rodeo Grounds has an abandoned corral.

Coliene Rentmeester's portrait hangs in her living room

Coliene Rentmeester's living room in her house at 3715 Rodeo Grounds is decorated with lamps, carpets, a bookshelf, and a photo of herself.

A loom stands in Coliene Rentmeester's house

Coliene Rentmeester's living room in her house at 3715 Rodeo Grounds is decorated with wooden furniture, carpets, and a loom.

Norton Wisdom and Robert Hernandez hug

Lifeguard Norton Wisdom and Robert Hernandez hug by the Topanga Beach lifeguard tower.

Bill Flaxman holds his son Adam on the cable bridge, 2/2

Bill Flaxman holds his son Adam on the platform of the cable bridge at Brookside, which transported people in a lawn chair.

Moms have a "Baby Beach Club" party at Brookside, 2/2

Malibu moms from Mariane Saodo's preschool have a "Baby Beach Club" party by Topanga Creek at Brookside. The cable bridge is in the background.

Bill Flaxman holds son Adam and Tyler [SURNAME?].
Nidia [SURNAME?] wears sunglasses (became a…

Moms have a "Baby Beach Club" party at Brookside, 1/2

Malibu moms from Mariane Saodo's preschool have a "Baby Beach Club" party at the Flaxman house at Brookside.

Marianne Saodo (in hammock)
Liz [SURNAME?] (red shirt)
Nidia [SURNAME?] (striped shirt, became a politician in Malibu)
Geraldine…

Gabriel Flaxman rides a horse led by Bill Flaxman

Nephew Gabriel Flaxman rides a horse led by Bill Flaxman, who holds his son Adam in the other hand. Patches the dog follows. Behind them are the steps leading to the cable bridge.

Friends gather for a birthday party at a corral at Brookside

Friends gather for Adam Flaxman's birthday party at a corral at Brookside.

Steve Saodo
Andy Stewart (guitar)
Dr. Roger Feldman (a dentist)
Michael Framer (white pants)
his daughter (striped shirt)
unknown blond girl
Tyler [SURNAME?]…