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Topanga firemen in front of Forestry Station
Topanga firemen in front of Forestry Station. SEATED: Jack Albright, Albert Carroll, Bill Santa Maria, Jack Connors, Bud Currier, Floyd Cunningham, Slim Pressler, Bob Butler. STANDING: Al Weinart, Cecil Gehr, Art Bishop, Freddy Stevenson, Jack…
Outhouse on Robinson Road
Due primarily to lack of water, outhouses were common through the 1940s, such as this one listing to its side on Robinson Road.
Edith and Phyllis Feeney at home in Fernwood
Edith Feeney and daughter Phyllis illustrate one means of coping with failing water supplies.
Lee Conger, Bill Sloan, and Jerry Harold
Lee Conger, Bill Sloan, and Jerry Harold lay water line in the 1940s near the junction of Old Topanga Canyon.
6 cartoons lambasting the Water Committee
6 cartoons lambasting the foibles of the Water Committee, in the Topanga Businessmen's Association pamphlet.
Topanga Permanent Water Committee
The Topanga Permanent Water Committee was formed by the Chamber to push for a reliable water supply. Elected in 1956, from left: Sherman Haeggquist, Dan McGovern, Tom McDougall, Peter Stimac, and Virgil Just.
Art Marshburn and family
Art Marshburn, an Old Topanga Canyon leader involved in the water controversy, with his family in the 1950s.
From left back row: Robert, David, Arthur, Carol.
Front row: Jean, Tom.
From left back row: Robert, David, Arthur, Carol.
Front row: Jean, Tom.
Dean Perry, Judge John Merrick, Greg Venturi
Judge John Merrick, with Chamber officers Dean Perry (left) and Greg Venturi chaired a committee in the 1970s charged with developing solutions to the water crisis.
"Mose" Cheney inaugurates the first electrical pole
Columbus Callan "Mose" Cheney turns symbolic shovel of dirt while children sing, commemorating the installation of the first electrical pole at junction of Old Topanga and Topanga Roads in 1928, which finally brought electricity to the Canyon.
Dan Mazur's Canyon Comix
21st century Topangans facing a draconian State plan to regulate septic systems yearned for a hero named "Septic Man," drawn by cartoonist Dan Mazur.
Inn of the Seventh Ray septic pit installation
A bulldozer digs the "mother of all septic pits" at the Inn of the Seventh Ray.
Oka Stewart, Camp Wildwood Owner, Ham Radio Operator
Camp Wildwood owner Oka Stewart sits at his ham radio, used by local journalist Hugh Harlan during the 1938 fire to issue national reports covering the incident.
Topanga Journal 1943 Fire Coverage
The Fire of November, 1943 pictured from the Post Office Tract looking west. Circles mark homes lost. Arrow points to dwellings on Valley View Drive behind the Fire Station.
Fire of 1943, Old Topanga Canyon
Flames in the 1943 fire were halted 100 yards from the Defense Headquarters, situated at the junction of Old and New Topanga Canyons.
Mrs. Leona Soderstrom Homeless after The Fire of 1943
Homeless, Mrs. Leona Soderstrom and baby son Starr sit among what little was left after flames of the 1943 fire.
New Year's Eve Fire, 1958
The New Year's Eve Fire approaches the home of Evelyn McGovern on Saddle Peak in 1958.
Evelyn McGovern Surveys Fire Damage, 1958
Evelyn McGovern, her son Michael and daughter Patricia survey the ruins of their home after the fire of 1958.
Oscar E. Hiltbrand surveys wreckage from the Fire of 1943
Oscar E. Hiltbrand surveys wreckage from the Fire of 1943 at Earl Garber's house in the Bonnell Tract.
Mr and Mrs. James Merrin Lose Home, 1948 Fire
Mr and Mrs. James Merrin and son Joel at the site of their Sylvia Park home lost in the fire of 1948. Merrin taught English at UCLA.
Hugh Harlan's Home Lost to New Year's Eve Fire, 1958
The gracious Hugh Harlan home, built by William T. Gibbon on School Road, burned overnight in the New Year's Eve Fire of 1958. The new school nearby was spared.
Forestry Crew Prepares to Reseed Hills, 1958 Fire
In the aftermath of the 1958 fire, a Los Angeles Fire Department forestry crew prepares to take off in a helicopter from the Speer Ranch to reseed the hills.
Aerial Tanker Douses 1960 Fire
The October 1960 fire on Hillside Drive was put down in record time. An aerial tanker is seen reflected against the smoke, dropping borate-fortified water.
Arson Fire of 1961
On November 6, 1961, folks gather near Pine Tree Circle watching smoke from an arson fire curl in the distance.
Flames Cross Topanga Canyon Boulevard, 1973
Flames cross Topanga Canyon Boulevard in the Twin Poles area on October 31, 1973
Stella and Ed Ellis watch the Old Topanga 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.
Fireman sets a backfire, 1993
A fireman sets a backfire to save Old Topanga Canyon homes on the first day of the 1993 Old Topanga Canyon Fire.
Viewridge Estates, fire company basecamp, 1993
Day 2 of the 1993 Old Topanga Fire, fire companies from throughout the Western U.S. line up at the Viewridge Estates neighborhood.
Bomber drops retardant during the 1993 Old Topanga Fire
A bomber drops fire retardant during the 1993 Old Topanga Fire.
"Thank you" sign for firefighters, 1993
"Thank you" signs for firefighters were hung after the 1993 Old Topanga Fire.
"Thank you" signs for the 1993 Firefighters
In the aftermath of the 1993 Old Topanga Fire, "thank you" signs popped up all over Topanga Canyon.
Landslide at Topanga Summit, 1927
A landslide at Topanga Summit caused by rains in 1922 continued to obstruct Highway 27 in 1927. Men are shown drilling holes for dynamite, to blow off the projection.
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.
1980 Flood Topples House
House in the 700 block of Topanga Canyon Boulevard is toppled from its foundation by the February 1980 flood.
Home of Ral Curren suffers flood damage
Ral Curren, owner of The Corral, lost precious rock n' roll memorabilia when the creek scoured his home in the flood.
Car crosses 1980 Floodwaters
This sports car's owner was actually lucky; many cars were lost to the creek in 1980.
S-Turns Closed for Many Months
The S-Turns were open only to pedestrians and bike traffic for many months after 1980's "storm of the century" and flood.
Topanga Creek floods, 1992
The creek behind the market at flood stage in 1992. Due to tenants' demands, a wall was built to hold back flood waters.
Topanga Turnout destroyed by floods of 1998
Topanga Turnout became a victim of the El Nino rains of 1998 when a landslide doomed the little shopping center.
Cars float down Topanga Boulevard, 2004
In the wettest season ever, cars float down Topanga Canyon Boulevard at Highvale Trail on December 31, 2004.
Dan Mazur's Canyon Comix
Meaning of Life, as disclosed by "Canyon Comix" comic strip creator Dan Mazur.
Betsy Moline's home ruined by Northridge Earthquake, 1994
Betsy Moline sits in the ruin of her Nuez Way home after the 1994 Northridge earthquake.
Jeanne and Tom Mitchell's home after Northridge Earthquake
Jeanne and Tom Mitchell's home lists after the 1994 Northridge earthquake.
Topanga General Store and Post Office
Topanga General Store and Post Office operated out of a pioneer's frame house, where Pine Tree Circle is today.
Topanga General Store and Post Office
Topanga General Store owner Irvin "Smitty" Smith chats with customers on the porch.
Fred Solomon
Fred Solomon built the first real shopping center in Topanga in 1946, using Quonset huts left over from World War II.
Alyn Ranson, Rosagua Trujillo, Eddie Gripp, and Pat Rasbury
Alyn Ranson, Rosagua Trujillo (Rose Wiley), Eddie Gripp, and Pat Rasbury at Lee's Hitching Post in Fred Solomon's shopping center, a hangout for teenagers.
The Outside Inn
After the Hansens bought Jim Fletcher's Outside Inn store, they added a restaurant and it became a local favorite.
Topanga Shopping Center, 1966
Topanga Shopping Center featured the Best Food Center and Topanga Cleaners.
Yim Moon at Topanga Creek Market
Yim Moon at Topanga Creek Market. When he took over from "Joe Creek" Gerson in 1986, it became known as Moon's Market.
Dr. Holly Scoren, Adrian Gendot, Nathalie Cordes
Veterinarian Dr. Holly Scoren, assisted by Adrian Gendot and Nathalie Cordes, checks out a cat at her Topanga Center office.
Fernwood Market, 1949
Fernwood Market, 1949. Evelyn Russell, Paul Gripp, Joe Baker, Bill Smith, Mr. Crawford, Paula Crawford, Jim Lucas, and Mike Evans.
Clarence Kuethe
Clarence Kuethe in his Fernwood Market office. He managed the store from 1949 until the 1970s.
Sally Powell Giedd and daughter Lily
Sally Powell Giedd and daughter Lily at Sienna Skin Care in Rainbow Village.
Craftsmen who built the Pine Tree Circle
Craftsmen who built the Pine Tree Circle mall. Owner Steve Carlson is on the right.
King's Charcoal Bar-B-Q restaurant
King's Charcoal Bar-B-Q restaurant on a rare snow day at Topanga Summit.
Ken's Pleasant Inn
Ken's Pleasant Inn. Whitey Marjenhoff, Ray McClure, owner Pleasant Buerge, unknown, owner Ken Buerge, Harry Long, Bob Ballentine, Chuck Russell, Jack Davis, Frank Romero. (Seated: Dewey Kemp.)
Marge and Richard "Rich" Dehr
Marge and Richard "Rich" Dehr opened the Discovery Inn restaurant at 156 S. Topanga Canyon Blvd.
The Discovery Inn Restaurant
The Discovery Inn restaurant opened in 1961 at 156 S. Topanga Canyon Blvd.
Lance Roberts, owner of Froggy's Topanga Fish Market
Lance Roberts opened Froggy's Topanga Fish Market, a market and restaurant, in the American Legion building in 1993.
Frank Rocco, owner of Rocco's in the Canyon restaurant
Frank Rocco, owner of Rocco's in the Canyon Italian restaurant, throws pizza dough.
Valerie Spencer, owner of Abuelitas Mexican restaurant
Standing: Uncle Sal, Valerie Spencer, Michael Spencer, Adam Silbar, Debra Silbar. Seated: Valerie's abuelo, Valerie's abuelita Aurelia.
Wally High and Pat Burke
Wally High and Pat Burke at Pat's Topanga Grill in Coulson Center soon after it opened.
Standard gas station at Topanga Forks
George Ortiz's Standard gas station at Topanga Forks, aka Pine Tree Circle.
Nancy Walkey and daughter Cory Walkey
Nancy Walkey and daughter Cory Walkey at the Open House of Mill Creek Equestrian Center. The office was built early in the century and rebuilt by the Hiltbrandt family in 1935.
Jim Timko and Randy Neece
Jim Timko and Randy Neece, owners of Canyon View Ranch, "A Country Club for Dogs," pose with their prize-winning dogs.
Beekeeper Russell Whittemore
Beekeeper Russell Whittemore won blue ribbons for his sage honey at the Los Angeles County Fair.
Kara Master has tarot cards read by Lola Babalon
Kara Master has tarot cards read by Lola Babalon, a Psychic Consultant and Herbalist.
Topanga Journal, September 30, 1954 issue
Headline: "Malibu Citizens Committee Asks 10 Questions on Water District Annexation."
Merrick Davidson
Publisher Merrick Davidson was the inspiration behind the Messenger, established in 1976.
Mary Colvig, Ian Brodie, Flavia Potenza
Messenger business manager Mary Colvig, publisher Ian Brodie, and original editor Flavia Potenza.
Bob DeWitt in his art gallery
Bob DeWitt in his art gallery. He was a realtor, artist, and club owner. He famously greeted his real estate clients barefoot.
Coast and Canyon Realtors Halloween ad
Halloween ad for Coast and Canyon Realtors, a real estate company. Teresa Penner, Barbara Campbell, Karen Dannenbaum, Chryssa Lightheart, Sheri Hagemeister, Sarah Sutton. (Tracy Corbett behind the pumpkin.)
Jay Fernandez and Dick Sherman
Contractor Jay Fernandez and "Septic King" Dick Sherman cleared damaged roads and slides caused by heavy rains.
Jack Rice and Randy Just lay bricks
Stone artisan Jack Rice and Randy Just lay bricks for a fireplace on Skyline Drive.
Walter "Buck" Buchanan
Walter "Buck" Buchanan, a businessman and minister, ran for 14 major political offices from 1934-1984, including President of the United States. He never won.
Betty Lee Morales
Betty Lee Morales established a national food supplement operation out of Eden Ranch, the former Barton School property in Old Topanga Canyon.
Molly Hogan, owner of The Nature of Wildworks
Molly Hogan, owner of The Nature of Wildworks, a non-profit wildlife care center that opened in 1995. She is pictured with Phoenix, her mountain lion.
Ed Lange (center) at Elysium Fields
Ed Lange (center) at Elysium Fields. The nudist camp of the Elysium Institute opened in 1968 on 7.2 acres of the former Dutton Ranch on Robinson Road. It closed in 2001.
Elysium Fields nudist camp brochure
Elysium Fields, the nudist camp of the Elysium Institute, opened in 1968 on 7.2 acres of the former Dutton Ranch on Robinson Road. It closed in 2001.
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