Browse Items (1540 total)

Barbara Luray painting, "April: Rudbeckia," 1956

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"Wild Flowers Topanga Canyon" is a series of 22 watercolor paintings by artist Barbara Luray, who lived in Topanga in the late '50s, '60s, and '70s.

Barbara Luray painting, "May: Indian Paintbrush," 1956

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"Wild Flowers Topanga Canyon" is a series of 22 watercolor paintings by artist Barbara Luray, who lived in Topanga in the late '50s, '60s, and '70s.

Barbara Luray painting, "May: Wild Currant," 1956

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"Wild Flowers Topanga Canyon" is a series of 22 watercolor paintings by artist Barbara Luray, who lived in Topanga in the late '50s, '60s, and '70s.

Barbara Luray painting, "May: Monkey Flower," 1956

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"Wild Flowers Topanga Canyon" is a series of 22 watercolor paintings by artist Barbara Luray, who lived in Topanga in the late '50s, '60s, and '70s.

Barbara Luray painting, "All Year: Tobacco Bush," 1956

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"Wild Flowers Topanga Canyon" is a series of 22 watercolor paintings by artist Barbara Luray, who lived in Topanga in the late '50s, '60s, and '70s.

Barbara Luray painting, "April: Mariposa Lily," 1956

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"Wild Flowers Topanga Canyon" is a series of 22 watercolor paintings by artist Barbara Luray, who lived in Topanga in the late '50s, '60s, and '70s.

Barbara Luray painting, "May: Wild Cucumber," 1956

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"Wild Flowers Topanga Canyon" is a series of 22 watercolor paintings by artist Barbara Luray, who lived in Topanga in the late '50s, '60s, and '70s.

Barbara Luray painting, "January: Buckthorne," 1956

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"Wild Flowers Topanga Canyon" is a series of 22 watercolor paintings by artist Barbara Luray, who lived in Topanga in the late '50s, '60s, and '70s.

Snow covers a house and palm tree in Old Topanga

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Snow covers a house and palm tree located at 1231 Old Topanga Canyon Road.

A yucca plant flowers in the snow on Sycamore Drive

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A yucca plant flowers in the snow on Sycamore Drive, overlooking George Williams's Topanga Hardware store on Old Topanga Canyon Rd. at center, and Firman Gray's house on the left.

The Big Snow covers Old Topanga Canyon Rd. near Oak Dr.

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The Big Snow on Old Topanga Canyon Rd. near Oak Drive covers trees, telephone poles, and mailboxes.

Snow covers Topanga Fire and Forestry Station

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Snow covers the Topanga Fire and Forestry Station. A man stands by parked cars on Fernwood Pacific Dr.

Snow covers trees in backyard on Entrada Rd.

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Snow covers trees in the backyard of "Ragland," the home of Bee and Bob, 21366 W. Entrada Rd.

The Rust family builds snowmen in Topanga

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The Rust family builds snowmen in Topanga. From left: unknown, Clayton Rust, unknown (seated), Cleo Rust Wendill, Avis Wendill, Ina Rust, Mary Kays

Alice Anderson and children play in the snow

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Alice Anderson and children play in the snow in the Winfield Road pasture. The children include Molly Anderson, Carol Haines, Lynn Haines, and Bruce Haines.

Stevie and Billy Speer build a snowman with a hat

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Stevie and Billy Speer build a snowman with a hat on Speer Ranch, 2775 Santa Maria Road, after the Big Snow.

Alice Anderson skis in the Winfield Road pasture

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Alice Anderson skis in the Winfield Road pasture after The Big Snow. Children from left: Carol Haines, Lynn Haines (above), Molly Anderson, and Bruce Haines.

Snow covers houses on Fernwood Pacific Dr.

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Snow covers trees, houses, and a car on Fernwood Pacific Dr. The view looks across the Canyon to Colina Dr.

Man and woman walk by parked cars on snow-covered road

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A man and woman walk by parked cars on snow-covered Topanga Canyon Blvd.

Horse carriage at former site of Arch Rock

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A man drives a horse carriage on the rocks at Topanga Beach. In the background is the former site of Arch Rock, which collapsed on March 23, 1906. Three women follow, including possibly May Rindge and her daughter Rhoda.

La Esperanza house's address plaque, Las Tunas Beach

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La Esperanza house's address plaque, Las Tunas Beach, reads "18862 Malibu." The house's name means, "The Hope," and formerly belonged to actors Greta Garbo, June Havoc, Fred MacMurray, and screenwriter Frank Pierson.

Armand Riza, Las Tunas Beach

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Armand Olaf Riza, Las Tunas Beach resident, wears wetsuit and windsurfing gear. Behind him are a boat and his neighbor's house, La Esperanza.

Armand Riza's surfboards at Las Tunas Beach

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Armand Olaf Riza's surfboards, at his home on Las Tunas Beach, are covered by a banner that says, "Malibu Surf & Sail, 18904 Pacific Coast Highway." The better-looking boards are for windsurfing. The others have weathered yellow and brown.

Las Tunas Isle Motel arched entrance

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Las Tunas Isle Motel arched entrance doorway with arundo bamboo decor and doorbells.

Las Tunas Isle Motel room doorbells

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Las Tunas Isle Motel room doorbells and arundo bamboo decor at front door.

Las Tunas Isle Motel check-in window and doorbell

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Las Tunas Isle Motel check-in window, doorbell, and arundo bamboo walls

Las Tunas Isle Motel bamboo wall

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Las Tunas Isle Motel arundo bamboo wall in the former Tiki Room.

Las Tunas Isle Motel bathroom wall and ceiling

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Las Tunas Isle Motel bathroom wall and ceiling have a tropical-plant decor, with green palm leaves painted around a lamp.

Las Tunas Isle Motel stained-glass window

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Las Tunas Isle Motel stained-glass window shows underwater scene with fish, seaweed, and a mermaid.

Red Rock Canyon geology

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Red Rock Canyon (Dry Canyon Quadrangle)
Lower Sespe Conglomerate Rock Cliff
Yucca Whipplei Intermedia
Platanus Racemosa
Quercus Agrifolia

Red Rock Canyon geology

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Red Rock Canyon, Conglomeritic Sandstone, Lower Sespe Formation.

Summit to Summit Trail, looking northeast

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Looking North-East from the site, showing a dedicated trail and ridge line, as well as two million-gallon water tanks that are Topanga's water supply.

Summit to Summit Trail, looking northwest

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Looking northwest into Mulholland Heights (formerly Sunnyglen) from deeded open space, showing planted Oaks and dedicated trail.

Summit to Summit Trail, looking south

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Looking south into Summit Valley from the 19.9 acre site, showing trail linkage.

Summit to Summit Trail, looking north

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Looking toward San Fernando Valley (North) from the 19.9 acre site. Note: Hiking and riding trail on left.

Arch Rock drawing, 1894

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Arch Rock drawing, 1894. "The wonderful Arch Rock of Santa Monica."

Two men with rifle under Arch Rock, 1890s

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Two men with rifle under Arch Rock, 1890s. Stereoscope image.

Topanga Beach map, 1896

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Topanga Beach map, 1896, shows a Mexican's house at Las Tunas Beach, a house in Tuna Canyon, and plowed land in Peña Canyon.

Topanga Beach map, 1895

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Topanga Beach map, 1895, shows a Mexican's house at Las Tunas Beach, a house in Tuna Canyon, and plowed land in Peña Canyon.

Rancho Boca de Santa Monica cattle brands

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Rancho Boca de Santa Monica cattle brands belonging to Francisco, Ramona, Francisca, Bonifacio, and Ysidro Marquez.

Land allotted to Bonifacio Marquez in 1883

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Land allotted to Bonifacio Marquez in 1883 from the Rancho Boca de Santa Monica.

Topanga Beach map, 1881

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Topanga Beach map, 1881, showing Arch Rock ("Arch in conglomerate rock," "Rocky Point Mal Paso") and markers in stone mounds.

Topanga Beach map, 1881

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Topanga Beach map, 1881, showing Arch Rock ("Rocky Point Mal Paso") and markers in stone mounds.

Bonifacio Marquez and son Miguel, c. 1875

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Bonifacio Marquez and son Miguel, c. 1875, of the Rancho Boca de Santa Monica. Bonifacio inherited the Topanga portion of the ranch.

Horse, carriage, and three men at Arch Rock, c. 1880

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Horse, carriage, and three men at Arch Rock, c. 1880. Two more carriages approach in the background.

Surfer George Trafton in Blue Cheer ad "Cheer Up!"

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Surfer George Trafton in "Cheer Up!" ad for Blue Cheer surfboards, 3112 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90403.

Las Tunas Isle Motel brochure

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From the brochure for the Las Tunas Isle Motel, located on Las Tunas Beach: "On the Ocean Side at famous Malibu, Las Tunas Isle Motel offers the ultimate in comfort and relaxation for the casual and commercial traveller, The Las Tunas has been the…

Camp Wildwood Swim Club membership card

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Camp Wildwood Swim Club membership card: "This certifies that [YOUR NAME] is an amateur athlete representing the Wildwood Swim Club Topanga, Calif., and is registered with the S.P.A.A.A.U. Bring this card with you to all competitions."

Aldo Vidali

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In 1930, Aldo was born to an Italian family in Ixelles, Belgium. As a child he went to Italy and from there he began his life of traveling. His travels have taken him to almost every continent in the world. He has studied at the University of…

Greek fishermen at Topanga Beach

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Greek fishermen at Topanga Beach.

1. Captain Spere Aneme [Speero Anegone] and partner Mike Leonadas [Mike Leonis] take a boat to their lobster traps.
2. Captain Spere throws back a baby lobster.
3. Captain Spere measures a lobster to see if…

Fisherman Spere Aneme mends his net

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Captain Spere Aneme [Speero Anegone] mends his net. He lived at Topanga Beach with fellow Greek fishermen John Foundoukos and Mike Leonadas [Mike Leonis]. They opened a fish market there around 1923.

Topanga Beach, 1924

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Topanga Beach, 1924, showing beach houses, tents, Cooper's Camp, and cars on the highway.

Painter George Demont Otis paints Topanga Creek

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Painter George Demont Otis paints Topanga Creek. The back of the photo says, "Given to Mavis by Mrs. G. Otis -- Clara. Topango Canyon 1923"

George Demont Otis painting, "Topanga Canyon," c. 1923

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George Demont Otis painting, "Topanga Canyon," c. 1923, oil on canvasboard, 12" x 16".

George Demont Otis painting, "Topanga," c. 1920s

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George Demont Otis painting, "Topanga," oil on canvas, 30" x 36 1/4".

Topanga Beach map, 1876

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Topanga Beach map, 1876, shows: Tepango Canon [Topanga Canyon], Johnson Peak, and kelp bed.

Rancho Boca de Santa Monica map, 1851

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Rancho Boca de Santa Monica map, 1851, specifically a diseño (a rough map required to accompany Spanish and Mexican land grant petitions), shows: Punta de Topanga [Topanga Point], Lomas Alta [high hills of the Pacific Palisades], Santa Hermonica…

Topanga Beach map, 1877

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Topanga Beach map, 1877, shows: Tepango Canon [Topanga Canyon], Johnson Peak, and a kelp bed.

Topanga Beach map, 1874

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Topanga Beach map, 1874, shows: Arroyo Topango [Topanga Creek], a post in a mound of stone at Point Topanga [sic], a point of rocks (Mal Paso) [Arch Rock]

Topanga Beach map, 1868

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Topanga Beach map, 1868, shows: Laguna de Topanga [Topanga Lagoon], a post in a mound of stone, Rocky Point (Mal Paso) [Arch Rock]

Topanga Elementary School sign

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Laurie and Anne Lanaro pose in front of the Topanga Elementary School sign on Laurie's first day of kindergarten in 1962.

A beach house wrecked by a storm and big waves

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Just west of the Topanga Beach Lagoon, a house is wrecked by a storm and big waves.

Big money encroaches on Topanga, Jody Roberts, 1992

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Artist Jody Roberts drew this comic map for the "Messenger" newspaper, showing "Big Bucks Estates" and "Big Development" encroaching on Topanga.

Surfer JoJo Perrin displays his artwork

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In the early 1980s, surfer JoJo Perrin (1950-2023) would spend the afternoons in the parking lot at Topanga Beach nearly every day, selling his artwork from his van.

JoJo was revered for his an innovative surfing style. In the 1960s and '70s, he…

Actress Lindsey Wagner at Topanga Beach

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Lindsey Wagner starred in "The Bionic Woman," a TV show that aired from January 14, 1976, to May 13, 1978.

First surfboard shaped by Dave Sweet and Howard Terrill

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First surfboard shaped by Topanga Beach surfers Dave Sweet and Howard Terrill from balsa wood in the 1940s. Dave Sweet became a pioneer of shaping foam surfboards in the 1950s.

Christian Andersen holds a red surfboard at Topanga Beach

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Christian Andersen: "My mom's Hawaiian boyfriend had this surfboard made for me in Hawaii with my named stenciled on it in 1966. It was the first short longboard that any of the Topanga guys had seen."

Robbie Dick shapes a surfboard with Glen Kennedy

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Robbie Dick shapes a surfboard with Glen Kennedy in the Wilken factory on 22nd St. in Santa Monica. Glenn, a Wilken team rider, was working on a knee board when Robbie and Rich Wilken found him using the wrong tools. Robbie humorously went overboard…

Sylvia and Ted Berkeley, with daughters Wendy and Bonnie

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Sylvia and Ted Berkeley, with daughters Wendy and Bonnie, pose with Ted's surfboard at Topanga Beach.

The Berkeley family with wrestler Primo Carnera and friends

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TOP: Ted and Sylvia Berkeley, unknown. BOTTOM: Primo Carnera, Bob and Kay McLaughlin, unknown, Bunny and Dorothy Berkeley. At the Franklin family's house at Topanga Beach.

Evelyn Franklin at Topanga Beach

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Evelyn Franklin sitting on the bench that Charles Pritchard built at Topanga Beach

Molly Gordon at Topanga Beach

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Molly Gordon, a couple months before marrying Topanga Beach resident Larry Franklin.

Logo for the Wood family's jewelry business Cyvra

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Vera Wood created this ink drawing as the logo of the Wood family's jewelry business called Cyvra, a combination of Cyril's and Vera's names. Vera would say that these two angels were her future daughters Lynn and Karen, born in 1948 and 1949.

Cyril and Vera Wood with baby Lannis in Red Rock Canyon

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Cyril and Vera Wood with baby Lannis and nanny in Red Rock Canyon