Browse Items (1540 total)

Elysium Fields nudist camp ad

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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

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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.

Cali-Camp, a summer day camp

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Cali-Camp, a summer day camp in Old Topanga Canyon, opened in 1964.

Hidden Treasures clothing store

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Hidden Treasures is an antique, vintage, and used clothing store. Darrell Hazen opened it at the site of the old Discovery Inn in 1993. It first opened across the street in Rainbow Village in 1989.

The Fernwood Inn

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The Fernwood Inn was the favorite place of the firemen who worked in the forestry station under the trees at right. It drew a lot of horse traffic.

George Henry Melcher painting, "Luse Ranch Home," 1935

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"Luse Ranch Home," a painting by George Henry Melcher (1935). Alwyn Luse Sr.'s ranch was destroyed by fire on Easter Sunday, 1938.

Painter George Henry Melcher

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George Henry Melcher paints at his Topanga ranch.

William Fitch Wray painting, "Untitled," 1930s-40s

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"Untitled (Topanga Scene)," a painting by British émigré William Fitch Wray.

Bob DeWitt

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Bob DeWitt shows his ceramics, made from Topanga clay that he mixed with his bare feet.

The Job, a cafe and art studio

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The Job was Bob DeWitt's cafe and art studio, located at 1855 N. Topanga Canyon Boulevard. Pictured here, wife Doi and Bob are surprised by a rare snow.

"Sybil" by Vera T. Wood (1998)

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"Sybil" by Vera T. Wood (1998), a painted tile.

Sculpture by Cyril C. Wood (1960s)

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Sculpture by Cyril C. Wood (1960s), made of cast metal.

Jean Stehelin and Jon Raymond

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Furniture craftsman Jean Stehelin and sculptor Jon Raymond wear berets outside the Topanga Post Office and General Store, at Pine Tree Circle.

Barbara, Jack, and Aran Rice

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Jack Rice was a stonemason.

Megan Rice

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Megan Rice with her book "A Brush with Cancer," which combines journal excerpts with images of her artwork.

Wallace Berman, Shirley Morand, and Allen Ginsberg

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Assemblage artist Wallace Berman enticed notables to Topanga, including poet Allen Ginsberg.

Mural by Arnold Schifrin

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A mural painted by Arnold Schifrin on the Old Post Office restaurant depicted a cast of Topanga characters. It was destroyed in a fire in the 1970s.

"Commons" by Jim and Sue Sullivan

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"Commons" by ceramicists Jim and Sue Sullivan is an intricate mosaic table.

Casa Pequeña gate

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Tomas Braverman and his wife Kiyo spent many years crafting their home at 1135 Topanga Canyon Boulevard. Today the house is called Rosewood.

Leslie, Paul, and Matt Doolin

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Leslie, Paul, and Matt Doolin at their Topanga Art Tile studio.

Nancy Swenson painting, "Solomon Meadows"

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Painter Nancy Swenson Williams is part of a multigenerational activist family that has lived in Topanga since the late 1940s.

Linda Bolhuis painting, "Mulholland Afternoon," c. 2000

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"Mulholland Afternoon" by Linda Bolhuis, a painting made with dye on silk. Linda helped set up the Topanga Canyon Gallery in Pine Tree Circle in 2000.

Jody Roberts

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Itinerant artist Jody Roberts specialized in caricatures and psychedelia.

Topanga Arts Council at Earthworks studio

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Topanga Arts Council members in front of Earthworks, Esther and Bud Bruder's studio. Standing: Esther Bruder Raucher aka Esther Terrestrial, Sue Weber aka Sky and Wonder Woman, Helena LeBrun, three unknown, Myra Schegloff, Kathy Kaminsky, unknown.…

Members of Topanga Canyon Gallery (New Canyon Gallery)

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Members of the Topanga Canyon Gallery steering committee: Rebecca Catterall, Meredith Miskowich, Sue Sullivan, Nancy Swenson Williams, Barbara Anahita King, Penny Chavez.

House designed by Earl Wear on Sischo Drive

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Architect Earl Wear designed this home on Sischo Drive to be "of" the land, not just "on" it. It was built for Bud and Joan Ware.

The Donovan House on Waveview Drive

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The Donovan House on Waveview Drive, designed by architect Bob Bates.

Dragonfly Ranch

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Dragonfly Ranch was built in 1991 by architect Cary Gepner and actor-craftsman-owner James Judd Morgan. When it went on the market in 2004, its $7.5 million asking price was a record high for Topanga.

Buddha mural on Topanga Canyon Blvd.

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"Buddha on the Wall," a mural on Topanga Canyon Blvd., designed by poster artist Liz Shepherd and painted with Kedric Wolfe and David Totheroh, on Labor Day 1982.

Joseph Reilich and Aaron Copeland

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Joseph Reilich and Aaron Copeland at the Ojai Music Festival. Reilich played violin with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra under Arturo Toscanini for 10 years, before moving to Topanga in 1945.

Flutist Gretel "G.G." Shanley

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Flutist Gretel "G.G." Shanley, co-founder of the Topanga Symphony

Harriet Swenson and her piano students

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Harriet Swenson celebrates with her piano students as they are inducted into the Topanga chapter of Pi Mu. Michael Morales, Terri Scott, Sherry and Sheryl Gwaltney, Sharon Clow, unknown, Vicki Cepin, Harriet Swenson, Adrienne Just, Connie Clark,…

Fran Roberts-Stehelin and her students at a recital

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Piano and voice teacher Fran Roberts-Stehelin with her students at a recital. Megan Yednock, Sebastian Harris, Nadia Kent, Morgan McGee, Samantha Johnson, Fran Roberts-Stehelin, Suzanne Duket, Laurel Anderson, John Anderson.

The Topanga String Quartet

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The Topanga String Quartet: Toni Marcus, Jeanne Mitchell, Hugh Neely, Miles Tackett.

Roger Bobo directs the Topanga Philharmonic

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Roger Bobo directs the Topanga Philharmonic at the Theatricum Botanicum.

Topanga Symphony Conductor Jerome Kessler

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Topanga Symphony Conductor Jerome Kessler takes a bow from the Community House stage.

The Mermaid Tavern, a classical music club

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The Mermaid Tavern was the name of the classical music club created by Mickey and Ann Nadel in the former Sylvia Park clubhouse.

Bob and Doi DeWitt with their children

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Bob and Doi DeWitt with their children Eileen, Norah, and Bobby. The DeWitts were largely responsible for bringing folk music to the Topanga.

Mickey Miller and Rich Dehr at the Canyon Capers

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Mickey Miller and Rich Dehr perform at the Canyon Capers. Mickey first motorcycled to Topanga in 1949 with husband Matt, a fellow folk musician.

Folk musicians Frank Miller and Rich Dehr

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Frank Miller and Rich Dehr sing the latter's new folk song "Memories are Made of This." Dehr was known for his fine voice.

The Canyon Capers Jug Band

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The Canyon Capers Jug Band: Virgil Just on washboard, Bill Sloan on comb, John Boldemann on gut bucket, Ken Douphner on jug, Don Martin [?] on saw, Einar Lanaro on shower pipes, and Harriet Swenson (not pictured) on piano.

The Job cafe

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The Job was the hippest cafe around. Owner Bob DeWitt sits with his back to the camera.

Bob DeWitt drawing, "Woody Guthrie," 1950s

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"Woody Guthrie," a drawing of the folk musician in Topanga Canyon by Bob DeWitt.

Folk musician Burl Ives

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Folk musician Burl Ives was a regular at the Theatricum Botanicum.

Will Geer and his family

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Will Geer and his family at the Theatricum Botanicum: Herta Ware, Peter Alsop, Melora Marshall, Will Geer, Ellen Geer

Will Geer and Herta Ware

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Will Geer and Herta Ware sing at their Theatricum Botanicum.

Peter Alsop plays Pied Piper

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Children's music star Peter Alsop plays Pied Piper at the Theatricum Botanicum.

Bob "Bear" Hite and Spanky McFarlane at The Corral

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Canned Heat singer Bob "Bear" Hite and Spanky McFarlane at The Corral nightclub.

Linda Ronstadt in Hondo Canyon

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Linda Ronstadt in Hondo Canyon, at artists Cy and Vera Wood's stone house.

Neil Young

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Neil Young lived in Topanga with his band Buffalo Springfield.

Fred Tackett plays at The Corral

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Fred Tackett plays at The Corral. He joined Little Feat after the death of Lowell George.

Billy Preston

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Musician Billy Preston often donated his services for local fundraisers.

The Grateful Dads

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The Grateful Dads band, composed of local dads: unknown, Herb Engelhardt, Tom Mitchell, Wally High.

Colin Hay and Cecilia Noel at Froggy's

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Colin Hay (of the band Men at Work) and Cecilia Noel play music at a benefit for Children's Corner at Froggy's restaurant.

Mystic Journey

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The Mystic Journey band: Gary Coleman, Suzanne Teng, Aziz Paige, Michael Dwyer, dancer Katyia, Howard.

Chevy Metal

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The Chevy Metal band at Abuelitas restaurant: Taylor Hawkins (also in the Foo Fighters), Achim "Dange" St. Dangersfield, and Wiley Hodgden.

Sherry and Bob Jason dancing in "The Nutcracker"

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Sherry and Bob Jason, founders of the "Topanga Nutcracker" ballet.

Sugar Plum Fairies in "The Nutcracker"

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Sugar Plum Fairies dance in the 20th anniversary performance of the "Topanga Nutcracker" ballet.

Richard Dix's house on Saddle Peak

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Western movie star Richard Dix's house, a 15-room mansion with an ocean view built in 1929.

Actors read Ziff's Magazine at the Topanga Post Office

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Cowboy actors, from Westwood Pictures, pose in an apparent advertisement for Ziff's Magazine (March 1925 issue) at the Topanga Post Office and General Store, at Pine Tree Circle. Ziff's Magazine was an irreverent joke book published in Chicago, IL…

Western Saloon movie set at Topanga Summit

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A father and son pose in front of the Western Saloon movie set at Topanga Summit.

Roland Totheroh, Charlie Chaplin's cameraman

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Cinematographer Roland Totheroh built a two-room cabin next to the creek on South Topanga Canyon Blvd. in 1923, while working on silent films with actor Charlie Chaplin.

Charlie Chaplin with Topanga cameraman Roland Totheroh

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Charlie Chaplin with Topanga cinematographer Roland Totheroh (far right) and assistant cameraman Jack Wilson on the set of the silent film Gold Rush in Truckee, CA.

Frank Lloyd's house on Colina Drive

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Director/producer Frank Lloyd's house and property on Colina Drive, part of the old Joe Robison homestead.

Performance artist Kedric Wolfe

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Performance artist Kedric Wolfe, wearing angel wings, took a leading role in Topanga, on and offstage.

Filmmakers Barbara Trent and David Kasper

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Oscar-winning documentarian Barbara Trent and director David Kasper.

Producer Agi Orsi

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Producer Agi Orsi's film "Dogtown and Z-Boys" became a critical favorite in 2001.

Director of photography John Penner

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Director of photography John Penner holds a clapperboard on the set of the mystery/medical drama TV show "Quincy." Penner probably worked longer in film and TV than any other Topangan.

Billy Portman, Sara Baur, and Urs Baur

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Emcee Billy Portman, Sara Baur, and Urs Baur. The Baurs founded the Topanga Film Festival in 2004.

Norm Karlin rents out his place for film shoots

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Norm Karlin rents out his place for film shoots. (He often lets students use it for free.)

Bob DeWitt drawing, "Wil Geer," 1970s

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"Wil Geer," a drawing of the actor and Theatricum Botanicum founder by Bob DeWitt.

The Geer family

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The Geer family: Melora Marshall, Herta Ware, Ellen's baby Megan Geer-Alsop, Kate's daughter Kelly, Ellen, Kate, and Will Geer.

The Theatricum Botanicum company

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The Theatricum Botanicum company. Actor and founder Will Geer stands at center.

Will Geer and Ellen Geer in "The Tempest"

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Actors Will Geer and Ellen Geer as Prospero and Miranda in William Shakespeare's play "The Tempest," performed at the Theatricum Botanicum.

The Geer sisters: Melora, Ellen, and Kate

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The Geer sisters: Melora, Ellen (standing), and Kate in Anton Chekhov's play "Three Sisters," performed at the Theatricum Botanicum.

Ellen Geer and mother Herta Ware

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Ellen Geer, artistic director of the Theatricum Botanicum, and mother Herta Ware stand by "Woody's Shack," once home to Woody Guthrie.

The Topanga Community Players in "Jesus Christ Superstar"

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Jane MacAllister leads the Topanga Community Players in the musical "Jesus Christ Superstar," performed at Topanga Days.

Vance Hoyt and his gray fox

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Vance Hoyt wrote his popular novel "Silver Boy" about the wild gray fox that learned to sleep by the hearth of his Bonnell Park home.

Journalist Louise Larsen

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Journalist Louise Larsen was probably the first Chinese-American woman to report for a major newspaper in the USA. She worked at the "Los Angeles Record," "San Francisco Times," "Chicago Times," "Los Angeles Daily News," and "Evening Outlook." Her…

The historic property at 154-156 S. Topanga Canyon Blvd.

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The historic property at 154-156 S. Topanga Canyon Blvd. was developed in the 1930s by druggist Henry L. Wilson and his novelist wife Louise Stinetorf. In the 1960s, it was home to folk musician Rich Dehr, his wife Marge, and their Discovery Inn…

Carolyn See, John Espey, and Lisa See Kendall are honored

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Carolyn See, John Espey, and Lisa See Kendall receive commendations from Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley for "outstanding achievements in the writing of 'Lotus Land,' detailing the history of L.A."

Writer Al Martinez in his home office

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Writer Al Martinez in his home office. He moved to Topanga in 1972, and became a popular columnist for the "Los Angeles Times."

Fred Tackett and Little Feat

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Fred Tackett and Little Feat play rock and roll music at a TASC fundraiser at the Theatricum Botanicum.

Dan Mazur's Canyon Comix

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"eBay and the Great Buffalo Springfield Drug Bust"

Listening to the song "Topanga Road" by Jim and Jean, the author learns about the arrest of Stephen Stills, Neil Young, and Eric Clapton in Old Topanga Canyon in 1968. "Sadly, the incident marked…

Riding horses in Topanga Creek

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Bill Flaxman rides Moon (King Zimmerman's horse, which had been in the 1976 Olympics), his wife Geraldine rides Mare (Dean Skipworth's horse), and they are followed by their dog Spunky (and Judy's dog Melody), in the Rodeo Grounds, on their way home…

Topanga Canyon Boulevard gets washed out

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Topanga Canyon Boulevard gets washed out in a flood near the AmeriGas office. This photo appears to be shot from the patio of the Topanga Fish Market.

Lannis Wood and her horse Sunday

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Lannis Wood and her horse Sunday in Hondo Canyon. Sunday was on the small side and crazy wild. Lannis was the only one who could ride her.