Browse Items (3726 total)

Topanga Explorers, Kelp Devils at Topanga Beach

Topanga Scout Post 220: Topanga Explorers, Kelp Devils (Sea Scouts), go skin diving in homemade wetsuits at Topanga Beach. STANDING: Bill Sloan (post committee member), George Schreder, Jon Sloan, Rick Hass, Tom Lennan, Star Soderstrom, Mark Squiers,…

Building Camp Adelaide for Girl Scout overnights

Building Camp Adelaide for Girl Scout overnights, across from School Road.

Topanga Brownie Scout Troop 74

Topanga Brownie Scout Troop 74. SEATED: Janice Fitzgerald, Florine Smith, Karin Fester, Jolene Thomson, Barbara Hard. STANDING: Wise Owl Mrs. Worley, Norma Dowding, Judy Charlton, Marion Mannelion, Carol Worley, Kay Hansen.

Mariner Scouts head for Catalina Island

Mariner Scouts head for Catalina Island on the boat Resolute.

Mariner Scouts from Topanga and Malibu

Mariner Scouts from Topanga and Malibu.

Front: Jean Thompson, Carol Esparza, Candy Clark, Lea Armstrong, unknown, Connie Clark, Judy Piner.

Middle: Toni Loudon, Diane Foster, unknown, Judy Tucker, Lynn Haines, unknown, unknown, Marge…

Brownie Scout Troop 1667, led by Kay Saltman (Queen K.)

Brownie Scout Troop 1667, led by Kay Saltman (Queen K.), at Topanga Beach.

Snow on Prier Hall, home of American Legion Post 796

Snow on Prier Hall, home of American Legion Post 796. Walter Prier deeded the building to the American Legion on August 2, 1954.

Bob Wiley, John Penner, and Jon Swenson

American Legion leaders Bob Wiley, John Penner, and Jon Swenson at Froggy's restaurant. The Legion had leased Prier Hall to the restaurant but still held meetings there.

Officers being sworn into American Legion Post 796

Officers being sworn into American Legion Post 796: Wally Blaufus, David "Blackie" Lamoreaux, Norman Karlin, Judy Bell, Bill Rhodes, and Commander Jon Swenson.

Tom Cheney and Topanga Chamber of Commerce

Tom Cheney gives a presentation to the Topanga Chamber of Commerce. FROM RIGHT: longtime leaders Art Piner, Hal Rolfe, and Jim Buerckel.

Ruth Gerson, Wild Bill Speer, and Joe Edmiston

Wild Bill Speer, flanked by activist Ruth Gerson and Joe Edmiston of the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, is the first to ride over the bridge on Viewridge Trail, sponsored by Viewridge Owners Involved in the Community and the Environment (VOICE).

Topanga Labor Exchange

People Assisting Topanga Canyon with Helping Hands (PATCH) co-chairs Michele Johnson (right) and Maryana Kuretski (second from left with her twins Devon and Kia) opened Topanga Labor Exchange in the early 1990s, on a site donated by Steve and Leslie…

Past PTA presidents at Canyon Capers

Past presidents of the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) at Canyon Capers variety show: Hetty Haeggquist, Nelle Upham, Kathryn Penny, Carol Marshburn, Pearl Sloan, Julia Stewart (who organized the first Topanga PTA in 1937), and Jean Methven.

Topanga School Booster Club President Lynne Haigh

Since Lynne Haigh became its first president in 1983, the Topanga School Booster Club (later Topanga Enrichment Program, TEP) has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for enrichment programs.

TASC leader Bob Bates

Topanga Association for a Scenic Community (TASC) leader Bob Bates bares his congratulatory T-shirt at the Summit Valley Park dedication.

TASC board members stand above Summit Valley

Topanga Association for a Scenic Community board members stand above Summit Valley. FRONT: Rabyn Blake, David Totheroh, Andrew Sheldon, Herbert Petermann. BACK: Ken Mazur and son, Ron Fomalont, Dan Larson, Steve Hoye, Roger Pugliese, Kay Austen, Joan…

Town Council President Gary Davis and founder Jan Moore

First official Topanga Canyon Town Council President Gary Davis and founder Jan Moore square dance at Topanga Days.

Dale Robinette and Vic Richards lead a clean-up crew

Topanga Canyon Town Council President Dale Robinette (back row, right) and Board Member Vic Richards (left) lead a Topanga Canyon Blvd. clean-up crew.

T-CEP founders Pat and Jack Mac Neil

Topanga Coalition for Emergency Preparedness founders Pat and Jack Mac Neil in their hard-won Emergency Operations Center.

Zev Yaroslavsky, Frank Andrews, and Equine Response Team

County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky and Frank Andrews of Animal Care & Control present a check for $25,000 to Equine Response Team while volunteers Alli Acker (third from right) and Stephanie Abramson beam their thanks.

Woman's Club installations, 1950s

Topanga Community Woman's Club installations: Kay Olson, Betty Niklas, Mary Griffith, Mary Belle Alexander, Julia Butler, Georgia Collamer, unknown, Dorothy Boehme, Mildred Buerckel, unknown, Maxine Carnes, Hazel Talbot, Helene Pervine, May Lewis.

Topanga Community House Ball Field Committee

The Topanga Community House Ball Field Committee admires their handiwork: John Morrison, Richard and Lee Kelly, Joe Valente, Arthur Nissman, Ole Gunst, Andy Wallace, Ellen Mills.

Kathryn Penny receives Lifetime Achievement Award

For her "unwavering" help in establishing the Community House, Kathryn Penny receives Lifetime Achievement Award at the Topanga Community Woman's Club 1992 Friendship Luncheon.

Woman's Club former presidents

Topanga Community Woman's Club former presidents at the 50th Anniversary Tea Party: Linda Hinrichs, Rebecca Andrews, Kathy Briles, Harriet Swenson, Julie Du Bois, Julia Shugerman, Ellen Mills, and Terry Valente.

Jack Runnell at the Chili Cook-Off

Jack Runnell tastes spicy chili at the Topanga Community House Swap Meet and Chili Cook-Off.

Community House caretakers Lee and Richard Kelly

Long-time Topanga Community House caretakers Lee and Richard Kelly became Citizens of the Year in 1991.

Topanga Community House Makeover Team

The Topanga Community House Makeover Team made the bathroom baby-friendly: Tile-Layer Joe Stanley with new baby Sophia, Project Manager Cynthia Scott, Technician Andy Williams, Electrician Shawn Rhodes, Topanga Community Club President Randy Just,…

Rose Wiley and Julia Stewart mark Trujillo boundary

Rose Trujillo Wiley and Topanga Historical Society Julia Stewart place a plaque on an oak tree marking the Trujillo homestead boundary.

Roberta Kirby and Ami Kirby at Earth Day

Roberta Kirby and Topanga Historical Society Librarian Ami Kirby at the Community House's Earth Day celebration.

Topanga Historical Society leaders

Topanga Historical Society Presidents Ken York, Gerry Haigh, and Buz Tarlow with Louise York, editor of "The Topanga Story."

Christian Science Church

Members park their car on Topanga Highway for Christian Science Church services.

Christian Science Society

The Christian Science Society, the first denomination to build a church in Topanga, meets at Adelaide Gibbon's home. FRONT: Mrs. Tremullen, May Kneen, Cecilia Johnston, four unknowns, Adelaide Gibbon, Cora Trippet, Mrs. Cilker. BACK: Mr. Cilker,…

Topanga Community Church group

Topanga Community Church group. Pastor John Utterback (white shirt) and wife Florence are at center, Camp Wildwood owner Julia Stewart is at right.

Topanga Christian Fellowship Church

Topanga Christian Fellowship Church board members: BACK: Patricia Moore-Joshi, Larry Dunn, Bruce Boyle. FRONT: Pastor R. G. Murray, Janice Murray, Ellie Carroll, Luisa Dunn, Karen Moran, Nancy and John Williams.

Saint Jarlath's Catholic Church Altar Society tea

Saint Jarlath's Catholic Church Altar Society tea: Elinor Covington, Lillian McCarter, Winnie Watkins, Dora Bruyere, Mae Conners, two unknowns, Ann Allen, Nora Collins, two unknowns, Father Gallagher, and Mrs. Shaw (seated).

Mohana and David Shapiro at Pyramid Center

Hare Krishna devotees Mohana and David Shapiro at Pyramid Center.

Dovid Weiss, Nechama Dina, and their children

Rabbi Dovid Weiss, wife Nechama Dina, and their two children. Weiss brought a Chabad to Topanga in 2003.

Topanga Strawberry Festival News Release, 1977

14th Annual Topanga Strawberry Festival News Release, June 29, 1977.

The Topanga Community Improvement Association (TCIA) was formed in 1959 with Cyril C. Wood as provisional president. They helped create the Resource Conservation District of the…

Topanga Lions Club

Topanga Lions Club members: Archie Lennan, Sy Prewitt, Dick Olsen, Albert Hoyt, Harry Rose, Tim Vickers, Melvin Penny, and Dean Penny.

Arlis Wilhelim, Mary Hall, and the "GOP Smilemobile"

Arlis Wilhelim and Mary Hall at the West Hills Republican Women's mobile headquarters, known as the "GOP Smilemobile."

Topanga Rough Riders in Monument Valley, Arizona

Topanga Rough Riders Club on horseback in Monument Valley, Arizona

Fuchsia-flowered gooseberry flowers

Fuchsia-flowered gooseberry flowers (Ribes specidsum saxifragaceae)

Lizard

The common lizard is uncommonly beautiful in this photo, which won a National Park Service award.

Shell fossils found off Topanga Skyline Road

Shell fossils found by Cub Scout Eric Johnson off Topanga Skyline Road.

Writer Al Martinez

Al Martinez (1929-2015) was a novelist, essayist, and Los Angeles Times columnist.

"Boots Malone" film set at Topanga Post Office

A scene from "Boots Malone" was filmed at the Topanga Post Office and General Store in Pine Tree Circle.

"Boots Malone" is a 1952 American film noir drama film directed by William Dieterle. It stars William Holden as a down-on-his-luck sports…

The Rust family at Topanga Beach

The Rust family at Topanga Beach. Ella Rust sits in the center of sons Archie and Don Rust and their families. Granddaughter Thais Rust is at right.

Native American pictographs in Santa Maria Canyon

Native American pictographs appear on the wall of a cave in Santa Maria Canyon. The rock art was discovered by UCLA teacher Alex Apostolides and high school student Dan Larsen in 1965.

Louise York, author and editor of The Topanga Story

Louise York was the author and editor of The Topanga Story's first edition.

Dr. Gerard "Gerry" Haigh

Dr. Gerard "Gerry" Haigh, visionary President of the Topanga Historical Society, created a permanent home for its historical archives and offered his birding expertise to The Topanga Story.

Pearl Sloan

Pearl Sloan was a long-time board member and booster of the Topanga Historical Society.

Topanga Highway descends into the Valley

The new Topanga Highway descends into the San Fernando Valley, as shown on the Acknowledgements page of The Topanga Story.

The Topanga Story, Contents

The Topanga Story: Expanded Edition

Contents

Preface by Kenneth H. York
Introduction by Buz Tarlow
Foreword by Al Martinez
1. The Natural Canyon
2. The First Inhabitants
3. 1880-1900: The First Families
4. 1900-1920: Resorts & Ranches
5.…

View of San Fernando Valley from Topanga Summit

View of San Fernando Valley from Topanga Summit, with The Topanga Story's Preface by Kenneth H. York, and Introduction by Buz Tarlow.

Western Pond Turtle

Topanga Stream Team member Ken Wheeland holds the elusive Western Pond Turtle.

Bandit Tiburcio Vasquez

Tiburcio Vasquez, one of California's most notorious banditos, was hung for his crimes in 1875.

Virgil Just, aircraft engineer

Virgil Just, aircraft engineer, spent three years building his home, at the pace that he could afford materials in. He said, "No lending institution would lend you a dime to build in Topanga."

Kenneth and Elizabeth Douphner's wedding

Three Topanga families celebrate Kenneth and Elizabeth Douphner's wedding. Front row: Junice Douphner, Helen Douphner Cheney, Kenneth "Ken" Douphner, Elizabeth "Betty" Douphner, and the minister. Back row: Daniel Baker, Callan Cheney, Jean Baker,…

Actor Will Geer

Actor Will Geer moved to Topanga to escape the Hollywood blacklist. He supported himself by growing and selling vegetables and plants.

Woody Guthrie's Shack

Will Geer and Herta Ware's first Topanga home later became "Woody Shack" when their famous musician friend took it over.

Herta Ware, baby Kate, and Will Geer

Herta Ware, baby Kate, and Will Geer, when he was a successful character actor.

Herta Ware, Woody Guthrie, and Will Geer

Herta Ware, Woody Guthrie, and Will Geer toured California's migrant camps together.

Karen Wood Moran, Nicole Elias, and Vera Wood

Karen Wood Moran, her daughter Nicole Elias, and her mother Vera Wood represent three generations.