“Book Review—Topanga
Beach: A History by Pablo Capra”
by Linda Ballou
Everything you ever wanted to know
about Topanga Beach History, but didn’t know to ask is here. In this meticulously
researched chronicle of the events taking place at this mostly overlooked bastion
of eccentrics, dreamers and schemers you get the answers. The spirit of
enterprise began with marketing relics found in mounds of native peoples dating
back about 7,000 years. With the arrival of the Spanish, who doled out huge
land grants to the elite, rodeos began. Soon makeshift lodging sprang up at
Topanga Beach and the party that lasted more than a hundred years began.
The geography has changed since crowds
of thousands clamored for seats at events at Topanga Beach. In 1906 a sea arch
collapsed beneath where posh Mastro’s Ocean Club sits today. The arch marked
the end of the highway until the defeat of May Rindge, the “Queen of Malibu,”
who spent her vast fortune fighting those who wanted to lay railroad tracks
through her land. Before Pacific Coast Highway was established there was a lagoon
with a large bird population opening to the surf.
Moonlight dance parties often lasted
the night. Rodeos with spur-jangling cowgirls and boys drew crowds of thousands.
Rumors of bull fighting brought more. Bootlegging blossomed during Prohibition
and Hollywood made its mark there as well. There was even a notorious cult
performing secret ceremonies. Storms eventually took out the holiday cabins
that popped up on the beach. Then came the surf culture. An amazing array of
characters populated Topanga Beach between 1820 and 1920. The photo gallery
included in this compact, yet concise history of this dynamic time is worth the
price of admission.
Topanga Beach: A History by Pablo Capra is available from the publisher Brass Tacks Press, and from the Topanga Historical Society and Topanga
Homegrown.
