Near Calabasas in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Old Topanga Canyon Road
City of Calabasas Historic Landmark
courtesy City of Calabasas, 2020
1. Old Topanga Canyon Road Marker
Old Topanga Canyon Road was initially a stagecoach trail forged through the mountains south of Calabasas and terminating at the beach just north of Pacific Palisades. The trail became an important link between the San Fernando Valley and Santa Monica in 1893, when the Long Wharf was constructed as part of the original Port of Los Angeles. The alignment of the narrow roadway used today remains largely unchanged since that time.
Many early Calabasas homesteaders built houses along Old Topanga Canyon Road. Unfortunately, these original homesteads have since been demolished the lone exception being the Masson House at 23075 Mulholland Highway. Afterward, small vernacular styled houses with simple gabled roofs and wood siding were developed along the route; those that remain have been modified and expanded over the years.
Erected 2020 by City of Calabasas. (Marker Number 4.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Roads & Vehicles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1893.
Location. Marker has been reported missing. It was located near 34° 7.448′ N, 118° 38.072′ W. Marker was near Calabasas, California, in Los Angeles County. It could be reached from
this page online
Regionally, this marker was in Greater Los Angeles and in the Transverse Ranges. It was also on the American Pacific Coast. Globally, it was in North America, on the Ring of Fire, in the Pacific Rim, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it found itself in what was once New Spain and also Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies: Masson House (approx. 0.8 miles away); The Bird Path (approx. 1.2 miles away); Park Moderne Fountain (approx. 1.3 miles away); The Rouse Residence (approx. 1.4 miles away); Roddy McDowall Rose Garden (approx. 2.1 miles away); Motion Picture History (approx. 2.2 miles away); Original El Camino Real Bell (approx. 2.3 miles away); Windmill - Tilting Blade (approx. 2.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Calabasas.
Another marker is no longer nearby. The Benson House (was approx. 0.8 miles away but has been confirmed missing).
More about this marker. The aluminum marker went missing soon after it was installed.
The city plans to install a replacement plaque in Wild Walnut Park, near the Masson House marker, when park reconstruction is complete.
Also see . . . City of Calabasas Historic Landmarks. (Submitted on October 4, 2020.)
courtesy City of Calabasas, 2020
2. Old Topanga Canyon Road Marker
courtesy City of Calabasas, 2020
3. Marker is Missing
Credits. This page was last revised on May 4, 2024. It was originally submitted on October 4, 2020, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 3,015 times since then and 134 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 4, 2020, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
