Rancho Mission Viejo in Orange County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Topanga Formation

Photographed by Adam Margolis, September 28, 2015

1. Topanga Formation Marker

Inscription. This fossil-rich sandstone was found locally from within the Topanga Formation, which was deposited during the Miocene epoch. The fossils and sandstone were deposited in a shallow sea that once occupied this area. Fossils include clams, scallops, and other marine life. Also present in this rock is evidence of more recent mortar holes where Native Americans utilized the hard rock surface to shell and pound acorns during food preparation.

Erected by Rancho Mission Viejo.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Anthropology & Archaeology • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Paleontology.

Location. 33° 31.445′ N, 117° 37.354′ W. Marker is in Rancho Mission Viejo, California, in Orange County. It is on Ribera just west of Ascenso Avenue, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 28 Gallo St, Ladera Ranch CA 92694, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Los Angeles

and in the Peninsular Ranges.

It is also on the American

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Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is 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 finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: On the Mesa (approx. 0.6 miles away); Bruce M. Phillips (approx. 2.3 miles away); Feliciano Rios Building (approx. 2.4 miles away); Don Juan Avila Building (approx. 2.4 miles away); Jose Francisco Ortega Building (approx. 2.4 miles away); Don Juan Forester Building (approx. 2.4 miles away); Chief Clarence Lobo Building (approx. 2.4 miles away); Don Jose Antonio Yorba Building (approx. 2.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Rancho Mission Viejo.

Photographed by Adam Margolis, September 28, 2015

2. Topanga Formation Marker

The Sandstone image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Adam Margolis, September 28, 2015

3. The Sandstone

Credits. This page was last revised on December 29, 2021. It was originally submitted on December 26, 2021, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. This page has been viewed 656 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 26, 2021, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.