Although I lived in other places from 1961 to 1974, “home” was Topanga Beach in Malibu California. It was where I landed when I moved out from the Santa Monica Roberts’ family home I’d spent most of my life before then. And it was the last place I lived before moving to Aotearoa New Zealand.
During the 61-74 period I lived in three of the houses shown in this photo taken by Jeff Ort: in Evansville, Indiana for college, Santa Monica, Ocean Park, Venice, Maui, O’ahu, Costa Rica, Topanga Canyon, the Malibu Colony – even a few months in Pasadena. But I’d always return to Topanga Beach.
Having the State of California take over the beach, demolish the houses and destroy the community I’d been part of for so long was like having the Orcs destroy Hobbiton. Or like having something precious stolen and destroyed by barbarians, storm troopers or faceless, soulless bureaucrats.
So many of my most vivid memories are from Topanga Beach and I’ll be sharing them in this section as time permits.
Pieces from a Puzzling Life 
In ‘59 I lived at the top of the road, 18622 w Topanga Beach Rd. Next (south) of the house where Bobby Driscoll was living. It must be one of the houses in your picture but I’m not sure which one. I remember there was an attractive girl named Micki down the road.
Mike smith
Mikesmith@berkeley.edu
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The house Bobby lived in with his girlfriend and her young son was much further up the lane and closer to the highway. It was also higher off the beach. So the houses in the photo are further down the lane.
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Nikki Pratt
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Yes that’s her name. Thanks. We moved from Topanga beach in ‘61, my Mom to Manhattan beach and me to Hawaii to live on Tim Wingard’s Mom’s houseboat.
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CAROLL Pratt’s daughter…was Micky…she was same age as my older sister, Mimi… then when Scott came along I babysat for the Pratt’s which was a few houses up the road from ours.
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