Arch Rock (Topanga) Explained

Arch Rock was a natural arch formation located just south of Topanga Canyon^[1] along the coast of Santa Monica Bay, Los Angeles County, California in the United States.

Arch Rock was located at what is now 18412 Pacific Coast Highway.^[2] It was a popular destination for day trips from the young town of Santa Monica.^[3] The arch collapsed or was surreptitiously demolished the evening of March 24, 1906, possibly because it was an inconvenient obstacle to creating a coast route for the new-fangled automobiles.^[4] Another account says a railroad crew dynamited the formation under cover of darkness. A coach route had previously traveled right under the arch but was only accessible at low tide.^[5]

Nearby Castle Rock was demolished as part of a road expansion project in 1945.

Notes and References

1. Web site: 1901 Calabasas topographic map (USGS) .
2. Web site: Masters . Nathan . 2013-05-02 . Arch and Castle Rocks: Lost Landmarks of PCH . 2023-04-05 . KCET . en.
3. "SANTA MONICA BY THE SEA. AN ALL=YEAR=ROUND RESORT." Los Angeles Times (1886-1922), Jul 05, 1898, pp. 29.
4. "ARCH ROCK IS GONE.: FAMOUS OLD LAND-MARK AT SANTA MONICA CRUMBLES AND FALLS DURING LAST RAINSTORM." Los Angeles Times (1886-1922), Mar 25, 1906.
5. Web site: Arch Rock, near Santa Monica, California . 2023-04-05 . pepperdine.contentdm.oclc.org . en.