History Of The Canyon Page 4
Doc Law’s (Burton C. Law, Drugs - as it was officially know) was the prominent soda shop, drug store, and gossip spot. One of the most colorful characters of Canyon history, Doc Law ran the soda shop doing a grand business in ice cream cones but an even more lucrative business during prohibition prescribing "elixirs" and mint juleps for those who knew the password. Beachfront property became prime real estate. Companies fought for just a few hundred feet of state-owned beach in order to open restaurants and refreshment stands.
The Canyon became a local oasis.Despite the consistent business, long-time canyonites were not as happy. Although they still maintained a spirit of hospitality, The Canyon was getting smaller. Local citizens and leading canyon merchants mounted a protest campaign against the selling of state-owned beach. They made their voices heard when homes or businesses were built in obtrusive places citing obstruction of ocean views, loss of recreational space, and, most importantly, the danger of setting a precedent in Canyon development. Though some of the most decadent years in canyon history, the 1930’s were the worst decade for natural disasters. On March 10, 1933, the Long Beach Earthquake caused severe damage. And then in March 1938 The Canyon experienced springtime flooding. It is said that the famous frog of Toed Inn floated out to sea and is still buried somewhere off our Santa Monica shore. But the hospitable spirit of The Canyon was at its finest hour as stories of neighborliness and compassion abounded in the clean up.

During the late 1930's and early 1940's, writers, sculptors, photographers, architects, movie directors, and artists of all types with varying eccentric niceties were settling into The Canyon. Writers Esther and David Malcolmson arrived in the early thirties. They opened their home to local, young, and aspiring writers for evening writing classes. Aviator Waldo Waterman, his wife, and daughter, Jane, moved into The Canyon bringing with them many aeronautical inventions and outspoken words for aviation safety. Photographer Edward Weston lived at a variety of addresses with his young bride Charis Wilson from 1935-1937. Ms. Wilson described life in The Canyon as a ‘picnic’. His photographs were featured at the 1937 Canyon School Fiesta and Art Fair. Everyone expressed their uniqueness, even housewives. As the story goes, two women on opposite sides of Rustic Creek wanted to thwart the sale of a wooden lot between them. When one heard the real estate agent approach, they sounded the alarm. With butcher knife in hand, one would run shrieking out of her house across the bridge and into her neighbor's home. The two would then dissolve into laughter as they watched the realtor and prospective buyers discomfort.During Word War II, again, many Canyonites went to fight. Canyon headquarters were established at the intersection of Entrada and Channel roads while a defense organization was formed to maintain block wardens and aircraft spotters.
The Pacific Palisades fire department held bomb drills at Canyon School. Many, including actress Laraine Day, opened their home to servicemen and those needing assistance. Girls knitted afghans for the Red Cross. The community led a scrap metal salvage campaign.