Before the glitz and glamour, before the surfers and stars, Malibu echoed with a different kind of magic. The Chumash people, the original inhabitants, called this place Humaliwo, “the surf sounds loudly.” Malibu. Even the name carries the rhythm of the waves. Imagine standing here thousands of years ago, with the Santa Monica Mountains rising behind you and the vast Pacific stretching out before you, much as it does today. The Chumash thrived here, fishing in the abundant waters and crafting intricate art. Their village, Humaliwo, near Malibu Lagoon, was a hub of activity, the second largest Chumash settlement in the area.
Malibu’s story took a dramatic turn with the arrival of Spanish explorer Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo in 1542. He likely stopped at Malibu Lagoon for fresh water, unknowingly setting the stage for centuries of change. The Spanish presence solidified with the mission system, and the area became part of Rancho Topanga Malibu Sequit. In 1891, the entire expanse fell into the hands of Frederick Hastings Rindge. He and his wife, Rhoda May Knight Rindge, fiercely guarded their Malibu paradise.
After Frederick’s death, Rhoda May became a formidable guardian of Malibu. She fought tooth and nail against the Southern Pacific Railroad, determined to prevent a line from cutting through her land. In a strategic move, she even built her own railroad, the Hueneme, Malibu and Port Los Angeles Railway, exploiting a regulation that prevented another railroad from building a parallel line. But the fight took its toll. Forced into insolvency, Rhoda May started Malibu Potteries in 1926, a tile factory that briefly flourished before succumbing to the Great Depression. You can still see the beautiful Malibu tile work in the Adamson House, the Rindge family home, now a historic site within Malibu Creek State Park.
In 1929, the state finally won its battle against Rhoda May, building the Pacific Coast Highway, the very road that brings so many visitors to Malibu today. The highway opened up Malibu to the world, and Rhoda May was forced to sell and lease her land, marking the beginning of Malibu’s transformation into a haven for the rich and famous. One of the first areas to be developed was Malibu Colony, originally intended as a public relations strategy by Rhoda May to protect her property. It became a prestigious gated community, attracting Hollywood’s elite. Malibu, “The ‘Bu,” as it’s affectionately called, had begun its journey to becoming a global icon. From ancient Chumash village to celebrity enclave, Malibu’s history whispers in the rustling leaves and crashing waves. It’s a story of resilience, transformation, and the enduring power of a place where the surf sounds loudly.