This is a brief history of the Malibu Golf Course which went bankrupt.
I lived with my husband Eino, a well-known, large marble sculptor, for 20 years on the far side of the property at 32926 Mulholland. We were there when Perfect Liberty purchased the 600 acres. At that time, they too wanted to build 200 homes around the course but were not permitted because of strong resistance from all our neighbors.
“Our” little house is, I believe, of importance to the history of Malibu. It was an original homestead built in 1914 by the Kester family and the only homestead still around.
On the same property stands what I believe to be one of the oldest buildings in Malibu, a 16-room mansion, which dates back to before Mulholland Highway was built. Donkeys hauled all of its materials in. It was to be a hunting retreat, at times owned by George Montgomery, and then for 35 years by Earl Brookins. It is made of Redwood and each room has a fireplace. Unfortunately, there was no sentiment by the golf course owner for either of the historical value of these places and they were stucco-ed over some years ago.
In 1978 during the great fire, Eino saved the little house at the great risk of his life. We so loved it and I miss it to this day. I am hoping that some group that values the history of “old Malibu” will save and preserve these places.
The golf course was a devastation to the environment and should never have been put there in the first place.
Christa Romppanen