SLAB CITY, California: A Unique Experience, Lifestyle & Community

CURIOUS MINDS want to know… as human beings, we want to see what the buzz is all about; off we go to check out “SLAB CITY”!!  Some will let fear stop them, but we say embrace the opportunity with compassion.

"Drop that fear you have... Take a risk and reveal the opportunity that's waiting on the other side..."   *♥♥♥* ~Everything Inspiring

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 “Slab City” or “The Slabs” known as the last FREE place on earth!  HOW did the “slabs” get created?  Ironically it’s an old military base; the Camp Dunlap Marine Training Facility.  It was abandoned in 1946 and dismantled by 1961 leaving only the cement foundations ~ “the slabs”.   

The “city” is located in southeastern California; about 3 miles from Niland, CA on Beal Road.   HOWEVER this is not your normal city although it does have some of the same accommodations such as:  church, library, social clubs, entertainment and plenty of art displayed about the city. 

How about that...internet cafe!

The Range - Live bands on Saturday at dust

  








EVERYONE IS WELCOME to experience the unique lifestyle, as you will find all types of people.  No matter the circumstance that brought you to the slabs, please remember everyone deserves respect.  Keep an open mind, be alert of your surroundings and enjoy the attractions and embrace the experience.  

So WHO might be at The Slabs?  As one lady told us; “there’s all kinds, but this is one place where the misfits – fit.”

• There are the snowbirds, mostly on a restricted income, looking for free to cheap places to spend the winters.  From big rigs to more colorful older trailers and usually stay in the lower flats. Most enjoy the comforts of home; flushing toilets, solar panels or generators to generate electricity, and all the other amenities of home.

• Then you have your families or individuals who have hit hard times during the economic decline.  NEVER DREAMED they would end up in The Slabs, as they had good jobs!  NOW no place else to go until they can land employment again.  Many have their kids with them, which creates a whole different set of problems/issues with other kids at their school. We all know how kids can be cruel, so if you believe in prayer, keep them in mind.

• Awe the artist ~ the ones that bring life into the space.  They are willing to share their many talents in all so many creative ways.  There are many spots around the place that showcase art, as well as music venues that host free entertainment. 

• How about the locals that live there full-time in make shift tents / housing or old rigs with stuff all around the place. Not sure how anyone could stand the summer temps as they reach 120 degrees most summers.

• And finally the homeless who just try to survive day to day.  

Just remember the community is both decommissioned and uncontrolled, and there is no charge for parking.

"So many of our dreams at first seem impossible, then they seem improbable, and then, when we summon the will, they soon become inevitable."  ~ Christopher Reeve

Salvation Mountain - Second Attempt

 
SALVATION MOUNTAIN is BIG and BOLD as you can spot the bright colors in the distant when entering The Slab. LOVE is everywhere with a strong message about GOD. 

In 1967 Leonard Knight got a powerful vision from God, which took over his life and traveled until he got to The Slabs in 1984.  Well soon he found out his vision to use a hot air balloon was not going to work to share the Sinner’s prayer. So he had planned to stay for “just one week” to build a “small monument” with a half of bag of cement.  One thing turned into another - weeks turned into months, and 25 years later he had created a rather BIG mountain with a message of LOVE being the core inspiration for anyone who wanted to visit.  As Mr. Knight often would stop working and visit with the people – never asking for any help or donations.

One of the tunneled life-size rooms

 LOVE and VISION = beautiful art

The monument keep growing - now stands over 50 feet tall and 150 feet wide, as there is a yellow brick road you can walk to the top for a great photo shot.   Then you can explore the bottom section to the side of the mountain that has tunneled life-size rooms, across the way are tunnels, branches, and a chapel.  Everywhere you look there are interesting visual details from the skeletons of the materials used, cravings, to large-bold paintings, and of course God’s word.  It is an amazing piece of art; and what joy he must have felt to be able to share his vision with others.  Not sure of Knight’s health, but he is no longer at The Slabs, a place he so loved.  To read the full story on Mr. Knight and the Salvation Mountain go HERE.

Hmmm...wonder how many have gone thru the gates?

A few more of Mr. Knight's creations to share the Love of God.

Just take a moment -  think of the time he put into his art.

 

 

 

 

 

LOL, it's not too late to stay ;)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

               

    

 

 

 

 

Have you visited "Slab City" yet?