[Kelseecat65]

This is a most interesting place that I have visited and it is a place that if given the chance, everyone should visit once, if possible. A step back in time, in some ways, to a more simple way of living. A place that was hot and miserable in the southern CA sun, a place that personally, without air conditioning and fresh water, is not an ideal place to live. It has drug addicts seeking a safe place, snow birds, RV campers, families evicted from their homes all in search of a tax free/no rent environment to stay. Slab city offers no running water, no showers, toilets or electricity. That makes it dreadful in many respects. However, the people that live there, off the grid, for many reasons, call it home.

Information:

Slab City is a squatter community located on the abandoned Camp Dunlap Marine Training Facility, 4 miles east of Niland, in southern California.

This 640-acre compound, located approximately 120 feet below sea level in the desert near Salton Sea, began operating October 15, 1942 as a training ground for US troops during World War II.

On March 5, 1946, it's operations ceased, and the buildings were removed and sold. By 1961, the base had been completely dismantled and abandoned. Only the cement foundations of buildings remained, thus providing a convenient name for the area, Slab City.

Soon afterwards, RV campers began to occupy the area during winter months to take advantage of the rent-free parking. Over time it has become home to not only the snowbirds, but to the homeless as well.

Residents of “The Slabs,” as it is called, are squatters living in trailers and recreational vehicles in various stages of upkeep. Many people build their own structures, tents and shacks. Most survive off of food stamps or social security benefits: usually for retirement or disability. Some are families who have lost their home/jobs and have brought their family here to life. Some support themselves through barter, trade and odd jobs from other Slabbers, or Slab City residents.

With a strange assortment of people that have come together in a harsh environment, with no utilities and virtually no structure, and implemented a wide array of social institutions without benefit of government or budget.

Despite an obvious setup for law-breaking behavior and a population in constant flux, most Slabbers carry on convivial traditions year after year.
They have their own rules (“be kind, but stay out of other people’s business”), services (waste disposal and water supply for a small fee), businesses (Solar Works for affordable photovoltaics), salvage-based artwork and social clubs.

The population encompasses a wide range of financial circumstances, ages, styles of dress and bathing behaviors (though there are few school-age children). As one white-haired slabber says, “This is one of the few places in America where freedom is still free.”

Slab City is a vibrant community, home to artists and musicians who create and display their work in places like East Jesus' art garden or Builder Bill's stage, The Range, which hosts a weekly open mic show every Saturday night. Residents join social clubs like the Oasis Club or Loners on Wheels where they meet for morning coffee, meals and happy hours. Others prefer to live on the edge of it all, because even in the desert, quiet can be hard to find.

Slab City is both decommissioned and uncontrolled – there is no charge for parking your RV. The camp has no electricity, no running water or other services (most campers use generators or solar panels to generate electricity).

The State of California is considering closing Slab City to the public permanently. Over the years, people have desecrated the desert, and left their trash and human waste behind. Instead of driving their RVs to a proper dumping station, some people have chosen to simply dig a hole in the ground. A growing portion of Slab City is now littered with "septic pits", old clothing, rusty vehicles and trash of all kinds.

Slab City was featured in the book "Into the Wild", and also in the 2007 movie of the same name.

Slab City Organization website
http://www.slabcity.org

I will be adding a thread on Salvation Mountain & East Jesus, which are extended parts of Slab City.

[rapeWhistle]

The VICE documentary on Slab City was pretty interesting.

[Kelseecat65]

I will have to check it out!!

[Sharon]

Interesting place to learn of

[Faline]

Quite a place

[kellyhound]

luv the toilet and sign lol