I’ve been wanting and waiting a number of years to visit this “town”. Granted, you have to be a little kooky (maybe a lot), but I’ll own up to that.
Slab City or The Slabs, takes its name from the concrete slabs that remain from the abandoned World War II Marine barracks of Camp Dunlap. It is close to the town of Niland, about 150 miles northeast of San Diego. There is a group of about 150 permanent residents who live in the Slabs all year round. Some of these “Slabbers” make their living by way of Social Security, and Social Security Disability. Some have been driven to the Slabs through poverty. Others have moved to The Slabs to learn how to live completely off the grid and to be left alone, or to be, and remain, anonymous. Still others have moved there to stretch their retirement income. In the winter, the numbers swell to several thousand, living in their RVs. These “snowbirds” stay only for the winter, before heading north again in the spring to cooler climates. In the slabs, temperatures during the summer are as high as 120 °F.
The site seems to be uncontrolled, and there is no charge for parking. There is no electricity, no running water, no sewers nor toilets, and no trash pickup service. Many campers use generators or solar panels to generate electricity. Supplies can be purchased in nearby Niland, located about four miles to the southwest of Slab City.
It more than satisfied my curiosity to visit a place that I’ve longed to see, but the reality of the runaways and destitute who live there saddened me. But those we saw seemed determined to survive – a real gritty bunch. Out of respect, we chose to refrain from taking pictures of people. But we did manage to take plenty of other pictures so you could get a sense of the community.
GETTING CLOSE…
LEAVE YOUR “BAGGAGE” HERE
WE MADE IT…
SALVATION MOUNTAIN
COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD
DIRECTION…
GOOD IDEA…
EAST JESUS
This is an experimental, sustainable, habitable, art installation. There is no religious connotation in the name East Jesus – it’s a colloquialism for the “middle of nowhere”. In early 2007, a man named Charlie Russell left his job in the technology industry, and moved to The Slabs. There, he collected discarded items, and used them for self-expression. Mixed-media art covers nearly every inch of the interior and exterior. The sign outside welcomes all to enter and enjoy.
ART TRUCK
THE RANGE – ENTERTAINMENT
The Range is an open-air nightclub complete with stage, lights, amplifiers, speakers and tattered seats, mostly from discarded cars. Every Saturday night at about dusk, the locals and visitors meet for a Talent Show that features permanent resident musicians and anyone else who wants to get up on stage and perform. The venue is run by an old time resident of 14 years named Builder Bill.
A PLACE TO SLEEP…
A PLACE TO CONNECT…
EXIT WARNING – INDEED …