Are there other places like Slab City?

Is there another place like Slab City?

2. East Jesus and Slab City, California. East Jesus calls itself an 'experimental, habitable, extensible artwork in progress' and has been around since 2009 in the area many people will recognize as 'Slab City.

Is there a lawless city?

In the middle of the California desert without food, running water, electricity, sewage, trash service, and… without laws, anywhere from 200 to 1500 squatters congregate to make up the last lawless land in the US.

Does Slab City still exist?

As of 2020, the community is largely divided into two: East Jesus and Slab City. Thousands of campers and RV owners, many retired, use the site during the winter months. The "snowbirds" stay only for the winter before migrating north in spring, to cooler climates.

Who owns the land at Slab City?

The state owns the land, and any revenues derived from it are earmarked for the California State Teachers Retirement System. Slab City nowadays is home to some 200 permanent residents and between 1,000 and 2,000 retirees seeking refuge from their native cold winter climes. Some of its residents are homeless.

What is Life in Slab City REALLY Like?

How does Slab City get water?

Because this water source comes from the hot springs, it's essentially used bath water. In any case, it's very high in iron & sulfur; it still tastes bad after filtering. You should bring in your own water for your stay in Slab City.

Is there crime in Slab City?

There are no laws officially enforced in the Slabs, meaning there is some inherent danger to going here. Sometimes a police cruiser will come by and check on the town, but there are no actual city services to turn to in times of crisis. Drug crimes are definitely a concern here.

Is Slab City toxic?

Keeley: Slab City is not dangerous if you keep to yourself and stay clean. It seems dangerous to drug users who intermingle and, especially in the heat, get on each other's nerves. In other places, citizens in this circumstance exchange words and ignore each other for the rest of their lives.

Who owns east Jesus?

Charlie Russell, the founder of East Jesus, initially came to the area to work alongside Knight, and quickly became enamoured with the idea of “The Last Free Place.” In early 2007, Charlie left his tech job, packed all his belongings into a shipping container, and began to surround his two art cars with the sculptures ...

Do federal laws apply to Slab City?

Slab City is known for being the “Last Free Place on Earth” or “The Last Lawless Land in America.” With this comes the assumption that there are no laws. However, federal and state law still applies here.

Do laws apply in Slab City?

Well, located in the Sonoran Desert in California, is America's only law-free area; Slab City. Its name comes from the concrete slabs that were left behind by Marine Corps barracks of Camp Dunlap during World War II. Several campers, travellers, and squatters occupy the area, many of which are retired.

Is Slab City free?

People have lived on Slab City's 640 acres for decades. They are squatters on state-owned land. They don't pay rent, and so it's often referred to as “the last free place in America.”

What happens if you swim in the Salton Sea?

The California State Water Resources Control Board today urged people and their pets to avoid the water in the Salton Sea due to a toxic algae outbreak. Officials said that patches of toxic cyanobacteria have been discovered at numerous sites in the sea, and a dog recently died after swimming in the water.

Is Slab City Lawless?

Slab City Used To Be A Military Base And Now Is Completely Lawless. The perma-Burning Man city was once a US Marine Camp. However, the abandoned land, which is about 140 miles east of San Diego, is now a haven for lawlessness.

Is Salton Sea worth visiting?

Pack your binoculars! The Salton Sea is a major draw for hundreds of different species of birds, making it a favorite stop for birdwatchers. The Salton Sea is home to the Sonny Bono National Wildlife Refuge. Thanks to its location within the Pacific Flyway, the Refuge is a significant spot for resting migratory birds.

Does Slab City have electricity?

Built on an abandoned military base in the middle of California's Sonoran Desert, Slab City doesn't have many modern amenities. No power lines or pipes carry electricity or fresh water to the city. Residents have to sort out their own system for disposing of sewage or trash.

How many crimes are committed in Slab City?

The rate of crime in Slab City is 15.26 per 1,000 residents during a standard year. People who live in Slab City generally consider the north part of the city to be the safest.

What is Slab City known for?

Called by some “the last free place” and by others “an enclave of anarchy,” Slab City is also the end of the road for many. Without official electricity, running water, sewers, or trash pickup, Slab City dwellers also live without law enforcement, taxation, or administration.

How hot does Slab City get?

But despite its wild appearance, Slab City has undergone a significant transformation in the last few years. Now its population swells to a few thousand people in the winter months and roughly 150 in the summer, when temperatures can soar up to 120 degrees Fahrenheit and leave desert dwellers particularly vulnerable.

What are the people like in Slab City?

"There's quite a range of people at Slab City," says Ken. "Some feel disgruntled with society and want something different. Others are there because they don't want to be under the government. We met a family with two young kids who came every year for a few months out of necessity, because it was cheap.

Can anyone live at Slab City?

Home to about 150 residents year-round and 4,000 in the winter months, Slab City has been called the Last Free Place on Earth as well as the Last Lawless Place.

When did Slab City start?

WWII would end in 1945, and the Department of Defense returned the land to the State of California in 1961. The military buildings were torn down, and only the concrete slabs remained. Thus, those that would come to settle the area later began referring to it as Slab City.