The Last Free Place in America Is a Town Built Completely Off the Grid
Slab City, California, situated in the desert near the Salton Sea, is renowned for its unique status as a community that operates outside the conventional structures of government, utilities, and traditional laws. It has even earned the title “the last free place” among some of its residents and visitors.
But what does it really mean to be “free” in a place like Slab City, and how has it come to exist in such an isolated and unconventional way?
The Origins of Slab City
Image via Wikimedia Commons/Galenasphaug
Slab City is located on the site of the former Camp Dunlap, a U.S. Marine Corps base used during World War II. After the camp was dismantled in the 1950s, it wasn’t long before squatters began to occupy the area by using the leftover concrete slabs that once supported the military buildings to build makeshift homes and structures. Over time, the settlement grew into what we now call Slab City.
Off the Grid Living
The biggest draw of Slab City is its complete lack of organized modern infrastructure. There’s no running water, electricity, sewage systems, or trash collection. Essentially, the basic services most of us take for granted don’t exist here.
However, for many residents, this is a feature, not a flaw. The absence of these utilities allows people to live on their own terms, outside the constraints of traditional society.
Some residents generate their own electricity with solar panels or wind turbines, while others rely on makeshift solutions for water and waste management. Although it can be a harsh and unforgiving environment, the community makes the most of what it has.
A Diverse Community
Slab City is home to a range of people, including artists, musicians, survivalists, and snowbirds seeking cheap land to park their RVs. Some come for the freedom, while others seek to escape personal struggles, such as homelessness or the societal pressures they face. Despite their differences, residents of Slab City share a unique spirit of independence and self-reliance.
One of the most famous attractions in Slab City is Salvation Mountain, an art installation created by the late Leonard Knight. It’s a massive hillside structure adorned with vibrant religious murals. Nearby, you’ll find East Jesus, another art project that’s become a staple of Slab City’s creative landscape.
The Contradictions of “Freedom”
Image via iStockphoto/Thomas De Wever
While many embrace the idea of Slab City as a place of total freedom, the reality is more complicated.
The community is largely self-regulated, with little formal oversight. However, even in this lawless environment, residents must still contend with the harsh realities of life in the desert. Emergency services are available, but they’re limited. Police occasionally patrol the area, although they often turn a blind eye to minor infractions.
The phrase “the last free place” often comes up when people describe Slab City, but freedom here is not without its costs. The community is not without its problems. Drug use, mental illness, and poverty are all part of the picture.
Many residents survive through barter or by accepting government assistance, but the living conditions can be harsh. The extreme heat of the summer and the isolation of the location make it a difficult place to live year-round, with only about 150 people calling it home during the hotter months.