dmcb Posted November 11, 2015 Report Share Posted November 11, 2015 Having visited the Slabs near Niland, Ca., its unique nature has always held a fond memory for us. A few years ago we visited again and was disappointed seeing how much it has gone downhill. We are Yuma for a few days getting dental work done in Mexico so today we decided to drive over to see what it looks like now. If you have been there before, don't go. If you have never been there, don't go. It would be easier to visit an old town dump. That is, for the most part, what it looks like. Salvation Mountain is still there and looks very good. It is being tended and they are doing a good job. There were a few rigs near it and that area looked good. Farther in, it was like a city dump. I talked to someone here in Yuma who has visited Slab City for several years. He said there were still a couple areas that were safe but for the most parts there were thieves, con artists, and meth labs. The best thing for that place is a huge bulldozer and a large hole. Btw, Niland doesn't look much better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pjstough Posted November 11, 2015 Report Share Posted November 11, 2015 We were there last February, and have pretty much the same assessment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lots2see Posted November 11, 2015 Report Share Posted November 11, 2015 I suspect 9 out of 10 people would find the Slabs somewhat repulsive and those that return occasional just accept it for what it is. Most of us spend our entire life in an antiseptic, sterile environment and become quite uncomfortable outside that experience. For anybody that's never been to the Slabs and wondering what it's all about think of it as a big encampment of the homeless and street people scattered around an area living there permanently hand to mouth as best they can. Leonard Knight, who created Salvation Mountain at the entry area, passed away in an elder care home in a San Diego suburb in February of 2014. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richfaa Posted November 12, 2015 Report Share Posted November 12, 2015 It was IMO a city dump 10 years ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimalberta Posted November 12, 2015 Report Share Posted November 12, 2015 Visited there last winter for a day. Untidy is one thing. Filthy is another....cant abide people who don't even try to keep clean.....turns them into animals. Some of them dump sewer on the ground and there is no excuse for that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Truckman Posted November 12, 2015 Report Share Posted November 12, 2015 We visited there in 2014 also while staying in Quartzsite. Our impression was the same as the rest of you that were there in recent years, mostly a "dumpy" area and no place we wold want to spend any time other than a drive by. Salvation mountain was about the only "nice" thing there. Certainly not what I had expected after reading about it many years ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biker56 Posted November 12, 2015 Report Share Posted November 12, 2015 It's never been on my bucket list of things to see. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirk W Posted November 12, 2015 Report Share Posted November 12, 2015 It's never been on my bucket list of things to see. We drove though the area once several years ago, just to see for ourselves. It looked to us like slum living even then and one look was more than enough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougdogs Posted November 12, 2015 Report Share Posted November 12, 2015 Haven't been there since the winter of 1988. I bet I would not even recognize it now! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dewilso Posted November 12, 2015 Report Share Posted November 12, 2015 Back when my grandparents were RV'ers, (I'm in my 70’s) the slabs = the slums. Did anyone really expect an improvement? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BasicRV Posted November 13, 2015 Report Share Posted November 13, 2015 Definitely slummy. Would not recommend a visit... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmcb Posted November 13, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 13, 2015 We were there several times in the 80's. I thought it was a unique and safe place. People gathered there year after year. There was someone in town that broadcast news over the CB radio. They would take calls from anyone and relay to those staying there. You could have a newspaper delivered to your door if you wanted. There was someone who would set up a fresh water tank on a stand and keep it filled for you. There was garbage pickup. There was a large flea market that had anything an RV'er would ever need. There were mechanics, welders, and other services that might be needed. It was a city without a government that did a good job of running itself. Then the flea market was forced to close. Must have taken business away from someone. People were allowed to squat year around. That was the beginning of the end. It is an old military R&R base. The slabs are the cement floors for the buildings. There were streets as such. Nothing there. For sewage one would dig a gopher hole. That is what it was called. As there is no water to contaminate, the sewer hose would be placed in the hole, a board over it, then dirt Someone was even available to dig the hole for you. Darn shame what was allowed to happen here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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