Larry Stone's profile

Slab City / Desert Discovery

This is a photo expedition in Slab City, Niland, CA. It is about 20 miles from the US/Mexico border and is the largest free hobo-camp in the United States. Formed on a former military base, "The Slabs" has since grown to about 2,000 people. Eccentrics, Doctors, Drunks, Mentally Insane, and Fugitives live in Slab City and make it in to a (near) functioning place with a public library - only outdoor one in America - along with a golf course and music stage. Camping here for a few days, I met some amazing people and I present you with a selection from my findings. I have about 300 more photos to go through along with some medium-format Diana work which I will post on to Behance in the coming weeks.

Thank you -Andy
View during the drive to Slab City. Extensive and flat desert stretches out and you can tell you are within half an hour of Niland, CA because the smell hits you far before the view ever will.

An extensive shipping region for trains on the left and a view of one of the bands during the Slab City talent show. (Same stage as was shot during the film Into the Wild)

A couple sits on the outskirts of the stage during the annual talent show.

A wide view of a destroyed trailer and a former house (in the background) sitting on the salt of Bombay Beach. The smell and heat were overpowering at times around Bombay Beach.

Leonard Knight, a devout Christian who lives his life to the simple phrase of "God is Love" and has built literally a mountain in honor of his faith. The clay and paint mountain, dubbed Salvation Mountain, sits on the outskirts of Slab City.

A candid photo of Leonard as he explains his "keep is simple" philosophy of life in the interior of Salvation Mountain

A panoramic photo of a former house near Bombay Beach. The flooding destroyed the foundation of the building and the ground is now a soft mulch of salt and the smell of rotting.
 
Ron (on the left) takes shade near Salvation Mountain and is a close friend of Leonard Knight. Luke (on the right) stands with a Coke listening to the annual talent show and poses for a photo.

A local motorcyclist out from the of the Niland City flea market.

A photo of Dr. Sheilah Randolph who moved to Slab City after herhusband died and is now a veterinarian for the local strays andwildlife.

She has a PhD in Biology along with a Masters in Chemistry and was called to "The Slabs" and away from the Yukon eight years ago. She lives in a trailer along with about 30 adopted pets. Going in to Niland only for groceries and to check the mail twice a month, she is content living in Slab City

I hope that you have enjoyed the photos. Please leave any feedback/critiques as necessary. Thanks.

Slab City / Desert Discovery
Published:

Slab City / Desert Discovery

This is a photo expedition in Slab City, Niland, CA. It is about 20 miles from the US/Mexico border and is the largest free hobo-camp in the Unit Read More

Published: