Slab City, often referred to as “The Last Free Place in America,” is an unincorporated, offthe-grid community situated in the Sonoran Desert near Niland, California.
The land was originally used by the U.S. Marine Corps as a training base called Camp Dunlap during World War II. This base was eventually dismantled and decommissioned in the 1950s. They left behind the concrete slabs that had been the foundations for the buildings.
The land returned to the state of California. Without any immediate plans for the land, it became a haven for RV owners and squatters.
As the years passed, Slab City gained a reputation as a refuge for people seeking an alternative lifestyle, free from the constraints of modern society. This eclectic mix includes retirees, artists, drifters, and people seeking to live off-thegrid.
While Slab City provides a sense of freedom and community for its inhabitants, living conditions can be challenging. There is no official electricity, running water, sewage system, or waste disposal, so residents must be resourceful. The community's off-the-grid nature and its eclectic population make it a unique place in American culture.
