East Jesus is an experimental habitable art installation located in Slab City. It was started by Charlie Russel who left his job in 2007 and moved to a field covered in garbage in Slab City. He lived surrounded by two art cars with sculptures and that became East Jesus. After his death, a non-profit was formed to keep and expand the area.
The area East Jesus is in is Slab City or the Slabs. The U.S. Marine Corps abandoned Fort Dunlap and eventually dismantled the buildings in 1956, leaving only the buildings foundations. The State of California took ownership of the land but did nothing to it. Employees of a nearby chemical company made a temporary settlement there to be close to work. That settlement attracted people who wanted to live of the grid, snowbirds and people who want to be left alone. No fees are charged. There is a lot of off roaders who use this area too. The population swells in winter to a few thousand but less than a couple hundred stay through the summer.
At the entrance of Slab City is Salvation Mountain. The hill is three stories covered in latex paint with Bible verses. It was made over two decades by Leonard Knight using hay bales, cement and anything else he could find. This mountain was the second he attempted as the first one collapsed. A public charity was started in 2012 to maintain it after Mr Knight became unable to. He died in 2014.
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