Slab City/Camp Dunlap (site)

 Second World War 1939-1945, campground, interesting place, historic ruins

Slab City is one of the few places left that offer free camping. It's on the site of former Camp Dunlap and was threatened with removal by the State, but is now open. Worthy of a visit even if you're not going to camp here.

The Navy Department obtained 631.345 acres in fee for use as Camp Dunlap Naval Reservation through condemnation proceedings on 6 February 1942. The Final Judgement stated that the land shall revert to and revest in the State of California if the land is no longer used by the U.S. for national defense purposes.

Construction of Camp Dunlap was completed in 1942. Improvements included an estimated 30 buildings, a water treatment system, distribution system, sewage collection and treatment system, over 8.2 miles of paved streets, recreational areas including a 76 x 165 foot foot swimming pool, and concrete fuel tanks. The 631.345 acre site was used by the Marine Corps as headquarters for Camp Dunlap at which over 185,000 troops received special artillery training over a 3-year wartime high-activity period. After the war, military operations at this location wound down, but a "fair sized" contingent was said to remain until 1949. A skeleton crew was maintained until the base was dismantled in 1956.

The land was determined to be no longer required by the Department of Defense and conveyed to the State of California by quitclaim deed dated 6 October 1961. The deed did not contain any restrictions, a recapture clause, or any restoration provisions. All of the former Camp Dunlap buildings have been removed. The remaining slabs are not proposed for removal.

Roughly 200 transient residents now occupy the site. During the winter months, thousands of campers, mostly elderly retirees, arrive to the site for the warmer desert weather and lack of fees. The seasonal residents are known as “snow-birds,” and most come to the area in their RV’s. Although a small population of people also live there year round, suffering the hard summer months when temperature rises above 120 degrees Fahrenheit. The permanent residents of Slab City called “slabbers”, most often end up there because of poverty, though many stay for the feeling of freedom that comes with living in an uncontrolled, off the grid area in the middle of the desert. Residents are forced to rely on solar panels and their own waste system for the lack of electricity, fresh water and sewage treatment. The residents also share one communal shower which is fed by a hot spring 100 yards away. The campsite also features its own community library, golf course, sculpture garden, two live music stages and several social clubs.

www.militarymuseum.org/CpDunlap.html