Salvation Mountain

Salvation Mountain is located in southeastern California between I-8 and I-10 outside of Niland in an area known as Slab City.  In 2000 Salvation Mountain was deemed a National Folk Art Site, and in 2002 it was named a national treasure in the Congressional Record of the United States. 

Leonard Knight, founder of Salvation Mountain, wanted to share his love of God.  After previous attempts had failed he arrived in Niland in 1984 and decided to construct a mountain. His first attempt started in 1986, but it collapsed in 1989. That same year he began his second attempt, which was more successful and is what is still standing today. Adobe clay and straw are the main ingredients for the structure that stands three stories high and contains about 10 layers of paint to help preserve the art. Knight continued to build and add to Salvation Mountain until he had to be moved into a long-term care facility in 2011. Since Knight’s death in 2014, Salvation Mountain is maintained by a 501c non-profit organization known as Salvation Mountain, Inc.