False Summits: A History Podcast about the American West
The American West has been capturing the imagination for hundreds of years. Hollywood being one of its biggest promoters it gave it an almost mythical status in minds worldwide. Depicted as a rough and tumble place but with a bit of grit and termination on could achieve love and prosperity. Dose the realty hold up to the image? And if so, does it the same ring true today?
Dive into the blurry side of the American West with this darkly comedic history podcast. Join Mason Orlando, Jess Leigh, and Marcelo Aguilar as they explore the wild, weird, grim often terrifying events that create what the American West is today.
From bizarre outlaws and forgotten massacres to eccentric hermits and religious followers attempting to create utopia, this podcast takes a sharp, absurdist twist on Western American history. With a blend of dark humor, historical insight, and a dash of heathy commentary, each episode we cover weird, unsettling, and sometimes hopeful stories that may challenge your conception of the wild West.
False Summits: A History Podcast about the American West
"Last Free Place on Earth” Slab City CA
About 180 miles south east of Los Angeles in the harsh climate of the Sonoran desert lies Slab City, Coined the “Last Free Place on Earth” This off the gird community has been attracting people since the late 1960’s. In this “maiden episode” of False Summits Mason talks with Jess Leigh about the history of this small desert enclave made of retirees, artists, religious devotees, free thinkers, squatters, and other outliners came to be.
Show Sources links
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/inside-slab-city-squatters-paradise-southern-california-180970218/
https://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/1988/mar/10/cover-hot-place-in-the-sun/
https://www.npr.org/2012/01/24/145645412/down-and-out-escape-to-slab-in-california-desert
https://www.peopleareculture.com/salvation-mountain/
https://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/2015/mar/17/travel-welcome-east-jesus-ca/
https://www.sfgate.com/travel/article/slab-city-salvation-mountain-sale-in-california-18154437.php
https://www.rvtravel.com/slab-city-potential-sale-kill-rv-boondocking-there-rvt-1110b/
https://issuu.com/mcbcp_archives/docs/pendletonscout.4.2.011446.ocr
https://www.history.navy.mil/research/histories/ship-histories/danfs/d/dunlap.html
https://salvationmountain.org/home/our-mission/
https://eastjesus.org/
If you want to send a letter with your thoughts on the possible sale of Slab City & Salvation Mountain you can write the California State Lands Commission at:
100 Howe Avenue, Suite 100 South,
Sacramento, CA 95825.
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