EDITORIAL ARCHIVE: SALVATION MOUNTAIN

Simple message - God is love, God loves everybody, God is universal.

I can dig that and I dont even believe in god!

Salvation Mountain is a giant, rainbow colored, man-made, mountain East of Niland, California, near the Salton Sea. 30 years in the making it was created from adobe, straw, and hundreds of thousands of gallons of latex paint by 78 year old Leonard Knight to convey the message that "God Loves Everyone". Leonard refuses donations of money or labor from supporters who wish to modify his message of universal love to favor or disfavor particular churches, and rejects fear based faith. He estimates that he has used over 250,000 gallons of paint on the mountain and surrounding structures. Steps cut into the side of the hill lead up a yellow brick road to the summit which is topped by a cross. Once labeled an environmental hazard, the hill was threatened with removal by Imperial County. In recent years, the furor seems to have died down and the project has been designated by the Folk Art Society of America as a site worthy of preservation and protection. Although the project is an unauthorized one on state land, Salvation Mountain was placed under protection in 2002 when Senator Barbara Boxer entered it into the Congressional Record as a national treasure. Knight lives fulltime at the site in a small cabin mounted on the rear of a scripture encrusted two-ton truck.

Directions from Los Angeles to Salvation Mountain: (200 miles), East on Interstate 5 past Palm Springs and Indio, south on 86S Expressway, Route 111 to Niland, east on Main Street to Salvation Mountain.