Community comes together to save Salvation Mountain
A major monument in Southern California is falling into disrepair. Salvation Mountain is crumbling after its creator Leonard Knight passed away in 2014. Now a group of people are coming together, to save the nearly 30 years of work Knight devoted to the project.
“Salvation Mountain has been cared for by the board of directors. There’s nine members; Leonard’s people, who are important to him, whether it be family or friends, they love this place and care for it,” said the mountain’s caretaker Ron Malinowski.
He lives on property and everyday works to repair a little bit of what’s falling apart.
“Well, right now I’m working on rebuilding the yellow brick road. I’m about two thirds of the way done with it. We’ve replaced the steps, we’ve put about a layer of paint, about this thick on there. That’s how you do that,” said Malinowski.
While it might not seem that bad from far away, up close, this mountain is disintegrating. But this community isn’t going to let this mountain turn to dust. Bill Ammon is on Salvation Mountain Board and said this mountain is too important to let go.
“Our mission is to preserve and promote Leonard’s message, and for me, this place is important, it’s a part of the whole identity of our little town here,” Ammon said.
It’s not just the locals who appreciate it, Luke Owen and his girlfriend traveled across the pond to get a glimpse of the mountain’s glory.
“Look at the pictures, it doesn’t really give it justice because here it’s really, really cool. And yeah, it’s a pretty spiritual place,” Owen said.
But in order to keep people coming from all over the world, they need one thing.
“Latex paint. Any kind any color, as long as it’s water based. Blue is our main sought after color, cause everywhere with the water and the seas, everything is blue, blue, blue,” Malinowski said.
Salvation Mountain survives on donations and the care of those committed to continuing Knight’s legacy. They said they hope their prayers to save this place are answered.
