In the middle of California’s desert, near the community of Niland, stands a colourful mountain unlike almost anything else in the region. At its heart are three simple words: “God Is Love.”
Known as Salvation Mountain, the vast folk-art environment was created by Leonard Knight, who spent nearly three decades building, painting and repairing the unusual landmark.
His first idea was meant to fly
Knight originally wanted to spread his religious message through an enormous hot-air balloon. The project repeatedly failed, however, and after arriving in Southern California in the mid-1980s, he found another way to bring his message to life.
He began with a small monument on a desert ledge, using little more than a bucket, shovel and cement.
The first mountain collapsed
Knight gradually added sand, cement and discarded materials, but his first structure eventually collapsed.
He started again, experimenting with native adobe clay before beginning construction of a second mountain in late 1989. This time, adobe clay and straw provided the main structure, creating the foundation for the landmark seen today.
Paint turned it into something extraordinary
Paint became just as important as adobe and straw. Knight covered the mountain in bright colours, flowers, hearts, birds, waterfalls and biblical messages.
The preservation organisation says some sections received more than ten coats of paint, with the layers helping protect the structure from cracking. Much of the paint was donated by visitors and supporters.
The exact amount used has varied in reports, but thousands of gallons of donated paint helped transform and maintain the mountain.
It became much more than a mountain
Over time, Knight expanded the site into a sprawling folk-art environment featuring sculptures, decorated vehicles and other structures made from materials including tyres, wood and adobe.
He also built a domed structure known as the Hogan and another area called the Museum, drawing inspiration from his earlier balloon project.
Knight’s message outlived him
Salvation Mountain was recognised as a folk-art site worthy of protection in 2000. Knight continued working on it despite the harsh desert conditions until declining health forced him into long-term care.
He died in February 2014 at the age of 82.
Today, organisations and volunteers continue efforts to preserve the remarkable creation he left behind — a desert landmark built slowly, patiently and almost entirely around one enduring message.