The Peculiar Truth about the Republic of Molossia
Drive about 40 miles northeast of South Lake Tahoe, through the small town of Dayton, go to the end of Mary Lane, and you’ll come to a “nation” nestled in the Nevada scrubland. It will be easy to spot with its simple wooden fences and single story desert homes.
Welcome to the Republic of Molossia. Population 37. That’s 36 humans plus one dog.
A middle-aged man in a quasi-military uniform will greet you at the official entrance. He’ll be wearing a green, white, and blue sash, the official state flag colors. Numerous vague medals will be pinned to the chest of his drab green jacket.
He governs the 11+ acres of land that make up the desert micro-nation. His full title is His Excellency President Grand Admiral Colonel Doctor Kevin Baugh, President of Molossia, Protector of the Nation and Guardian of the People.
Before entering his country, you will be asked to surrender any “contraband,” which means no onions, no plastic shopping bags, no incandescent light bulbs, and no walruses. Also forbidden are salesmen and missionaries.
Yes, it’s all tongue in cheek. One long, dedicated satire - and an ongoing civics lesson - by a retired member of the US Air Force.
It all began when Kevin Baugh was a teenager. He and a friend, James Speilman, created their first imaginary country in 1977.
Baugh married and purchased the current property in 1998. That’s when he named it the Republic of Molossia. The running gag has been rolling along since then.
If you bring your passport, it can receive the official government stamp (only with your approval). Then you’re welcome to visit the territory.
Your first stop might be Government House. That’s the personal residence of His Excellency Kevin Baugh and First Lady Adrianne Baugh. The official blue, white, and green flag flies outside.
Or you might visit the Post Office, a wooden structure the size of a garden shed. After that you can see the Office of the President, a slightly larger shed that can accommodate a desk and chair.
Despite having no paved roads, the Republic of Molossia boasts its own navy (inflatable kayaks) and a railroad (miniature model trains on tiny tracks).
It also had its own currency, which is called the valora. It’s said to be equal in value to cookie dough.
The country has its own time zone, too - Molossian Standard Time is GMT -8 hours and 39 minutes.
Molossia has been at war with the former East Germany for decades, despite the former Soviet country no longer existing.
Every May 26 is Founders Day, a national holiday. It commemorates when Molossia was founded in 1977.
The micro-nation exists completely within the confines of the United States, even if the surrounding nation doesn’t formally recognize Molossia as a separate republic. The Molossian government provides “financial assistance” to the US in the form of federal taxes.
The nation is open to tourism only once a month on specific Saturdays between late April and mid-October. Make arrangements via their website. Don’t arrive unannounced. Visitors are advised that if they want to see everything there is to see in Molossia they should plan on spending nearly one full hour.
For more information, visit Molossia’s official website. https://www.molossia.org
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