Grandma Prisbrey’s Bottle Village

When is this place open? There are no hours listed and the phone number is disconnected. Drove out to see it and its locked up :(

Though what exists today is just a fraction of what Bottle Village was back in the 60’s, it remains a fascinating folk art relic well worth a visit. At age 60, Grandma Prisbrey woke up and decided to dedicate the rest of her life to building colorful bottle houses, and sidewalk mosaics of junkyard whatnot, and creative fountains and gardens in which to display her doll heads, most of which was amazingly accomplished over the course of only 5 years. Sadly, much of her work was destroyed in the Northridge quake, but Preserve Bottle Village, a non-​profit, has been working over the past few years to restore it to its original splendor (or best approximation of original based on photo archives). The organization leads a monthly group tour which is presently the only way to experience Bottle Village (outside of poking your head over the fence…). At $ 10 it is money well spent to walk through this field of creativity.

Interesting place in our own backyard. If you get a chance get book called. ‘Weird in California’ which brings you to these bizarre places.
Quite and amazing journey into modern folk art and perhaps a little bit of crazy. They ask for $ 10 donation which is very fair considering you will not sew anything like this again. It’s truly one of the next spectacles in the area.

I saw it on an old episode of California’s Gold and made the trip over, only to discover that it’s closed.
Granted, the place gave me the heebie jeebies, but it’s still a labor of love I can appreciate. That’s a dang ‘ol heck of a lot of bottles.

Since the Northridge earthquake, Bottle Village has been closed to the public for safety reasons. However, if you do a little digging, you can contact someone on the Board of Directors to give you a private it tour. It’s worth the extra effort, especially since the time is ticking on how long this wonderful place will be withstand environmental factors, etc.
This is one of the most remarkable examples of outsider art in the world. So much so that even Pulp’s Jarvis Cocker included it in a BBC documentary he produced on «Outsider Art» back around 1999.
Other reviews and the wikipedia page explains better than myself the history and the making of the village:
What has always struck me most, in a powerful way, was that Grandma Prisbey used the building of these structures as a way to work through the grief over losing all of her children. It also strikes me that she was probably a wonderful light to be around:
«Anyone can do something with a million dollars. Look at Disney,» Prisbrey once said. «But it takes more than money to make something out of nothing, and look at the fun I have doing it.» When visitors would come to Bottle Village when Grandma Prisbrey was still alive, she would first take them on a tour but then end in her meditation room where she would allow them to meditate as well as listen to her sing different songs. She would charge only 75 cents a visit but people would frequently give her more.”

Cool looking place, and it is California Historic Landmark No. 939.
I did not make a reservation, so I had to look over the fence and be satisfied with that. Worth stopping to at least take a look; if you are hardcore then I suggest contacting the caretakers/​owners of this site for a tour, if possible.

The first time I went to Bottle Village it was 1996, a friend asked me to go help him clean up «this cool place» for a friend. I met Janice, the President of Bottle Village who gave me a tour and then we spent the day cleaning up leaves and branches and listening to stories about Grandma Prisbey. It was amazing. Janice gave me a deed for one square foot of Bottle Village, so disclaimer — I’m reviewing a place that I’m «part owner» of (haha).
Seriously, Bottle Village has been the victim of some intense battles between those that would like it razed, who clearly don’t understand the value of this historical art and those dedicated caretakers (like Janice, who I found out recently passed away) who know how important the place is, not only in the context of local history, but as an awe-​inspiring example of «trash» as treasure, beauty, patience.
I haven’t been back in years — but Bottle Village left an impression on me and haunts me — and I can’t bear the idea of it being gone. Now I’m going to see if there’s anything I can do to help.
Here’s a couple links — the bottom one is a documentary made in 1982

Grandma Prisbey’s Bottle Village in Simi Valley is not just a historical landmark, it’s also an inspiration. Grandma Prisbey was 60 years old when she began this monumental project. Taking trips to the dump (before there were landfills) and collecting discards, she created her beautiful masterpiece. Gorgeous buildings with walls of colored glass, mosaic walkways, and even doll-​head gardens with thousands of treasures permanently on display for all to see.
Or at least, they would be for all to see if the City of Simi Valley and the group of volunteers who are trying to keep this place alive could come to a functioning agreement.
Bottle village was closed in 1984 due to «unsafe conditions», and ten years later, the 94 Northridge earthquake toppled much of what was left. Still, there is plenty of history left in this place, and it should be seen. It is an inspiration for children, who love the colors and the imagination throughout the lot. It’s like a picture book come to life, complete with a story of a zany old lady with a funny name who had a dream and made it a reality. And it’s a kick in the pants to anyone who forgets that you’re never too old to start something new.
You can drive by any time and take a look through the padlocked gate at what must have been one amazing sight at one time.
But seeing it from the outside is nothing compared to an actual tour. While Bottle Village is technically closed, tours are available to anybody who really wants one. Making a donation, of course, is one surefire way to get in, and a worthwhile way at that.