GRANDMA PRISBREY'S BOTTLE VILLAGELocation: Simi Valley, CA
Accessibility: By appointment only Constructed: |
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Located in Simi Valley, California, Grandma Prisbrey’s Bottle Village was built over the course of 25 years by one woman who used 90,000 bottles, recycled materials, and her own two hands. Born in 1896, Tressa Prisbrey hailed from the lands of Minnesota. In her ripe teenage years, Tressa married her sister’s ex-husband, with whom she shared seven children. Sadly, Tressa would live on to witness the passing of six of her seven children, as well as her husband.
In 1946, Tressa moved to Simi Valley where she met her next husband, Al Prisbrey. Adamant about claiming a spot to call home, Al and Tressa removed the tires from their trailer and placed it on one-third of an acre on Cochran Street. At this point, Tressa had a collection of over 17,000 pencils. Needing a good location to store her impressive collection, Tressa started to build a house for her pencils. At the age of 60, Tressa started this project using colored bottles from the local dump, and thus Bottle Village was born.
By 1961, Tressa had created 16 buildings and structures, which include a mosaic sidewalk, Cleopatra’s bedroom, the Leaning Tower of Bottle Village, the Doll Head Shrine, the Round House, and a schoolhouse. In 1974, Tressa “Grandma” Prisbrey made Bottle Village available for tours at just 25 cents an entrance.
Tressa officially left Bottle Village in 1982 and passed away in 1988 after her creation was turned over to the Preserve Bottle Village Committee. Despite suffering severe damage due to the 1994 Northridge earthquake, Bottle Village remains a standing reminder of the history of Simi Valley. Today, Bottle Village is available to visit by appointment. Join us as we spend the day exploring Grandma Prisbrey’s Bottle Village.
In 1946, Tressa moved to Simi Valley where she met her next husband, Al Prisbrey. Adamant about claiming a spot to call home, Al and Tressa removed the tires from their trailer and placed it on one-third of an acre on Cochran Street. At this point, Tressa had a collection of over 17,000 pencils. Needing a good location to store her impressive collection, Tressa started to build a house for her pencils. At the age of 60, Tressa started this project using colored bottles from the local dump, and thus Bottle Village was born.
By 1961, Tressa had created 16 buildings and structures, which include a mosaic sidewalk, Cleopatra’s bedroom, the Leaning Tower of Bottle Village, the Doll Head Shrine, the Round House, and a schoolhouse. In 1974, Tressa “Grandma” Prisbrey made Bottle Village available for tours at just 25 cents an entrance.
Tressa officially left Bottle Village in 1982 and passed away in 1988 after her creation was turned over to the Preserve Bottle Village Committee. Despite suffering severe damage due to the 1994 Northridge earthquake, Bottle Village remains a standing reminder of the history of Simi Valley. Today, Bottle Village is available to visit by appointment. Join us as we spend the day exploring Grandma Prisbrey’s Bottle Village.