In 1956 Grandma Prisbrey began assembling a collection of bottles, concrete and discarded objects that would become known as Bottle Village, an off‑beat folk‑art environment in Simi Valley.
From a Cheap Wall to a Whole Community
Having moved to the valley in 1947, Tressa “Grandma” Prisbrey bought a one‑third‑acre lot with her husband, Al. The couple lived near a poultry farm and soon needed a retaining wall and a storage shed.
Conventional cement blocks were too pricey for the modest budget. Instead, she drove to a local dump in her Studebaker pickup, loading up bottles, broken tiles and other refuse that could be set in cement.
The main building phase stretched from 1956 to 1965, during which she erected a series of small houses, pathways and decorative features. By the end of that period the site comprised thirteen structures linked by colorful mosaic walkways.
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The Pencil House and Personal Touches
One of the most talked‑about structures was the “Pencil House,” built to house an enormous collection of pencils—estimates range from 2,000 to 17,000 pieces. The house’s walls are lined with the writing tools, creating a quirky interior.
Other elements include glass bottles embedded in concrete, dolls, tiles and assorted junk that serve both structural and ornamental purposes. The eclectic mix gives each building a distinct character, yet the overall layout feels surprisingly cohesive.
Visitors soon recognized the woman behind the creation. She welcomed guests, pointing out oddities, sharing stories and even performing on a piano in a space she called the Meditation Room.
The nickname “Grandma” stuck.
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Official recognition followed. In 1979 the site earned the status of a Ventura County Cultural Landmark, and two years later it was listed as a California Registered Historical Landmark.
The 1994 Northridge earthquake, measuring 6.7 on the Richter scale, caused extensive damage to the fragile constructions.
Despite the destruction, preservationists rallied. The site was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1996, prompting a wave of volunteer‑led repairs.
Restoration work has continued for decades, with volunteers carrying out preservation efforts.
