The Weird and Wonderful Glass Forest of Bottle Tree Ranch

, 3 Comments on The Weird and Wonderful Glass Forest of Bottle Tree Ranch

In my Amboy Crater post, I mentioned Patrick and I are intermittently traveling the full stretch (or as much of it that is accessible) of Route 66 through California, with the eventual plan to do a lengthly blog post sharing the unique sights from the Arizona border to the sunny shores of Santa Monica. However, there are some places that are worthy of their own blog post, just like the Amboy Crater was. So, while we work towards creating a border-to-ocean post, I plan highlight some of the places that are too wonderful and too photogenic to just have a photo or two in that future-planned, longer blog post. Today I’m pleased to share with you Elmer’s Bottle Tree Ranch.

Abstract tree like sculptures made up of bottles sit clustered under a real tree, a sign reading "Route US 66" is attached to the bottom of one sculpture.

A large painted sign reads "Welcome Come On In" in large white letters, welcoming visitors to Bottle Tree Ranch.

Wide, overall shot of Bottle Tree Ranch. The "bottle trees" are tall metal posts with smaller rods jutting out from the side, with glass bottles slid onto them. Some of the trees are topped with various items, such as car doors, stop lights, wheels, lanterns, and signs.

During Route 66’s glory days, it was home to many unique and bizarre tourist traps, vying for the motorist dollar, however, Elmer’s Bottle Tree Ranch is not a relic of those days, no, believe it or not, Bottle Tree Ranch actually a product of the 21st century. Beginning around 2000, Elmer Long started creating this unique tree-like sculptures using discarded bottles, and items such as rifles, typewriters, sewing machines, and more to top them off. The result is something that fits right in along Route 66, like it has always been there. So, while not one of the mid-century tourist destinations, Bottle Tree Ranch certainly has the spirit of the early tourist attractions that could have been found along the Mother Road.

A phone from the 1930s or 40s sits atop a short bottle tree, with taller bottle trees in the distance.

Somewhat wide shot showcasing the middle section of various "bottle trees" which are tall metal posts with smaller rods jutting out from the side, with glass bottles slid onto them.

Sale signs from a vintage cash register.

Myself, standing amid the glass bottle tree forest.

An old Jeep sits in the middle of the bottle tree forest.

The tops of some of the trees, which include a rifle, "Mines Danger" sign, lantern, and bird house.

The sun peeks through a real tree that looms over the bottle trees, making some of the bottle glow.

A vintage, hand painted menu board, featuring items such as burgers, tacos, and beverages, all with prices under $1. A small statue of Mary sits in front, various tall bottle trees are behind the menu.

An old, rusted mine car sits amid the various bottle trees.

Wide, overall shot of Bottle Tree Ranch. The "bottle trees" are tall metal posts with smaller rods jutting out from the side, with glass bottles slid onto them. Some of the trees are topped with various items, such as wheels, lanterns, and signs. In the middle a missile stands on its end.

The dash of an old Jeep, with bottle trees through the windshield.

Various bottles sit atop an old ice box.

Wide, overall shot of Bottle Tree Ranch. The "bottle trees" are tall metal posts with smaller rods jutting out from the side, with glass bottles slid onto them. Some of the trees are topped with various items, such as wheels, lanterns, and signs.

An old radiator makes up the base of a bottle tree.

Various bottle trees, and a vintage sign reading the distances to other desert towns, including Amboy, 29 Palms, and Banning.

An old coo-coo clock is hanging from a real tree, and antlers wrap around the trunk.

The tops of some of the trees, which include a guitar, loudspeaker, and Mobile gas sign.

A sign reading "Barstow City Limits Pop. 20,560 Elev. 2170" sits atop a bottle tree.

The tops of some of the trees, which include an antique phone, "Enter Only" sign, and chair.

An old gas pump, covered with stickers from visitors, an old motorcycle, and a trough filled with vintage bottles sit under the shade of a real tree.

The tops of some of the trees, which include a vintage peddle car, lantern, and sewing machine.

Two typewriters top a shorter bottle tree.

Close-up of some bottles and vintage insulators hang on one of the bottle trees.

One tree is topped with a sign reading the distances to other desert cities, such as Sidewinder Well, Stoddard Well, Dagget, and Victorville.

A vintage radio sits atop a small bottle tree in the shade of a real tree, other bottle trees in the distance.

A corral features bottles atop the entrance gate, several wagon wheels sit nearby, and an old ice box.

Several bottles and insulators sit atop a long rod.

A small black and white puppy sits under the bottle trees.

Metal rods bent to read "Make A Wish on Hwy 66" sit atop a wishing well.

On June 22, 2019, Long passed away from lung cancer, and his son, Elliot, has taken over the Ranch, keeping this delightful roadside attraction alive. While free to visit, there is a charming wishing well near the back for visitors to make a wish, and leave a donation to help Elliot maintain this unique piece of Americana.

I (sort of) visited Elmer’s Bottle Tree Ranch a few years ago, when my dad and I drove and photographed Route 66 from Needles to Victorville, however it was closed at that time. So I was very pleased to return. That post is very similar to what I have in mind for the lengthy Route 66 post, and will include some overlap, but also much has changed, with some structures that were there then, completely gone now. Stay tuned for future Route 66 highlights and the sure-to-be-lengthy border-to-coast post!

Walk among the glass forest of Elmer’s Bottle Tree Ranch at 24266 National Trails Highway, in Oro Grande, California.

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3 comments on “The Weird and Wonderful Glass Forest of Bottle Tree Ranch”

  3. For all that is going at the Glass Forest, bottles and other relics of the past to be had at every turn, there is a certain sense of serenity to this location which I find (via photos at least) to be powerfully peaceful + grounding.

    Autumn Zenith 🧡 Witchcrafted Life

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