Bottle Village exhibit on display at rail depot

Courtesy Kathy LaForce KEEPING HISTORY—Tom Bergh, director of the Santa Susana Railroad Depot and Museum, Joanne Johnson, Bottle Village historian, and Kathy LaForce, a volunteer for Preserve Bottle Village, have come together to create a new exhibit at the museum. A chance turn onto Cochran Street in 1978 led Joanne Johnson on a 30-year quest to save a local landmark.

Johnson was driving from her home in Thousand Oaks to Pic 'N' Save in Simi Valley. She was looking for Tapo Street when she discovered a folk art village made of colored bottles.

"It was bright, colorful and sparkling in the sunlight. There weren't many houses on Cochran Street, so it really stood out," said Johnson, who moved to Simi Valley soon after. "I pulled up and walked toward a trailer on the property. Grandma came out and invited me for a tour."

Tressa "Grandma" Prisbrey started Bottle Village in 1956 at the age of 60. She charged 25 cents for a tour when anyone happened to drop by. Word quickly spread about the unusual buildings made of discarded bottles embedded in cement.

"It became a tourist attraction. People came from the San Fernando Valley to see Bottle Village," said Johnson, now the site's official historian. "People from out of state visiting their relatives dropped by and then went home and wrote letters to Grandma."

On display now until January at the Santa Susana Railroad Depot is an exhibit dedicated to Bottle Village. The exhibit features photographs of the bottle walls and some of the 2,000 pencils in Prisbrey's collection.

"We want the exhibit to stir awareness about the plight of Bottle Village," said Tom Bergh, museum director. "Some people look at it and say it's a pile of junk. Other people look at it and say, 'Wow, this is folk art.'"

Professional photographer Kathy LaForce took the photos for the exhibit. She was so impressed with Prisbrey's creation, she volunteered to help preserve it.

"I realize this place is special," said LaForce, a Simi Valley resident. "The colors and creativity inspired my own work. I wanted to get involved."

Prisbrey was in her 80s when Johnson's chance turn onto Cochran Street resulted in their meeting. The two women enjoyed a close friendship until Prisbrey's death in 1988 at the age of 92.

"She was just so full of life. She absolutely loved people," Johnson said. "I really enjoyed her company so much."

Johnson said her devotion to Prisbrey has inspired her tireless efforts to restore Bottle Village. She founded Preserve Bottle Village, a nonprofit organization, to collect donations for the restoration.

Unfortunately, Johnson said, public and private funding has not materialized to do the job so far.

The village is not officially open to the public due to the damage caused by the 1994 Northridge earthquake. Johnson gives casual tours by appointment only.

A Bottle Village open house will be held on Sun., Nov. 23 from 1 to 5 p.m. at 4595 Cochran St. The event includes music and sidewalk artistry. The suggested donation is $20. To RSVP, call (805) 522-7561.

Santa Susana Railroad Depot and Museum is at 6503 Katherine Road.

The museum is open weekends 1 to 4 p.m. and by appointment.

For more information, call (805) 581-3462 or visit www.santasusanadepot.org