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All the United States New Mexico Silver City Wall of Bottles

Wall of Bottles

Recycling meets art in this colorful barricade.

Silver City, New Mexico

Added By
Mike Walker , Joseph Kerski
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Wall of Bottles, Silver City New Mexico: Top View   Joseph Kerski / Atlas Obscura User
Wall of Bottles, Silver City New Mexico: Top View   Joseph Kerski / Atlas Obscura User
Wall of Bottles, Details   Joseph Kerski / Atlas Obscura User
Wall of Bottles Full View   Joseph Kerski / Atlas Obscura User
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About

In Silver City, New Mexico, just across from the beautiful and historic Grant County Courthouse, stands a remarkable wall. Instead of any usual material like brick or wood, this wall is constructed entirely of thousands of wine and other bottles, held together by stucco. Repurposed old bicycle wheels serve as large, round windows from the front yard to the street. Even the mailbox is built directly into the wall.

The structure encloses the yard and driveway of a private home, creating a unique spectacle that evolves over time. The owner continues to add new bottles, making this a living and dynamic work of art. At sunrise, the bottles channel light to the sidewalk below, casting a show of interesting colors.

The use of empty bottles in construction has a rich history dating back thousands of years. In ancient times, the Romans utilized clay bottles to lighten the weight of hefty structures and conserve concrete. The tradition persisted through the ages, and in 1902, miner William Peck constructed the first true glass bottle house in Tonopah, Nevada. While the original house was demolished in the 1980s, the technique still endures today, notably in Earthships like those found near Taos.

This wall of bottles in Silver City might not seem like much at first glance. However, it serves as a small tribute to this historical tradition, and demonstrates the appeal of creative and sustainable construction methods. It shows that beauty can be found anywhere, even in an old glass bottle.

Related Tags

Recycling Bottle Houses Bottle Art Outsider Art

Know Before You Go

Being on the side of a public street, it is easy to simply drive to this spot. Even better, treat yourself to a pleasant walking tour of historic Silver City, taking in the sights of the downtown area, the hill around the courthouse including this wall of bottles, and the Western New Mexico University campus.

Community Contributors

Added By

mikewalker, Joseph Kerski

Published

January 18, 2017

Updated

January 24, 2024

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Sources
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bottle_wall
Wall of Bottles
200-298 N Cooper St
Silver City, New Mexico
United States
32.770508, -108.280176
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Photo of Silver City

Silver City

New Mexico

Places 5

Nearby Places

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miles away

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Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Silver City

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