Elliott Long, the son of the late cement worker Elmer Long, says the Bottle Tree Ranch has become a landmark as Route 66 turns 100 in 2026.
The two‑acre site, located on the Mojave Desert's edge of I‑40, displays 200 sculptural trees assembled from more than 1,000 discarded glass bottles, metal fragments, and other junk.
Elmer Long, who died June 22, 2019 at age 72, originally fashioned the first tree in 1999 after retiring from the cement industry.
The ranch’s centennial buzz has drawn travelers from around the world, with Elliott noting that the family has kept the gates open and lights on during the anniversary year.
To preserve the artwork, the family has updated the ranch website, added a small gift shop, and plans to launch an online shop to support maintenance.
The next step is a scheduled maintenance drive in late May, followed by a photo exhibit in June to celebrate Route 66’s 100‑year milestone.