07/17/2019
It's with a heavy heart that we need to share the news that Elmer Long, the creator of the world-famous Bottle Tree Ranch in Oro Grande, passed away on June 22 at the age of 72 after a short battle with extremely aggressive lung cancer. He was buried at Victorville Memorial Mortuary.
Elmer and his art were an inspiration to us all. Most importantly, those of us who met him know how warm, friendly, and kind-hearted he was.
His son Ellsworth Hayes shared with us: "He was a bad-ass Marine, husband, father of 3 boys, and of course, the 'bottle tree man' ... He was my best friend. And it brings tears to my eyes knowing there are people out there like yourself dedicated to the love of his bottle trees."
Using materials that would normally be discarded, with desert land as his canvas, he created a destination that attracted visitors from all over the world and garnered international media attention--amazing!
Please do share your memories and condolences in the comments so we can all remember him, and for his family to see...
(Thank you, Ellsworth Hayes, for sharing with us, and thanks to Eric Lowenbach for this old photo and Kelly Dilger for your help!)
Rest in peace, Elmer!
- Kelly Donovan & the Fans of the Bottle Tree Ranch
