The Glass House BC
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Places Filter: Oddities
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Description: This unconventional roadside attraction was constructed using over 500,000 discarded bottles that previously held embalming fluid. In 1952, after a 35-year career in the funeral industry, David H. Brown retired. At that point, Mr. Brown had a notion: there had to be a practical purpose for these bottles. This unique endeavor, as Mr. Brown put it, originated from a rather peculiar impulse. Mr. Brown embarked on a journey across western Canada, collecting bottles from colleagues in the funeral trade. Eventually, he amassed a staggering 500,000 square-shaped bottles, amounting to 250 tons in weight. The dwelling itself is perched atop a sturdy rock foundation. Designed in a cloverleaf layout, it comprises three main circular rooms, stretching 48 feet in length and 24 feet in width. With the addition of an upper room, it offers a total floor space of 1,200 square feet. Upon entering the grounds, visitors are greeted by a babbling mountain stream cascading over a water wheel adorned with moss. This whimsical feature breathes life into the miniature inhabitants surrounding the wishing well. More than 320 dozen flowers line the pathways, enticing explorers to journey from the terrace over a glass-bottle bridge. A meandering trail beneath the bridge leads to the rugged lakeshore and a vantage point known as the lighthouse, offering a spectacular vista of the scenic Kootenay Lake. Guided tours of the estate are available seven days a week from May to October. Additionally, a gift shop is conveniently located on the premises. Situated just 40 km (25 mi) south of Crawford Bay on the shores of Kootenay Lake, this unique attraction awaits your discovery.