Front of house
Harry Bailey House also known as the “Bottle House” was built in 1939 by Harry Bailey an African-American with assistance from Louis Hale. Mr. Bailey was an orderly for 20 years at the VA Hospital and also served as an airplane mechanic. He operated a beer tavern on the property known as the “Jungle.” Mr. Bailey collected beer bottles and various other bottles.
Bottles embedded in wall
He placed over 300 bottles in the exterior perimeter walls of the house. The walls are randomly embedded with mortar, brick, stone and pieces of ceramic tile. The pink tile appears mostly on the top of the window edges. The highlight of the Harry Bailey House is the perimeter walls. These walls contain approximately 350 glass bottles from the late 1930, 1940 and 1950 era. They are in many colors, shapes, sizes and are embedded in the exterior walls.
Bottles with top
They lay in all different directions. Two false wooden windows exist on the North and East side of the house. These windows were placed in the exterior of the home but are not visible in the interior of the home. There are many other oddities to the Harry Bailey House. The Harry Bailey House is thought to be the only structure of its kind. Collectors, recycler’s, antique lovers and artist are especially interested in the structure. The Harry Bailey House was entered on The National Register of
Bottles on east wall
Historic Places by the United States Department of the Interior on March 15, 2000. The house qualifies as a structure of historic value that should not be disturbed. A grant will be applied for through the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 mainly to protect the exterior of the home.
Bottles in north wall
E-Mail Address: Craig@HarryBaileyHouse.com
Web Address: HarryBaileyHouse.com
Mail Address: Harry Bailey House
P.O. Box 1335
Lebanon, TN 37088
Fax: (615) 453-0826
Visits: Please call (615) 618-6099 or E-mail us.
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