Celebrate the Lincoln Highway 100 Year Anniversary in Austin

It’s the 100 year anniversary of the Lincoln Highway, and the state of Nevada offers a wide choice of historically rich places to visit, including the town of Austin! Highway 50, once known as the Lincoln Highway and the old Pony Express Trail, stretches across the middle of the state, connecting many friendly rural towns and communities. 
The highway is more than just a westward route. It provides travelers a healthy dose of American heritage that only the Lincoln Highway can offer. 
Come on out to Austin and celebrate the Lincoln Highway anniversary with us. Keep up to date on all Austin Nevada events at austinnevada.com.

Week 7 of Austin's 150th Anniversary

We’re now on number 21 of "150 things to do throughout the year in Austin, Nevada." If you haven’t had a chance to experience some of the things to see and do in and around Austin, plan a trip soon. Austin Nevada is rich in history—to learn more, visit austinnevada.com/austin-nevada-history.html. And of course, keep updated as the list continues to grow throughout 2012, Austin Nevada’s 150 year anniversary. Check it out at austinnevada.com/austin-nevada-anniversary.html

Austin's 150th Anniversary — We're Off and Running!

Here are the first items that begin our list of "150 things to do throughout the year in Austin." Most of the things on this list of activities can be done throughout the year. Of course there'll be a few special dates, like our annual events and winter activities. Have fun in Austin, Nevada!

1. Take Highway 722 over Carroll’s Summit to Austin. SR722 is part of the original Lincoln Highway.

2. Visit the Austin Courthouse and look for ghosts!

3. Drive up over the giant “A” just above Austin, and get a bird’s eye view of the town. Make sure to bring your camera!

4. Attend the Coyote derby this weekend. For more information call 775-224-95145.

5. Do a bar crawl and visit all 5 bars!

6. Go to Spencer Hot Springs and relax in the hot pools.

For more information, visit http://austinnevada.com/index.html

Celebrate Austin Nevada's 150 Year Anniversary

Austin is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year (1862-2012.) To celebrate this special event, we're compiling a list of 150 things to do "in and around Austin," all within a 60-mile radius. Check back often,as we'll be posting three things to see and do, each week, for the entire year. We'll also post updates on Blogger, FaceBook, and AustinNevada.com/anniversary. We'll feature driving tours, fishing spots, hunting locations, ATV trails, walking tours, local hangouts and favorites places, and anything that can be seen or done in Austin. We're looking forward to everyone helping us celebrate Austin's 150th anniversary!

The Town of Austin is Getting in the Holiday Spirit

The Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce and the citizens of Austin are eagerly planning their 16^th Annual Live Nativity. This is always a great evening for everyone to get in the spirit of Christmas. Following the Nativity, hot chocolate and cookies will be served at the Austin Fire House, to help warm everyone up and get them in the mood for the Turkey Raffle. We’re also sponsoring a canned food drive for those who need extra help during the Holidays. Bring your canned goods or non-perishable items to the Fire House before the Nativity.

The Chamber is once again sponsoring the annual lighting contest for homes and businesses in Austin and residences in Gillman Springs and Kingston. We‘ll be judging the lights somewhere between December 12 through14. This gives everyone plenty of time to light up Austin! The winners will be announced in the Battle Mountain Bugle, and plaques will be awarded.

For more Information, visit AustinNevada.com.

Halloween Destination: The Austin Cemetery

It’s the perfect day (or night) to take a walk through a historic Old West graveyard. The Austin Cemetery, located at the base of Austin Summit, just below town, is divided into five separate sections: Calvary, I.O.O.F., Masonic, Citizens, and American Indian. While not as old as the others, the American Indian Cemetery reflects the Native American culture of the area. From the first burials in 1863 to the present, visitors can walk around each of the sections and experience Austin’s ethnic and social diversity—and there are some very beautiful monuments! The four cemeteries that make up the main complex are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. For more about Austin, Nevada, visit http://www.austinnevada.com/index.html

"Prospector’s Dream" Wine Walk Creates a Buzz in Austin Nevada!

All those who attended the first annual “Prospector’s Dream Wine Walk” on September 17^th couldn't stop talking about how much fun they had. The walk began at the Austin Nevada Museum and continued along Main Street, Austin. It was a great opportunity to visit Austin Nevada businesses, business owners, and historic sites. Everyone enjoyed sampling the wines, the tri-tip dinner was excellent, and the event was an overall success. To top it off, the weather cooperated nicely and the sunset at Stokes Castle was phenomenal as usual. We look forward to seeing everyone next year! Make sure to check our newly designed website regularly for more great Austin Nevada happenings: http://austinnevada.com/

Remembering the ”Shoe Tree.”

The “Shoe Tree” on Highway 50 was a familiar landmark, a 70-foot cottonwood filled with dangling shoes, boots, and sneakers that served as a popular stopping point for travelers along Highway 50 in northern Nevada. The tree was cut down by vandals sometime around New Year’s Eve. A Shoe Tree Memorial is planned for Sunday, February 13, from 2:30 to 5:30. It’s open to the public, so please attend and say goodbye. A plaque is also being made. For more information visit

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Middlegate-Shoe-Tree-Rest-in-Peace/115693988503362?ref=ts

Here’s the story of Nevada’s Shoe Tree:

According to Rus Stevenson, who operates the nearby Middlegate Station Bar, located about 110 miles east of Reno, the tale of the Old Shoe Tree dates to the early 1990s. A young couple had been married in Colorado and was heading toward California. As they drove across Nevada, they began to argue. Finally, the husband pulled over to the side of the road, under the big cottonwood, and left his new bride there to cool off while he drove to the Middlegate Station for a beer. After tossing back a brew, he returned to the tree and found his wife still hopping mad. In response, he grabbed a pair of her shoes and tossed them into the tree, then headed back to the bar for another beer. After another half-hour or so, he returned to his wife. This time, they managed to patch-up their differences. Unfortunately, he found he couldn’t get her shoes out the tree and they drove off, leaving the footwear hanging from a branch. Over time, others saw the shoes in the tree and began tossing old pairs into its branches. And thus, the legend of the Old Shoe Tree was born.

It's that magical time of year in Austin

It’s that time again! The 15^th Annual Austin Live Nativity will be held tonight at 6:PM at the Austin Clinic parking area. Afterwards, there will be a Turkey Raffle at the Fire House with hot chocolate and cookies—everyone’s favorite! This is the kickoff for the Christmas season in Austin and it should be a white one.

There will also be a Santa's Village in Kingston from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM on December 19th. This event is hosted by the Kingston Volunteer Fire Department. Every child from ages 1 through 17 will get a present and a picture with Santa Claus. Please contact Shannon at 964-2120 with gender and ages of children you will be bringing to visit Santa. Goodies will be served!

For more information about this year's Austin Christmas festivities, contact the Austin Chamber of Commerce from 9:am-Noon, Monday through Friday at 775-964-2200.

State Route 722 offers some excellent scenery

First off, always check road conditions during the winter months in Nevada! If all looks good weather-wise, State Route 722 is a beautiful drive with great views of snow-covered peaks.

722 veers off of US Highway 50 near the roadhouse at Middlegate. It then crosses two summits: Eastgate at 5,110 feet, and Carroll Summit at 7,492 feet. It reunites with US Highway 50 just west of Austin. The highway is the old route of US Highway 50 and previously the Lincoln Highway. The US 50 designation was removed in favor of the new route that traverses the Desatoya Mountains via New Pass Summit, which is 1,100 feet lower with easier inclines on both sides.

For photos and a virtual tour of State Route 722, visit http://austinnevada.com/Highway-722-photography.html.

Holloween spirits walk the streets of Austin!

If you visit the old mining town of Austin during Halloween, you might just conjure up ghosts and memories of years past. Walking our streets, and visiting the many historic buildings, you’re sure to feel a strong presence of the Old West. And at night, you might want to experience some different spirits at one of the oldest hotel in Nevada. The International Hotel was first built in Virginia City in 1859, and parts of it were moved to Austin in 1863. It still serves meals and drinks but does not rent out rooms (there’s a motel across the street.) Halloween night at an authentic Old West Hotel in Austin Nevada—does it get any scarier?! To learn more about Austin Nevada and the International Hotel, visit http://austinnevada.com/index.html or http://austinnevada.com/international_hotel_is_the_o.dwt

A change of season, a change of color

Fall in Austin signals the end of warm days and the first snowfalls of winter. In town, the trees turn color and paint the streets in swatches of bright yellow. This is a great time of year to pack up your camera equipment and visit Austin. The surrounding mountains offer adventurers spectacular fall color, and small groves can be discovered along many canyons and sidehills. For panoramic vistas, travelers can also visit Arc Dome, Alta Toquima, and Table Mountain Wilderness Areas. Hikers can enjoy many great trails along Kingston Canyon or explore the Toiyabe Crest Trail in the Toiyabe Range. Please remember to always check the weather reports, as the weather can turn quickly this time of year. For more information on these areas, visit http://austinnevada.com/wilderness.html or stop by the visitors’ center and ask where you can view the best fall foliage.