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.