Vandals cut down famous shoe tree

FALLON, Nev. – A landmark tree filled with dangling shoes, boots and sneakers that served as a popular stopping point for travelers in northern Nevada was chopped down by vandals, leaving merchants concerned that business would suffer in the isolated area.

The 70-foot cottonwood tree along U.S. 50 in Middlegate was cut down late last week, the Lahontan Valley News reported Tuesday.

“There are a lot of angry people,” bartender Travis Anderton told the newspaper.

Anderton learned of the vandalism from customers who stopped at Old Middlegate Station, a combination bar-restaurant-gas station about 50 miles east of Fallon.

The tree along what has been called the loneliest road in America has been an attraction for decades. Sneakers, cowboy boots, high heels, flip-flops, sandals, clogs – even fishing waders and roller skates – hung in tangled clumps from its branches.