Chasing Down An Urban Legend: The Minden Shoe Tree

I have just spent a glorious week in cottage country.  Well, it was almost a glorious week.  The one bump in the road; Mother Nature did not feel the need to bless us with sunshine and balmy days but instead saw fit to throw some rain and fall like temperatures for almost half the week.  What does one do in cottage country when the weather is less than ideal and your stuck inside a lake house with two teens and a toddler?  You chase down an urban legend of course! 

Consultation with TripAdvisor led us to believe that somewhere in the general area was a “Shoe Tree”.  A large tree that was started by locals and added to by tourists on their summer journeys through this beautiful part of the country.  The urban legend tells us this tree holds hundreds, perhaps thousands of pairs of shoes, hung, nailed and placed with care through it’s massive branches.  This was something I had to see for myself. 

On a rainy afternoon we left our cottage and headed into town in search of the elusive Minden Shoe Tree.  Conversations with the Minden locals at the bowling alley, the grocery store and even the gas station turned up dead ends.  The local folk had never heard of any “Shoe Tree”, some people we questioned looked at me like I might be the craziest tourist they had ever seen, but finally, a hit.  One local did know of a Shoe Tree, but it was in Kinmount and had been cut down for safety reasons.  Disappointment!

Unwilling to give up, we followed one last desperate lead.  Following South Lake Road “out of town”, searching for the elusive “Shoe Tree”.  We were rewarded with sweet, sweet victory.  We found the Minden Shoe Tree!   

It does exist, and it is more than a little cool!

Shoes up that tree and in it’s branches.  Too many shoes to count.  What is the story of this wacky tree?  It has been said that the Minden Shoe Tree was started by locals seeking good luck.  It’s rumoured that if you hang a pair of shoes on one of the local Shoe Tree’s it would bring you good luck.  Who couldn’t use a little good luck?  I could!  My family decided we just had to add to this unique local attraction. 

I was a little bit proud of our rain soaked crew for tracking down this urban legend.  We all took turns tacking up our shoes and snapping a few pictures.  Here’s hoping our good luck soon follows!

If you go:  Be sure to take your lucky shoes, some nails and hammer, and of course your camera.

Where to find it:  Yes!  I am going to reveal the location of the Minden Shoe Tree!  This particular tree is located about a 9 minute drive outside of Minden on South Lake Road.  The closest street address is 2354 South Lake Road, Minden. 

Happy Hunting!