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Ottawa, Illinois: Shoe Tree

Perhaps being tossed into a tree is a shoe's idea of going to heaven. There aren't many here, yet -- immortalize your own!

Address:
US Hwy 52, Ottawa, IL
Directions:
Southern intersection of US Hwy 52 and IL Hwy 23, about eight miles north of town.
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Visitor Tips and News About Shoe Tree

Reports and tips from RoadsideAmerica.com visitors and Roadside America mobile tipsters. Some tips may not be verified. Submit your own tip.

Shoe Tree

I have driven by this shoe tree many times over the past few years and it is typically covered in hundreds of shoes. However, the last time I drove through there were hardly any shoes on the tree. I am not sure what happened, but it needs more shoes now!

[Stephanie, 05/21/2012]

Shoe tree.

Shoe Tree

Many of the older shoes have fallen to the ground and have been mowed over, but have been replaced over the years. The ice skates are no longer hanging up:( a disappointment. I accidentally overshot when I threw my shoes and helped to add to another shoe tree nearby:). Erica and Madison.

[Erica Kelley, 09/19/2011]

Shoe Tree.

Shoe Tree

A large tree in Illinois, with hundreds of shoes on it! At the intersection of Illinois 23 and U.S. 52 on the southeast corner.

[Bob Frizol, 01/06/2011]

Shoe Tree.

Shoe Tree

My son wanted to know if the grass wasn't mowed because the owner didn't want to hurt the shoes that didn't make it :)

[Jen, 06/16/2010]

Skates in tree.

Shoe Tree

There is a "shoe tree" at the southern intersection of US-52 & Illinois Route 23 near Ottawa, IL. It is in a cluster of a few trees across 23 from a farm house and barn. It's not as big as many of the other shoe trees featured on RoadsideAmerica.com (yet), but it is an odd sight in the middle of the farm land. It has about 30 or so pairs of shoes and boots on it so far, and even a pair of ice skates. It's the first shoe tree we've ever seen, and we were happy to do our part in adding two more pairs of boots to it.

[Ariana & Peter, 04/23/2009]

Nearby Offbeat Places

Charles Lindbergh Crash Site #1Charles Lindbergh Crash Site #1, Wedron, IL - 5 mi.
Lincoln vs. Douglas FountainLincoln vs. Douglas Fountain, Ottawa, IL - 8 mi.
Statue of the Radium GirlStatue of the Radium Girl, Ottawa, IL - 8 mi.
In the region:
City of Windmills, Batavia, IL - 38 mi.

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