The Single Bar and Grill Keeping Hungry Travelers Fed in the Middle of Nevada’s Loneliest Highway

Middlegate Station, Nevada

Highway 50 earned the title “America’s Loneliest Road” for good reason. Between the endless stretches of sage brush and mountains, there’s not much to see.

Except for Middlegate Station.

This tiny roadhouse has become legendary among travelers for its massive burgers and quirky charm.

Here’s why this remote Nevada stop deserves a place on every road trip bucket list.

A Station For Changing Pony Express Horses

The government hired James Simpson to find routes through Nevada in 1850. His paths would connect the east with western territories.

Overland Stage & Freight Company built Middlegate Station in 1859. The outpost linked travelers with gold and silver mines in Tonopah and Ely.

Pony Express riders began swapping tired horses for fresh ones here on April 3, 1860. This system kept mail moving at top speed across the frontier.

The famous mail service lasted only 18 months, ending in October 1861. It had cut delivery times from weeks to just ten days.

When The Telegraph Made The Pony Express Obsolete

The Pacific Telegraph line made the Pony Express unnecessary in October 1861. Messages now zipped across wires in minutes instead of days on horseback.

Middlegate kept working as a stage and freight station after the Pony Express ended. It sent workers and supplies to mines near Tonopah and eastward to Ely.

The station remained busy until early 1900s when mines closed. As ore ran out and mining towns emptied, stagecoaches had fewer places to go.

From Stage Coaches To The Lincoln Highway

Cars replaced horses in the early 1900s, changing travel forever. The new machines traveled faster and needed fewer stops.

The Lincoln Highway, America’s first coast-to-coast road, passed Middlegate starting in 1913. It connected New York City with San Francisco.

As mining faded and transportation changed, Middlegate Station sat empty. Without travelers, the waypoint lost its purpose.

Nobody used the building until the 1940s. During these years, locals took many of its stone blocks for their own buildings.

Ida Ferguson Brings New Life To Middlegate

Ida Ferguson bought the run-down station at a BLM auction in 1942. She saw possibility where others saw only ruins.

The building needed major work since ranchers and miners had taken many original stones. Ferguson spent ten years fixing it up.

In 1952, she opened a bar, café, and gas station at the site. Her business gave travelers a welcome break on the remote highway.

Drivers stopped to rest, eat, and refuel at this desert outpost. Ferguson had turned the abandoned ruin into a thriving business.

Declining Business After Highway Reroute

Highway 50 changed course in 1962, bypassing Middlegate Station. Almost overnight, the stream of customers dried up.

With fewer travelers passing by, Ferguson watched her profits shrink. Food, fuel, and room rentals all dropped as traffic disappeared.

The financial strain forced Ferguson to sell and retire. Running a business in such a remote spot became too difficult.

Later owners struggled without electricity or phone service. The off-grid location made modern improvements nearly impossible.

A Succession Of Owners Through The Years

Carol and George Harper bought the property in January 1969. They ran the roadside business despite its isolation. Arlene and Vance Middaugh took ownership in May 1971.

They maintained essential services for desert travelers. Lynn Miller purchased the business in August 1977. The station continued as a vital stopover on the lonely highway.

Wanda Hill acquired Middlegate in 1980 and expanded the building. She added rooms for her parents who helped manage daily operations.

Russ And Fredda Stevenson’s Major Restoration

Russ and Fredda Stevenson purchased Middlegate in June 1985. They wanted to save this piece of American West history.

The couple used wood from old mining sites for repairs. This kept the station looking authentic while honoring local mining heritage.

Today, a single generator powers everything in Middlegate. Fuel costs have created money problems despite applying for 27 different grants.

Beyond running a business, the Stevensons help stranded travelers. People stuck in the desert often find temporary shelter here.

The Legendary Monster Burger Challenge

Middlegate Station created a massive burger challenge that draws brave eaters. The 1⅓ pound triple-decker sits on a sourdough bun topped with vegetables, cheese, and more.

With fries, the meal weighs four pounds total. Few people manage to finish everything.

Rules forbid bathroom breaks during the attempt. This makes an already tough challenge even harder.

The Monster Burger costs $18.95 whether you finish it or not. Winners earn a free t-shirt to prove their eating prowess.

Dollar Bills That Cover The Ceiling

Money covers Middlegate Station’s ceiling because no banks exist nearby. This clever system solved a practical problem.

Customers write their names on dollar bills and pin them overhead. This ensures they have money waiting on their next visit.

Miners started this tradition before heading into the wilderness. Having visible cash meant nobody could say they were broke.

The walls display military patches from Naval Air Station Fallon personnel. Pilots training nearby have added to this collection for years.

The Iconic Shoe Tree Nearby

A special cottonwood stood 2.4 miles east of Middlegate on Highway 50. Thousands of shoes hung from its branches, creating an odd roadside sight.

Someone cut down the 70-foot “Shoe Tree” on December 30-31, 2010. Locals and regular visitors were furious about losing their landmark.

Hundreds gathered for a memorial service afterward. People drove across Nevada just to say goodbye to the tree.

Parts of the trunk now serve as tabletops in Middlegate Station. Meanwhile, a “sister tree” nearby has become the new place for tossing shoes.

Visiting Middlegate Station

Middlegate Station stands at 42500 Austin Highway (US-50), Fallon, Nevada 89406. Drive 47 miles east of Fallon on Highway 50 to reach this remote outpost.

The station remains open seven days a week from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Closing times may vary based on customer traffic.

Motel rooms cost $30 per night with no reservations required. RV spaces and free tent camping accommodate overnight travelers.

No cell service exists in this area. Fill your gas tank here as no other fuel stations appear for 50 miles in either direction.

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