PHILLIP GOMEZ / PVT Last year's history conference was deemed a rip-roaring success by all in attendance. Advertisement

AMARGOSA VALLEY -- Organizers of the annual Boomtown history conference are planning a second year of Nevada history re-enacted in word and costumed deed, with side trips to local historic sites.

The venue for the February 2007 event is the same as it was last year -- Longstreet's Inn and Casino in Amargosa Valley -- and the time period under examination is roughly the same, too: 1900 to 1915.

But the geographical focus and its presentation have narrowed to Central Nevada's mining region, specifically from Beatty north to Highway 50. The latter has been dubbed on state highway maps "the Loneliest Road" and is the route of the short-lived but legendary Pony Express mail service for nine months of 1861.

Topics so far listed for presentation at the conference include: Goldfield's boom; the Gans-Nelson fight of 1906; early aviation in Central Nevada; Big Bill Murphy; scams in the mining industry; and Baba the mail-order bride.

Presenters in the past have been a varied lot: some professional historians from academia; some grandmotherly types with an interest in tracing their family's roots; and some old "Breyfoglers" who crawled out from under mineral-bearing rock ledges, dusted themselves off for the event and held forth.

Professionals and amateurs interested in sharing their knowledge of the later era of the Wild West, when the modern, more domesticated world was intruding, are encouraged to submit their ideas to aphouser@aol.com.

Longstreet's is again offering a special discount for early hotel room reservations for conference participants. An RV park is also available.

According to organizer Pat Houser, "The event is so popular that the hotel is almost sold out already." Last year, people from all over the country flew to Las Vegas and drove to Amargosa Valley to attend the conference.

Early reservations are recommended. Registration for the event itself is $100 per person, which includes two historically themed dinners, with period dress optional, and two ample lunches. Snacks and program brochures are also included.

Also included in the two-day conference are field trips to area attractions before and after the conference presentations.

Plans are already in the works for the 2008 history conference, tentatively planned for Northern Nevada.

More information can be obtained by calling Arden or Pat Houser in Pahrump at (775) 751-2250.