GOLDFIELD -- A group of local historians and authors will present their knowledge of Goldfield history and tales of ghosts and hauntings at the Goldfield Community Center July 10 and 11.

One of the organizers, Virginia Ridgeway, said the presentation and book signing will "be the first time anything like this has ever been done" in Goldfield. She is hoping for a good turnout. Her hopes should be realized. The event is on the Nevada Department of Tourism's Web site, giving it added publicity.

Goldfield, population around 500, during the gold rush era boasted 35,000 residents -- as many as reside in Pahrump -- and surely enough to create a worthwhile mark in the pages of history.

Two of those making presentations during the lecture series are authors. Clair Blackburn and Janice Oberding will be available for book signing at the event.

Blackburn, a well-known local historian, first lived in Tonopah in 1957 and returned to work at the Tonopah Test Range in 1982. He never left.

Blackburn has authored two books. The first deals with Nye County and Death Valley mining camps. The second, and the one presented at this lecture is "Boomtown History II," which showcases the Tonopah and Goldfield areas. His presentation will be "The Belmont Mine Fire Disaster."

Oberding is a Reno-based author who has traveled across the country speaking about Nevada's history and ghosts. Her book signing is for "Goldfield, Its History and Hauntings."

Author of several other books on Nevada's history and hauntings, including "Haunted Nevada" and "The Haunting of Las Vegas," Oberding's newest book is a collection of Goldfield stories. Some are well known, like the story of Mildred "Joy" Fleming, who died in Goldfield in 1907. Then too, there are the ghosts that are said to haunt the Goldfield Hotel and other locations in town.

She will present "Ghost hunting in the Silver State and Beyond."

Other presenters are the Leong sisters, Sharon and Anne, and Allen Metscher.

Using specially designed digital cameras, Sharon and Anne Leong have traveled across the country photographing historical places, including Goldfield. The Leong sisters have a large body of photography and will be displaying and discussing their incredible photographs.

Sharon Leong is also an artist whose paintings have been featured at showings throughout California.

Metscher, a noted Central Nevada historian, was born in Tonopah, in 1945 and lived there for 50 years, moving to Goldfield 14 years ago. Metscher, along with his brothers, William and Philip, and his mother, Alexandria, founded the Central Nevada Historical Society in 1977, and the Central Nevada Museum in 1981.

In 1976, Metscher started his Tonopah Army Air Field aircraft accident research, archaeology and history of the base.

He is the current president of the Central Nevada Historical Society, a position he has held for the past 5 years.

Metscher's presentation will concern the Tonopah Army Airfield during World War II.

The Goldfield History and Hauntings Lecture Series will begin with book signings from 5 to 6 p.m. July 10, followed by the presentations from 6 to 9 p.m.

July 11 the lecture series will be 1-5 p.m.

Admission is free and the seating capacity is for 80 persons.

The Goldfield Chamber of Commerce will be serving cold drinks and snacks and donations for the service will be appreciated.

The event is sponsored by Ridgeway and Oberding with help from the chamber and Hidden Treasure Trading Co.

Call 775-851-2516 for more information.