Presentation maps ghost towns, mining camps

Join author Stanley Paher at the Nevada State Museum from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. July 23 for a slide presentation and discussion on mapping Nevada's ghost towns and mining camps.

Paher's books are the culmination of his passion for exploring the Nevada-Death Valley backcountry and ghost towns.

A native Nevadan, Paher started his original ghost town and mining camp volume on Nevada in 1965. It took him five years to produce what has been called by book reviewers "by far the best researched volume yet on Nevada."

Paher, author of 19 historical books, will be available to sign his 2009 edition of "Nevada Ghost Towns and Desert Atlas."

The atlas features 71 revised, full-color maps with aerial relief and updated mileage figures in this seventh edition book. Paher's atlas is designed as a companion book to his award-winning "Nevada Ghost Towns and Mining Camps" and is now in its 14th printing.

"Both are ideal for people who love touring, hiking and exploring Nevada's backcountry," said David Toll, author of "The Complete Nevada Traveler."

The atlas features more than 2,200 locations on updated color maps, including ghost towns and stage stations, pioneer cemeteries, gold and silver mining camps, placer gold mining districts, gemstone hunting sites, emigrant trail routes, and the Pony Express trail. Natural features listed include caves, hot springs, historic locations, recreational areas, campgrounds and state parks.

A special bonus within the atlas is a collection of 530 vintage photographs, many of which are the work of mid-20th century ghost town chronicler Nell Murbarger. Her photographs include blacksmith bellows, wooden barrels with steel rims, ore wagons, mail pouches and head frames at mine shafts.

Paher's lecture is part of the museum's Frances Humphrey lecture series which is now the fourth Thursday of the month. Regular admission fees apply. For more information, contact Deborah Stevenson, curator of education, at 687-4810, Ext. 237 or dstevenson@nevadaculture.org.