On Saturday at 10 a.m., a local ghost town will shake off its cobwebs and open its gates for a bash to be held in its honor.

The remains of Clarksville will be open to the public for a celebration of the town’s history. The family friendly event will feature Pony Express Remount demonstrations, a Civil War era encampment, the Mormon Battalion re-enactment group, gold panning, music and more.

Clarksville was founded during the Gold Rush with the construction of Mormon Tavern, according to the Clarksville Historical Society.

The town eventually grew around the tavern and served as a supply station for those traveling into the hills to mine for gold, according to Betty January, president of the historical society.

“It was founded probably around 1847,” she said. “This town emerged as a gateway to the gold fields. It’s had many ups and downs (during its history).”

Present-day El Dorado Hills is built on the foundation of Clarksville, according to January.

“Around 1960, it was pretty well done in,” she said. “(That’s when a developer) came in, bought all the land and changed the name to El Dorado Hills.”

Some of the dozen structures still standing date back to the 1860s. One of those is a modest house that has seen better days.

“One famous (building here) is the Kyburz house,” she said. “Samuel Kyburz moved in here in the late 1860s. His house is still barely standing.”

Kyburz once worked for John Sutter, the man credited with starting the California Gold Rush. When the Kyburz home in Sacramento was flooded in the 1860s, he packed up and moved to higher ground in Clarksville. His home will be visible from the roadway during the May 9 event. Due to structural instability, those attending will be kept out of most of the buildings, according to January.

One building that will be open to the public is the old one-room schoolhouse that once educated the town’s children.

“United School, part of the Buckeye School District, closed its doors probably in the 1950s,” she said.

The schoolhouse found a new lease on life as a barn. It was moved up the road from its original site and modified for its new role.

“They added these sides to it,” January said.

It is visible from Highway 50 as motorists drive east just before the Bass Lake Grade.

“If they look to the right, they will see the red barn,” she said. “That is the old schoolhouse.”

In the past, the historical society held the celebration at the El Dorado Hills Library. This year is the first time they’ve been allowed access to the original town site to host the celebration.

“This year, we get to have it right on site, so people will get to come in (and) see some of the buildings that are falling down,” she said.

The town is also home to a significant stretch of a historic highway.

“This roadway here is probably the longest stretch of the Lincoln Highway in California,” she said. “It goes right through Clarksville.”

Pat Thomsen, historical society secretary, said the event is important.

“We hold it to celebrate our history,” she said. “It gives residents a chance to see what we had before and how they lived. It just amazes me when you go and see these houses that they just had two boards between them and the elements.”

She said paths are being created to give attendees a chance to explore the ghost town.

“We have other volunteers who will put up signs to make sure people stay on the path and respect the remains of the town,” she said.

Special guests slated to attend include some pioneers families who once called Clarksville home.

“People will be able to meet the pioneers,” she said. “One person is over 100 years old and actually lived in Clarksville. This will give people a chance to see how people lived in this area for so many years and hear firsthand how they did it.”

To get to Clarksville, take White Rock Road or Silva Valley Parkway heading toward Highway 50. The turnoff for 1500 White Rock Road is just south of the Highway 50 underpass.

Admission to the event is free.

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Clarksville Day

10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Saturday, May 9

Location: 1500 White Rock Road, El Dorado Hills

Information: www.edhhistory.org

Free admission

Clarksville Day schedule

Exhibitors 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

California Automobile Museum, Clarksville Region Historical Society, El Dorado County Historical Society, El Dorado County Museum, El Dorado Roses, Lincoln Highway Association, El Dorado Hills Bowmen, El Dorado Hills Telegraph, Village Life, Pony Express Association, Pioneer Cemeteries Commission, Placerville Model A Club, Placerville Mountain Democrat, Mormon History, Rescue Fire Dept. Antique Fire Engine, Rescue Historical Society and a local authors table.

Outdoor activities 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Antique Auto Rides, music by Alan with Cowboy Hayes, Children’s Gold Panning with Russ, Percheron Wagon Rides

11 a.m. to 3 p.m

Clarksville Cemetery Tour, Pony Express Remount Re-Enactments, Mormon Battalion Period Encampment

Noon

Clarksville Pioneer Families and Descendants Picnic