Ophir Utah - Northern Towns

Map of Ophir

USGS 7.5 Minute Series Map "Ophir, Utah 1993"

Brief History

"This was the typical mining town - saloons, gambling and dance halls, red-light houses, hotels [The Pioneer, built 1870], cafes, stores, and living quarters" (Carr, 20).

Named after the King Solomon's (of the Bible) mines Ophir got its start from army men looking for mineral wealth. General Patrick Connor and his troops made some of the first claims in the area which would become Ophir in 1865. The Ophir mining district was organized in 1870 and by 1871 more than 2,500 mining claims had been staked with the town population reaching 1,200 (Thompson, 17).

The population of Ophir peaked at 6,000 people. To accommodate this population a drug store, post office, two schools a theater, and a town hall/fire station could be found to serve the growing community. One could also find a Community Methodist Church which opened in 1871 with a membership of 109 persons (Carter, 171). One could even say the town had diversity for Ophir had a Chinese laundry and even an astrologer (AP, C3)!

In 1871, the Pioneer Mill was erected which could process 30 tons of ore per day (Carter, 170). Two other mills were also constructed: the Brevoort and Enterprise. Two smelters were also constructed: The Ophir and the Faucett. The chief minerals were lead, silver, zinc and very small amounts of gold.

Ophir's mines were the Kearsage, Mountain Lion, Petalume, Silver Chief, Tampico, Blue Wing, Velocipede, the Shamrock, Miner's Delight, Wild Delirium, the Montana, and the Silveropities to name several.

By 1880 Ophir's boom period was over. But this did not mean that Ophir became an instant ghost town. Ophir, in 1918, still maintained a post office, a weekly newspaper, a daily stage line and a general store with a population of 560 (Carr, 21). In 1930 a mill was constructed to rework old mine tailings. In 1949 one could still find a post office, drugstore and a pool hall (21).

Census figures state that 76 people called Ophir home in 1970 and 25 in 1990. Ophir is a great place to visit. There are some fantastic photo opportunies, particularily the town hall/fire station. There is a cemetery (which I have never been to) but is said to be in a most deplorable condition.

Sources:

"Residents reflect on Ophir's historical boomtown." The Daily Herald Wednesday, August 20, 1997 Page C3. Provo, Utah Associated Press (AP)

Carr, Stephen L. The Historical Guide to Utah Ghost Towns

Carter, Kate B. Our Pioneer Heritage Vol 14. Daughters of Utah Pioneers, 1971 Salt Lake City, Utah

Thompson, George A. Some Dreams Die: Utah's Ghost Towns and Lost Treasures

Pictures

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Utah Ghost Towns and Mining Camps

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