Placer County CA Archives History - Books .....Ophir 1861
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com June 23, 2005, 6:19 pm

Book Title: Directory Of The County Of Placer


OPHIR.

  In the fall of 1850, a log cabin comprised the prospective town of Ophir.
situated two and a-half miles below Auburn, on the Auburn Ravine, which during
the succeeding winter grew into the fair proportions of three or four frame
buildings, several log houses (?) and an indefinite number of tents and canvas
coverings. The summer of 1851 nearly skeletonized the little village, but the
fall and winter rains resurrected, or recreated it, and the year 1852 saw it the
largest and most prosperous town in Placer county. The mining was all of placer
character, and very rich; and money was had almost for the picking it up. The
town nourished. At the Presidential election of that year 500 votes were cast in
the precinct.

  On the 12th of July, 1852, the whole town was consumed by fire. Although great
efforts were made, Ophir never recovered from the shock. The surface diggings
were deemed nearly worked out, and it was thought she had no other resources.
Other points below her on the Auburn Ravine came into notice, and drew away her
population and means. She presents now to the eye but the shadow of her former
appearance.

   A not very distant future may, and not very unlikely will, reinstate Ophir in
her former glory. The quartz in the district is rich, and its value is being
rapidly developed. Quartz mills are springing up all round the place, and quartz
mining promises soon to be the principal business of that section.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from 

DIRECTORY OF THE COUNTY OF PLACER, FOR THE YEAR 1861
CONTAINING A HISTORY OF THE COUNTY, AND OF THE DIFFERENT TOWNS IN THE
COUNTY; WITH THE NAMES OF INHABITANTS, AND  EYERY THING APPERTAINING TO A
COMPLETE DIRECTORY.
COMPILED BY R. J. STEELE, JAMES P. BULL, AND F. I. HOUSTON.

PRINTED FOR THE PUBLISHERS,
BY CHARLES F. ROBBINS, 413 TO 417 CLAY STREET, SAN FRANCISCO, 1861.


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