Ophir derives its name from the mythical land from which all gold comes. And although no gold was found beneath the surface in Ophir, Much silver did come here. As you have read in the first story.
In 1861 the Ophir Mine built a mill on the lake and the mill was a beaut! It coast a half a million dollars and had 72 stamps. An entire complex was built here covering over an acre and employing 165 men. The superintendent made $30,000 a year and was furnished a brand new house.
Artist sketch of the Ophir Mill on the shores of Washoe Lake.
In 1861 the Ophir Mine built a mill on the lake and the mill was a beaut! It coast a half a million dollars and had 72 stamps. An entire complex was built here covering over an acre and employing 165 men. The superintendent made $30,000 a year and was furnished a brand new house.
Artist sketch of the Ophir Mill on the shores of Washoe Lake.
The mill was the thing, but a town did grow up around this mill. By 1863 nearly 300 people called Ophir home. It was a rough and tumble town between accidents in the mill, people falling under wagons, and teamsters taking swings at each other. The local doctor was kept busy.
Blacksmith shops and wagon shops surfaced to repair the wagons coming down the long and grueling trip from the Comstock. A post office opened in 1861 and a Wells Fargo Express Station was also located here Other businesses included saloons, lawyers, and general merchandise stores.
By 1865 Comstock milling was moved to the Carson River and its more abundant water source. In 1871 there were only 41 registered voters left in Ophir.
Hackett and Kendall (see cover) was one of those general merchandise stores. The only reference I could find to the store was in an 1869 newspaper article.
That would mean the Hackett and Kendall stuck it out in Ophir until Reno was platted and Ophir and Washoe City (next door neighbor and county seat) became obsolete.
Blacksmith shops and wagon shops surfaced to repair the wagons coming down the long and grueling trip from the Comstock. A post office opened in 1861 and a Wells Fargo Express Station was also located here Other businesses included saloons, lawyers, and general merchandise stores.
By 1865 Comstock milling was moved to the Carson River and its more abundant water source. In 1871 there were only 41 registered voters left in Ophir.
Hackett and Kendall (see cover) was one of those general merchandise stores. The only reference I could find to the store was in an 1869 newspaper article.
That would mean the Hackett and Kendall stuck it out in Ophir until Reno was platted and Ophir and Washoe City (next door neighbor and county seat) became obsolete.
Post Office Dates: 1863 - 1866 (Wells Fargo express office dates)
This clearly says Nevada Territory, so it must be an 1864 cover or earlier since Nevada became a state on October 31, 1864. The Gamett and Paher Nevada post office book gives known dates of Wells Fargo Express in Ophir as 1863 - 1866.
This clearly says Nevada Territory, so it must be an 1864 cover or earlier since Nevada became a state on October 31, 1864. The Gamett and Paher Nevada post office book gives known dates of Wells Fargo Express in Ophir as 1863 - 1866.