Ophir

The name Ophir is said to be after the biblical Ophir where the Queen of Sheba obtained her gold for King Solomon. A number of original buildings survive in this historic town, just off State Highway 85, where gold was discovered in 1863. Designed by the Public Works Department the Post & Telegraph Office was built in 1868, and the courthouse followed. Built in expectation of further growth these buildings lost their potential importance when the Central Otago railway line by-passed Ophir on the other side of the Manuherikia River. However the postal service still operates and you can have your letters hand franked with the VR postmark, and the area is known as the Historic Precinct, as the jailhouse, policeman's house are also here. There is also an 1880 suspension bridge over the Manuherikia River anchored in solid schist rock. In deference to the wishes of local Irish Catholic miners it is named after Daniel O'Connell, an early nineteenth century political leader.

Historic Accommodation in Ophir includes St Andrew's Church Vestry, Pitches Store, the Bakery Cottages and Black's Hotel.

In Colorado, the town's namesake, Ophir, also has a mining history, cold dry climate, and a similar population level of less than 100 permanent residents.

Image Credit: Derek Smith and Maclean Barker Photographers and Ophir**, circa 1911, New Zealand, by Muir & Moodie studio.Te Papa