Photo: Stephen Jaquiery
Ophir was originally known as Blacks when gold was discovered in 1861 and its population grew to over 1000.
When the Otago Central Railway was constructed in 1906, it was routed through Omakau and bypassed Ophir.
This had a positive effect for Omakau, which thrived, but a negative effect on Ophir which had a considerable loss in population.
Today, with a current population of about 50, the town is known for the many original buildings still surviving, including the restored 1886 post and telegraph office, the 1895 courthouse and the 1870s police station.
