This historic area was registered under the Historic Places Act 1993. This report includes text from the original Recommendation for Registration considered by the NZHPT Board at the time of registration. GENERAL DESCRIPTION: Gold was discovered at Ophir in 1863, on land grazed by Charles F. Black - hence the town's early name, Black diggings, later shortened to Blacks. In 1875, the growing town was officially declared as such and given the name Ophir, said to be after the biblical Ophir where the Queen of Sheba obtained her gold for King Solomon. In the early years of the town when the population was around 1,000, Ophir is said to have competed with Clyde for the headquarters of the Vincent County Council, but lost out to the latter. Buildings such as the 1886 Post Office, the courthouse and former general store reflect the optimism that Ophir would continue to flourish long after the gold ran out, the small township did not experience this growth as a direct result of the Central Otago railway line by-passing Ophir on the other side of the Manuherikia River. After the turn of the century, new development was concentrated closer to the railhead, 2krn away at Omakau. Ophir's remaining buildings, many of which have been more recently restored, provide a vital link between the early history of the town and the present day.
Location
List Entry Information
Overview
Detailed List Entry
Status
Listed
List Entry Status
Historic Area
Access
Private/No Public Access
List Number
7268
Date Entered
10th October 1995
Date of Effect
10th October 1995
City/District Council
Central Otago District
Region
Otago Region
Extent of List Entry
The area comprises the Town of Ophir and surrounding land, contained in secs 117, 118 & 119, Blk 2, Tiger Hill Survey District.
Legal description
Secs 117, 118 & 119, Blk 2, Tiger Hill Survey District