Ophir Silver Mining Company Records

The first discovery of precious minerals in the Comstock Mining District, Virginia City, Nevada, was made on what was to become the Ophir Silver Mining claim. Peter O'Riley and Patrick McLaughlin located gold at the Ophir claim in June 1859, and in August of that same year discovered the rich silver vein which was to spark the "Washoe Rush." The Ophir was a 675 foot long claim which yielded about $20 million before it was exhausted.

The Ophir claimed other "firsts" besides that of the first claim of the Comstock Lode. The mining methods of the day were not suitable for mining such a wide body of soft ore. That inspired the Ophir's engineer, Philip Deidsheimer, to develop the square set method of timbering which would support the extensive system of deep-level tunnels characteristic of the Comstock Lode. When the company discovered a large flow of water at the 50 foot level while digging the first mine shaft, a fifteen-horsepower steam engine was brought from San Francisco, the first steam engine to arrive on the Comstock Lode. In 1860, the Ophir, along with the Mexican, Central, and California mining companies, was among the first to excavate a drainage tunnel, known as the Union Tunnel, to disperse the large quantities of underground water which impeded mining operations. Also in that year, the Ophir was the first mining company to raise ore from the mine with steam power.

By 1923, the Ophir had proved to be the seventh best paying company in terms of stock holder dividends, but like other Comstock Lode companies had exhausted its mineral resources. The Ophir, part of the "North End Mines," merged with other North End mines under the superintendency of Zeb Kendall. Very small productions (under 800 tons per year) were made after that.