Near Loma in Chouteau County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)
Ophir
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 23, 2020
1. Ophir Marker
Inscription.
Ophir. . As envisioned, the City of Ophir was to rival Fort Benton. It was to have ferries across the Missouri River, warehouses, docks, wharves, wagon routes, and a few associated businesses. Construction began in 1865, Soon, 400 lots had been surveyed and several cabins had been built in the field below, , Then, on May 25, 1865, a 10-man work party was attacked and killed a few miles from here while cutting logs along the Marias River. Most people blamed the Blood Indians, a branch of the Blackfeet. Others rumored that jealous Fort Benton merchants were responsible for the massacre. In any case, all building efforts ceased. The cabins were eventually taken down and used as fuel for steamboats. Thus, Ophir became the "City That Never Was."
As envisioned, the City of Ophir was to rival Fort Benton. It was to have ferries across the Missouri River, warehouses, docks, wharves, wagon routes, and a few associated businesses. Construction began in 1865, Soon, 400 lots had been surveyed and several cabins had been built in the field below,
Then, on May 25, 1865, a 10-man work party was attacked and killed a few miles from here while cutting logs along the Marias River. Most people blamed the Blood Indians, a branch of the Blackfeet. Others rumored that jealous Fort Benton merchants were responsible for the massacre. In any case, all building efforts ceased. The cabins were eventually taken down and used as fuel for steamboats. Thus, Ophir became the "City That Never Was."
Erected by Bureau of Land Management and National Conservation Lands.
Location. 47° 55.55′ N, 110° 29.8′ W. Marker is near Loma, Montana, in Chouteau County. Marker can be reached from Loma Ferry Road near Curlew Trail. The marker is located on the foot-trail taking off from the Decision Point parking lot. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Loma MT 59460, United States of America. Touch for directions.
3. The Confluence of the Marias and Missouri Rivers
Credits. This page was last revised on December 5, 2020. It was originally submitted on December 5, 2020, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 293 times since then and 74 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on December 5, 2020, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
