Mount Bullion in Mariposa County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Mount Ophir Mine
Photographed by Liam Williams, April 25, 2026
1. Mount Ophir Mine Marker
Inscription.
Mount Ophir Mine. . The Merced Mining Company started the Mount Ophir Mine on the Great Johnson Vein in 1851. By 1852 Mount Ophir had a 12-stamp mill, saw mill, general store, blacksmith, assay office and a post office. The 1855 survey of John C. Fremont's Las Mariposas grant included Mount Ophir. Fremont leased this land to Biddle Boggs in 1857. Afterwards a legal battle began regarding ownership of the grant's mineral rights and in 1859 the California Supreme Court declared the property and mineral rights belonged to Fremont. In 1866 that decision was upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court. From 1864 to 1901 little or no mining was done. Mariposa Commercial and Mining Company took over the mine in 1897, reactivating it in 1901 and closed it in 1914.
The Merced Mining Company started the Mount Ophir Mine on the Great Johnson Vein in 1851. By 1852 Mount Ophir had a 12-stamp mill, saw mill, general store, blacksmith, assay office and a post office. The 1855 survey of John C. Fremont's Las Mariposas grant included Mount Ophir. Fremont leased this land to Biddle Boggs in 1857. Afterwards a legal battle began regarding ownership of the grant's mineral rights and in 1859 the California Supreme Court declared the property and mineral rights belonged to Fremont. In 1866 that decision was upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court. From 1864 to 1901 little or no mining was done. Mariposa Commercial and Mining Company took over the mine in 1897, reactivating it in 1901 and closed it in 1914.
Erected 1997 by Matuca Chapter 1849, E Clampus Vitus.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1851.
Location. 37° 30.872′ N, 120° 3.99′ W. Marker is in Mount Bullion, California, in Mariposa County. It is on Mount Ophir Road, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6389 Mt Ophir Road, Mariposa CA 95338, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in California’s Gold Country and in the Sierra Nevada. It is also in the American Mountain West. Globally, it is in North America, the Pacific Rim, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain and also Mexicos Alta California.
Another marker is no longer nearby. Mount Ophir Mines (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
More about this marker. This marker is a replacement of a marker previously at this site. The text has been completely revised from the previous marker.
Photographed by Liam Williams, April 25, 2026
2. Mount Ophir Mine Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on May 30, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 29, 2026, by Liam Williams of Irvine, California. This page has been viewed 10 times since then. Photos:1, 2. submitted on May 29, 2026, by Liam Williams of Irvine, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
