Near Mariposa in Mariposa County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

REPLACED

CHECK OTHERS NEARBY

Mount Ophir Mines

The Ophir Mines Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Lester J Letson

1. The Ophir Mines Marker

The Ophir Mines marker was vandalized in August or September of 2010. The damaged piece of granite was removed in late 2010. The marker will be replaced at a later date by E Clampus Vitus, Matuca Chapter.

Inscription. The Mount Ophir Mine is one of the most successful and conspicuous of the Mother Lode Mines in Mariposa County. It includes the Mount Ophir Mint which was the first of such mints to turn gold into coins. The mint was rebuilt by John Moffitt, who had been appointed to the Office of United States Assayer for California by President Tyler. It minted $50.00 octagonal [unreadable] (slugs) in 1850 and 1851 prior to the mint being established in San Francisco. The mine was worked extensively until 1914.

Erected 1997 by Matuca Chapter 1849, E Clampus Vitus.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Natural Resources. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus, and the Former U.S. Presidents: #10 John Tyler series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1851.

Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 37° 30.871′ N, 120° 3.986′ W. Marker was near Mariposa, California, in Mariposa County. It was on Mount Ophir Road. Mt. Ophir Road parallels California Highway 49 and has two entrances. The marker is closer to the southern entrance. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Mariposa CA 95338, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker was in California’s Gold Country

and in the Sierra Nevada.

It was also in the American Mountain West.

Globally, it was in North America,

the Pacific Rim,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it found itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers.

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies: Mount Ophir Mine (here, next to this marker); La Mineta 1850 - Princeton 1854 - Mount Bullion 1862 (approx. 1.3 miles away); May Rock (approx. 2.7 miles away); Agua Fria (approx. 3.8 miles away); a different marker also named Agua Fria (approx. 3.8 miles away); Gertrude School (approx. 4½ miles away); Bear Valley (approx. 4.7 miles away); a different marker also named Bear Valley (approx. 4.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mariposa.

More about this marker. The marker has been replaced as of April 2026 with its text completely revised.

Also see . . .
1. Mt. Ophir Mine Mariposa. This is a Youtube video clip. (Submitted on August 22, 2011, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)

2. The Story of Moffat and Co. Gold Coins. (Submitted on August 22, 2011, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)

Additional commentary.
1. My Childhood
To find a Mount Ophir site on the Internet is fascinating to me!!! My father was a geography professor at Fresno State University (now CSUF) and I grew up on his 1 & 3 day field trips to the "Mother Lode" as a kid. Harry Odgers used to tell us stories about the old days when my father researched new aspects

The Ophir Mines Marker - Missing image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 18, 2011

2. The Ophir Mines Marker - Missing

to his teachings. A very interesting guy! When he would he return to the mine the next day, the dust would have lowered to about waist height (like an odd fog) as opposed to an all consuming haze. I have been to the mine many times over my early life and always thought of Harry. It was always an ugly poison oak covered trail to get to the place but the tribulation was always worth it.

CJ

— Submitted November 9, 2013, by Christian Scott Johnson of Fresno, California.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 18, 2011

3. The Ophir Mines Marker missing.

Photographed by Unknown, circa 1860

4. Mount Ophir

Originally the town of Ophir, it was established by Mexican Miners in 1848. It was renamed Mount Ophir in 1856. In 1858 it was a bustling gold mine community with 3 working stamp mills in operation.

The photo is from a pamphlet printed by E Clampus Vitus in 2010

Credits. This page was last revised on May 30, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 22, 2011, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 2,752 times since then and 114 times this year. Last updated on April 26, 2026, by Liam Williams of Irvine, California. Photos: 1. submitted on February 20, 2012, by Lester J Letson of Fresno, California. 2, 3. submitted on August 22, 2011, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. 4. submitted on February 21, 2012, by Lester J Letson of Fresno, California. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. Submission of the replacement marker for its own profile. • Can you help?