Omakau
Ophir is a lowly populated locality[1] in Central Otago, New Zealand, located between Alexandra and Ranfurly beside the Manuherikia River. Originally known as Blacks, when gold was discovered in Central Otago in 1863 the town's population grew to over 1000 as it became the commercial and social centre of the district. It was renamed Ophir at this time which was where King Solomon obtained the gold to sheath the Temple in Jerusalem, and is thus the place name of the legendary "King Solomon's Goldmines".
Today, with a current population of only 50, the town is known for the many original buildings still surviving including the restored Post and Telegraph Office built in 1886, the 1895 Courthouse, and the 1870s Police Station.
New Zealand's official lowest temperature of -21.6 °C was recorded at Ophir on 3 July 1995.
References
- ^ Land Information New Zealand, New Zealand Geographic Placenames Database: Place Name Detail - Ophir, accessed 29 May 2007.
45°07′S 169°36′E / 45.117°S 169.600°E
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