History by the side of the road

This article was published on 09.03.09

The familiar but fast disappearing remains of the Ophir Mill are located on the east side of U.S. 395 through Washoe Valley. In the Comstock era, ore was brought down the Ophir Grade and then across a causeway over Washoe Valley to the steam mill, which was capable of processing a hundred tons daily. The structure, probably built in 1861, survived in relatively good shape with the walls still standing until the 1970s when 395 was moved from the west side of the valley to just yards from the mill. The increased vibration accelerated the deterioration of the structure and the walls that had mostly survived for a century are now mostly fallen.

The familiar but fast disappearing remains of the Ophir Mill are located on the east side of U.S. 395 through Washoe Valley. In the Comstock era, ore was brought down the Ophir Grade and then across a causeway over Washoe Valley to the steam mill, which was capable of processing a hundred tons daily. The structure, probably built in 1861, survived in relatively good shape with the walls still standing until the 1970s when 395 was moved from the west side of the valley to just yards from the mill. The increased vibration accelerated the deterioration of the structure and the walls that had mostly survived for a century are now mostly fallen.

Photo By dennis myers

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