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1980 Map of Ophir

Name: 1980 Topographic Map of Ophir
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1980
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1980

About this map

Ophir sits at the head of a canyon on the western slopes of the Oquirrh Mountains, a location defined by the intensive extraction of silver and other minerals. This 1980 survey illustrates the complex industrial footprint of the district, where Tailings Ponds and numerous Mines, including the Montana Mine, dot the steep terrain around Dry Mountain and Lion Hill. The map captures the stark transition from these high-altitude mining operations to the expansive floor of Rush Valley below.

To the south, the sprawling infrastructure of the Tooele Army Depot occupies a significant portion of the valley, marked by its distinct geometric road and storage patterns. Between the military installation and the mountains, the landscape is a mix of agricultural and industrial use, featuring the Bates Ranch alongside various gravel pits and utility sites. The drainage of Ophir Creek and Mercur Creek provides a natural framework for the transport routes, including State Route 73, which connects these remote work sites and settlements.