1

Some of the first workings at the Havilah Gold Mine.
1900
Ophir, Ontario, Canada

2

In the late 1800's, while copper was still being mined in Bruce Mines, gold was discovered in nearby Ophir.

Photo courtesy of Russ Hunter.

3

"Shortly before the beginning of the twentieth century, gold was found in Galbraith Township, Ophir, Ontario in the vicinity of the farms of William Moor and Alexander Murray.
After the mine was worked for a few years, the vein was lost and they were unable to find it again. They figured there had been an upheaval that had shifted the vein. Several attempts were made to get the mine working again, as it was felt there was considerable gold there if it could be found.
As late as 1906, a few men were still working under the management of Mr. S.H. Bryant of Bruce Mines and a Mr. Kenneth MacKenzie…
In 1938 considerable diamond drilling was done by a Mr. Harding, a mining engineer, with a Mr. Bartlett of Sudbury working the drills. They found a considerable amount of gold, but as Mr. Harding said, gold, at that time, was not in as great demand as base metals."

-From the memoirs of Jessie Harnden.

4

Group of miners gathered in front of the cookery at the Havilah Gold Mine.
1900
Ophir, Ontario, Canada

5

Photo courtesy of Russ Hunter.

6

"Another story about gold mining at the Havilah was told by John MacDonald who lived on the next farm. He sold a cow to a neighbour, Mr. Moor, who later butchered it. He found considerable gold nuggets in the cow's stomach. She must have eaten the gold while pasturing on Mr. MacDonald's farm."

-From the memoirs of Helen Harnden.

7

Mill at the Havilah, formerly the Ophir Gold Mine, 18 miles north of Bruce Mines.
1915
Ophir, Ontario, Canada

8

Photograph courtesy of the Ontario Ministry of Northern Development and Mines.
© Queen's Printer for Ontario, 1907. Reproduced with permission.