may 25, 1865 - Ophir builders killed

Description:

As envisioned, the City of Ophir was to rival Fort Benton. It was to have ferries across the Missouri River, warehouses, docks, wharves, wagon routes, and a few associated businesses. Construction began in 1865, Soon, 400 lots had been surveyed and several cabins had been built in the field below,
Then, on May 25, 1865, a 10-man work party was attacked and killed a few miles from here while cutting logs along the Marias River. Most people blamed the Blood Indians, a branch of the Blackfeet. Others rumored that jealous Fort Benton merchants were responsible for the massacre. In any case, all building efforts ceased. The cabins were eventually taken down and used as fuel for steamboats. Thus, Ophir became the "City That Never Was."

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