In November 1889, a farmer named William Moor found gold atop a mountain ridge above Lake Ickta (now Havilah Lake), while propsecting a lot neighboring his farm. This find would set off a land ownership dispute until 1892 when the Ophir Gold Mining Company bought the land, ending the dispute. The Ophir Company sank two shafts and constructed a small village consisting of a manager's house, cook house and dining room, bunkhouses, a store, blacksmith and other storehouses.

From 1894 to 1909, fifteen years, the mine remained closed, a victim of a mining accident and falling gold prices. It was mined again in 1910 and 1911, but by 1916 the town was empty and overgrown.

Location: Take Highway 17 West towards Elliot Lake. You will pass Nesterville, Spragge and Blind River. Turn north onto Highway 638 (the old 561) at Bruce Mines. 25 km up the road you will come to the intersection of Highways 638 North and West. West heads to Leeburn, straight heads to cottage country.

Google map centered on Havilah Lake: http://maps.google.com/?q=46.47799,-83.702409&t=h&z=14&om=1

Google map centered on Ophir: http://maps.google.com/?q=46.463333,-83.728889&t=h&z=14&om=1

I've been into the original mine shaft myself, taken pics and a video.I understand 5 men were killed when one shaft caved in and they were never able to get them out. The mine was re-opened in the early 80's but nothing become of it. The original shaft can still be reached in places but the biggest part of it is now unaccessable due to a cave-in.
Dave Smith, Echo Bay.