Ophir was about halfway between Brewster and Malott on the old stage road, the first stop out of Brewster where the first horse change was made. This site was on a bench about one half mile from the Okanogan River. It was the homestead of James B. Watson.

Ophir had a post office that was established on June 13, 1890. The town of Ophir was described by one old-timer as "never more then a ranch house of George T. Jenkins," in which was a store and post office, which served the surrounding ranch settlers.