According to the book Boom Towns and Relic Hunters, which devotes 14 pages to Ruby, the town was in decline in the early 1890s. As you mentioned, a fall in silver prices, and the fact the mines never delivered what was expected, led to that decline. A flood in 1894 that washed away part of nearby Conconully also did some damage to Ruby. It's speculated that some buildings were torn down so their materials could be reused elsewhere. There was a fire around 1900 and, according to the book, the last report of any remaining buildings was in 1904. I traveled all over Washington about 20-years ago visiting ghost towns and old mining areas. RUclips didn't exist back then, or I would have documented everything as you are doing. Keep up the good work, it's nice to see how some of these places have changed since I was there last.
Nice job Tim. There are some interesting stories about Ruby City too. We hope to hear more during your March presentation at the Bush House. I sure hope you got Loop Loop City in your plans too. First platted city in Okanogan County.
The rock walls that are dug into the hillside make sense, and if you look at the photograph you'll see that many buildings were set into the hillside. Now, if anyone is serious about understanding these ruins, you need to start with the road through town and the photograph of the several dozen structures in the town's heyday. The key is the bend in the road, because that's where the larger buildings were. Locate the viewpoint from where the photo was taken (shouldn't be hard) to find the bend.
i spent a lot of time in Okanogan with a friend a few years ago so I am familiar with the Ruby area. The old mining road from Ruby up the back of Ruby Mountain is still there and is quite steep and narrow. I enjoyed the video. Thanks.
Quite a bit of ore still laying around up there. Picked up some good Galena in white quartz at a few of the mines up in there. That's a pretty steep road from the Ruby town site up the hill
I wonder how they got the picture of the town from that view of it that you are showing us? That was like it was from an airplane or up top of a big tree?
I am sorry if that made you feel bad. But I was only kidding around, because it was out there somewhere? And anyone could have spotted it, and wondered about it? But it wasn't me for sure. But thank you for sharing this with us. And if it was found? Then, since you have said something about it I would hope that they might let you know?
Yes, we know some of the individuals who located and documented the site years ago. There is nothing there to indicate a cemetery existed, unfortunately.
My mother & her family lived very close to the town of Ruby. She told me it burned in a forest fire in about 1932, Looks like it burned off again based on what I can see in the video. I was there in the mid- late 60's, IIRC, and watched people screening the garbage dump area, mostly for marbles and coins. There were a few boards left sticking up showing where the foundations were. Pretty well worked over by relic hunters back then. Mostly a few stones showing where the buildings had been. I know at least one of my aunts had relic hunted the town and area.
Back in the early 70s my dad went exploring out in Ruby. He found an old Morgan dollar that was scorched, bubbly and warped like a pringle chip. He said it was laying on top of a small dirt heap like a treasure hunter was too excited to take their time and carefully sift thru the overburden when they started digging. Cant make out the mint mark and most of the date but can only make out 188?
According to the book Boom Towns and Relic Hunters, which devotes 14 pages to Ruby, the town was in decline in the early 1890s. As you mentioned, a fall in silver prices, and the fact the mines never delivered what was expected, led to that decline. A flood in 1894 that washed away part of nearby Conconully also did some damage to Ruby. It's speculated that some buildings were torn down so their materials could be reused elsewhere. There was a fire around 1900 and, according to the book, the last report of any remaining buildings was in 1904. I traveled all over Washington about 20-years ago visiting ghost towns and old mining areas. RUclips didn't exist back then, or I would have documented everything as you are doing. Keep up the good work, it's nice to see how some of these places have changed since I was there last.
Thanks for the additional information and comments. Appreciate you!!
Nice job Tim. There are some interesting stories about Ruby City too. We hope to hear more during your March presentation at the Bush House. I sure hope you got Loop Loop City in your plans too. First platted city in Okanogan County.
Thanks Daryl!!
That area is very dry, and I can see why it catches on fire by lightning strikes. Just by looking at the brush
It is an area prone to fires.
The rock walls that are dug into the hillside make sense, and if you look at the photograph you'll see that many buildings were set into the hillside.
Now, if anyone is serious about understanding these ruins, you need to start with the road through town and the photograph of the several dozen structures in the town's heyday. The key is the bend in the road, because that's where the larger buildings were. Locate the viewpoint from where the photo was taken (shouldn't be hard) to find the bend.
Appreciate the insights and comments. Thanks!
i spent a lot of time in Okanogan with a friend a few years ago so I am familiar with the Ruby area. The old mining road from Ruby up the back of Ruby Mountain is still there and is quite steep and narrow. I enjoyed the video. Thanks.
Thank you. We appreciate you watching and the comments.
I grew up in Okanogan and spent a lot of time exploring up in the Ruby area.. this brings back many good memories.
I'm glad to share it with you. Thanks!
A tidbit...there was a Ruby in Whatcom county at one time, but is now at the bottom of Ross Lake.
Thanks for that. I think we had heard that once. Interesting information either way. Appreciate the comment.
Quite a bit of ore still laying around up there. Picked up some good Galena in white quartz at a few of the mines up in there. That's a pretty steep road from the Ruby town site up the hill
We have been up there several times, great area.
I backed my car halfway down that hill once. It was crazy.
I wonder how they got the picture of the town from that view of it that you are showing us? That was like it was from an airplane or up top of a big tree?
It depends on which direction that photo was actually taken from. They could have been up on a nearby ridge higher elevation.
It was probably taken from Ruby hill.. it’s a very steep road coming down that hill..
Don't wanna walk around out there. I lost a snowmobile in a vent shaft out there in the mid 90's 😅
That doesn't sound good.
Oh that was why I found a snowmobile out there? Thanks. Now I'm just messing around with you guys? But I will keep my eyes open for one
I am sorry if that made you feel bad. But I was only kidding around, because it was out there somewhere? And anyone could have spotted it, and wondered about it? But it wasn't me for sure. But thank you for sharing this with us. And if it was found? Then, since you have said something about it I would hope that they might let you know?
There’s a graveyard there too.
Yes, we know some of the individuals who located and documented the site years ago. There is nothing there to indicate a cemetery existed, unfortunately.
My mother & her family lived very close to the town of Ruby. She told me it burned in a forest fire in about 1932, Looks like it burned off again based on what I can see in the video. I was there in the mid- late 60's, IIRC, and watched people screening the garbage dump area, mostly for marbles and coins. There were a few boards left sticking up showing where the foundations were. Pretty well worked over by relic hunters back then. Mostly a few stones showing where the buildings had been. I know at least one of my aunts had relic hunted the town and area.
It's so dry, your footsteps sound like munching on Corn Flakes.
Thank you for the tour.
Unfortunately, the noise can be an issue. It's either a dry crunch or the swish through water. 🤣 Thanks for the comments and watching.
@@ghosttownsandminesofwashington It made me hungry for Corn Flakes, no problem, except that I don't have any. 😬
@@toddburgess6792 🤣
Back in the early 70s my dad went exploring out in Ruby. He found an old Morgan dollar that was scorched, bubbly and warped like a pringle chip. He said it was laying on top of a small dirt heap like a treasure hunter was too excited to take their time and carefully sift thru the overburden when they started digging.
Cant make out the mint mark and most of the date but can only make out 188?
That is a very cool and interesting story. Thanks for sharing it.
A hole in the ground!
It might be full of rubies...
@@mr.wallace1074 Better get some before theyre all gone.
Not much left.
@@ghosttownsandminesofwashington People pick up stuff, then its gone.