Ruby, Washington facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ruby, Washington
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 Ruby, Washington
Location in Washington (state)
Ruby, Washington
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Washington |
| County | Okanogan |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (Pacific (PST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (PDT) |
Ruby is a ghost town located in Okanogan County, Washington State, in the United States. A ghost town is a place where most people have left, and it's mostly empty now.
The Discovery of Silver
The story of Ruby began in 1886. That year, people found silver on the sides of Ruby Mountain and Peacock Hill. This discovery made many people excited. Silver was a very valuable metal back then.
How Ruby Grew
- By 1887, a special mining area was set up.
- A small camp quickly grew next to Salmon Creek.
- This camp was named Ruby, or sometimes Ruby City.
- It became a busy place for miners and their families.
Life in Ruby City
Ruby grew very fast. At its peak, about 700 people lived there. By 1888, the town had 70 buildings. These buildings lined the main street. In 1888, Ruby was even chosen to be the county seat for a short time. This meant it was the main town for the county's government. A local newspaper, called the Ruby Miner, told everyone about how much silver was in the area.
Why Ruby Became a Ghost Town
Ruby's success did not last forever. In 1893, a big economic problem happened across the country. It was called the Panic of 1893. During this time, the price of silver dropped very low. Because silver was no longer worth as much, mining in Ruby became less profitable. People started to leave the town. Slowly, Ruby became empty. It turned into the ghost town we know today.
