Ruby Valley, Nevada facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ruby Valley, Nevada
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 Ruby Valley, Nevada
Location in Nevada
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| Country | United States |
| State | Nevada |
| County | Elko |
| Elevation | 6,079 ft (1,853 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-7 (Mountain (MST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (MST, year round) |
| ZIP code |
89833
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| Area code(s) | 775 |
| GNIS feature ID | 862228 |
Ruby Valley is a small, quiet community in Elko County, Nevada, United States. It is an unincorporated community, which means it's not a city or town with its own local government. Instead, it's part of the larger county. This area is known for its beautiful natural surroundings and its history.
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Exploring Ruby Valley
Ruby Valley is a peaceful place with a lot of open space. It's home to many cattle ranches, where people raise cows. The community also has a small school for students from kindergarten to eighth grade.
Nature and Wildlife
If you love nature, Ruby Valley has some cool spots. The Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge is located here. It's a special place set aside to protect wild animals and their homes. You might see different kinds of birds, fish, and other creatures there. There's also the state-owned Gallagher Fish Hatchery, which helps raise fish for local waters.
A Look Back: The Pony Express
Ruby Valley was once an important stop for the Ruby Valley Pony Express Station. The Pony Express was a famous mail service in the 1860s that used riders on horses to deliver letters across the country very quickly. The original station building has been moved about 60 miles away to Elko, Nevada. It has been carefully restored and is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which means it's recognized as an important historical site.
The Treaty of Ruby Valley
A very important event happened in Ruby Valley on October 1, 1863. This was when the Treaty of Ruby Valley was signed.
Who Signed the Treaty?
The treaty was signed by two governors: Governor James W. Nye from the Nevada Territory and Governor James Duane Doty from the Utah Territory. Also, twelve chiefs signed the treaty for the Western Bands of the Shoshone Nation of Indians. This showed that the Shoshone people were making an agreement with the U.S. government.
What the Treaty Said
The treaty was about land and rights. It confirmed that the Western Shoshone people owned their property. It also stated that even with U.S. settlements growing, the Native American people would still have their own self-governance. The Western Shoshone did not give up their land. Instead, they agreed to let the U.S. government use the area for certain things. This included allowing travel through the area, keeping up existing telegraph and stagecoach lines, building one railroad, and doing specific economic activities.
Why the Treaty Was Important
This treaty was very important during the American Civil War. The Union (the northern states) needed gold to help pay for the war. By having this treaty, the Union could show European countries and banks that they had access to gold. This helped them get financial support during the war.
