Ruby City, Idaho, Owyhee County was once a bustling hub during the gold rush era, drawing prospectors and fortune-seekers enthusiastic for a new beginning. Below is detailed information about the town.
County: Owyhee County
Zip Code: Not available
Latitude / Longitude: Approximately 43.0120° N, 116.7348° W
Elevation: Approximately 5,440 feet (1,658 meters)
Time Zone: Mountain Time Zone (MTZ)
Established: 1863
Disestablished: 1867
Comments: Ruby City was originally established as the county seat of Owyhee County after discovering gold in the nearby Jordan Creek area. It quickly flourished as miners and entrepreneurs flocked to the town, hoping to make it rich.
However, the initial promise of prosperity was short-lived as the gold deposits were not as abundant as initially believed.
Remains: Today, little remains of Ruby City. Most of the structures from its heyday have vanished, with only a few scattered foundations and remnants of buildings left to mark its existence.
The site is primarily visited by historians and ghost town enthusiasts seeking to capture a glimpse of the past.
Current Status: Ruby City is classified as a ghost town. It holds a place in Idaho’s rich mining history but is no longer inhabited.
Remarks: Despite its brief period of prominence, Ruby City played a significant role in the early development of Owyhee County. It was eventually overshadowed by its neighbor, Silver City, which took over the role of county seat.
The story of Ruby City is emblematic of many boom-and-bust towns from the gold rush era, reflecting the fleeting nature of such settlements driven by the pursuit of wealth.
