Ruby, Washington

 interesting place, ghost town

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Now a ghost town, Ruby, WA was once a city of anywhere from 700 - 3,000 people. People began populating the area in the early 1880's, when silver was discovered on Ruby Mountain in which the town was named after. Ruby became the first county seat of Okanogan County. Ruby began its descent in 1893, when the price of silver dropped to mere cents to the ounce. By the turn of the 20th century, the town was completely deserted. Plagued by fires, floods, avalanches, and reintroduction to nature, there is nothing left of the once booming town, which featured several saloons, buildings of over 4 stories in height, and even its own hotel. Currently, a well maintained dirt road leads to and through the area. The road is the original main street of Ruby. Records are nearly impossible to find documenting Ruby's history, though one photograph, and a few websites containing much info do exist. The switchback to the left was the path leading to the mines, called the Ruby Grade. Abandoned mines are scattered across the surrounding mountains.