Ruby, Arizona
Encyclopedia
Ruby is a ghost town
in Santa Cruz County
, Arizona
, United States
. It was founded as a mining town
in Bear Valley
, originally named Montana Camp, so named because the miners were mining at the foot of Montana Peak.
On April 11, 1912 the mining camp's general store owner Julius Andrews established the post office. Andrews named the post office “Ruby” after his wife Lille B. Ruby Andrews, and the mining camp soon became known as Ruby. The post office was discontinued on May 31, 1941.
Between 1920 and 1922, the town of Ruby, or the desert nearby, was the scene of three gruesome double homicides committed by Mexican rebels or bandits. Together these incidents are known as the Ruby Murders
which led to the largest manhunt in the history of the Southwest.
The most prosperous period for Ruby was in the late 1920s and 30s, when the Eagle-Picher Mining Company operated the mine and upgraded the camp. From 1934 to 1937, the Montana mine was the leading lead
and zinc
producer in Arizona. In 1936, it was third in silver
production. The mine closed in 1940, and by the end of 1941, Ruby abandoned.
Ruby is one of the two best-preserved mining ghost towns in Arizona, along with the Vulture Mine
near Wickenburg, Arizona
. Ruby's attractions today include about 25 buildings under roof, including the old jail and houses, the old school, the playground, old mine machinery, buildings and mine workings. Ruby is entirely on private property and there is a charge for admission to the site.
There are occasional public tours offered through Pima Community College
.
Ghost town
A ghost town is an abandoned town or city. A town often becomes a ghost town because the economic activity that supported it has failed, or due to natural or human-caused disasters such as floods, government actions, uncontrolled lawlessness, war, or nuclear disasters...
in Santa Cruz County
Santa Cruz County, Arizona
-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*73.5% White*0.4% Black*0.7% Native American*0.5% Asian*0.0% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*2.0% Two or more races*22.9% Other races*82.8% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...
, Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It was founded as a mining town
Mining town
A mining community, also known as a mining town or a mining camp, is a community that houses miners. Mining communities are usually created around a mine or a quarry for the extraction or smeltering of ore.-United States:...
in Bear Valley
Bear Valley
Bear Valley may refer to:United States* Bear Valley, San Bernardino County, California, USA* Bear Valley, Arizona a valley in Santa Cruz County, Arizona* Bear Valley, Alpine County, California, USA...
, originally named Montana Camp, so named because the miners were mining at the foot of Montana Peak.
History
Mining started around 1877. The Montana Mine produced gold, silver, lead, zinc and copper. At its peak in the mid 1930s, Ruby had a population of about 1,200.On April 11, 1912 the mining camp's general store owner Julius Andrews established the post office. Andrews named the post office “Ruby” after his wife Lille B. Ruby Andrews, and the mining camp soon became known as Ruby. The post office was discontinued on May 31, 1941.
Between 1920 and 1922, the town of Ruby, or the desert nearby, was the scene of three gruesome double homicides committed by Mexican rebels or bandits. Together these incidents are known as the Ruby Murders
Ruby Murders
The Ruby Murders is the popular name for three separate incidents involving the deaths of six American citizens at or near the town of Ruby, Arizona. The first incident occurred in February 1920 when Mexican bandits, thought to be Villistas, robbed and killed the two owners of the Ruby Mercantile...
which led to the largest manhunt in the history of the Southwest.
The most prosperous period for Ruby was in the late 1920s and 30s, when the Eagle-Picher Mining Company operated the mine and upgraded the camp. From 1934 to 1937, the Montana mine was the leading lead
Lead
Lead is a main-group element in the carbon group with the symbol Pb and atomic number 82. Lead is a soft, malleable poor metal. It is also counted as one of the heavy metals. Metallic lead has a bluish-white color after being freshly cut, but it soon tarnishes to a dull grayish color when exposed...
and zinc
Zinc
Zinc , or spelter , is a metallic chemical element; it has the symbol Zn and atomic number 30. It is the first element in group 12 of the periodic table. Zinc is, in some respects, chemically similar to magnesium, because its ion is of similar size and its only common oxidation state is +2...
producer in Arizona. In 1936, it was third in silver
Silver
Silver is a metallic chemical element with the chemical symbol Ag and atomic number 47. A soft, white, lustrous transition metal, it has the highest electrical conductivity of any element and the highest thermal conductivity of any metal...
production. The mine closed in 1940, and by the end of 1941, Ruby abandoned.
Vulture Mine
The Vulture Mine was a gold mine and settlement in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States. The mine began in 1863 and became the most productive gold mine in Arizona history. From 1863 to 1942, the mine produced 340,000 ounces of gold and 260,000 ounces of silver...
near Wickenburg, Arizona
Wickenburg, Arizona
Wickenburg is a town in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States. According to 2006 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the town is 6,423.-Geography:Wickenburg is located at ....
. Ruby's attractions today include about 25 buildings under roof, including the old jail and houses, the old school, the playground, old mine machinery, buildings and mine workings. Ruby is entirely on private property and there is a charge for admission to the site.
There are occasional public tours offered through Pima Community College
Pima Community College
Pima Community College is an American two-year institution of higher education in Pima County, Arizona serving the Tucson metropolitan area. The community college district consists of six campuses, four education centers, and several adult education learning centers. It provides traditional and...
.
Further reading
- Ring, Al, et al.(2005) Ruby, Arizona: Mining, Mayhem, and Murder. TucsonTucson, ArizonaTucson is a city in and the county seat of Pima County, Arizona, United States. The city is located 118 miles southeast of Phoenix and 60 miles north of the U.S.-Mexico border. The 2010 United States Census puts the city's population at 520,116 with a metropolitan area population at 1,020,200...
: U.S. Press and Graphics, 2005.