Near Shanty Town in White Pine County, Nevada — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Fort Ruby

1862 - 1869

Photographed By Chris English, June 18, 2014

1. Fort Ruby Marker

Inscription. Colonel P. Edward Connor was ordered to build and command this post in 1862. The fort was built midway between Salt Lake City, Utah and Carson City, Nevada to protect the Overland Mail Route (Pony Express) and emigrant travelers from Indian raiders. Most Army outposts of this time were built in remote areas, but this post was classified by the Army as the "Worst Post in the West." In 1869 the completion of the transcontinental railroad brought an end to the Pony Express, and the need for this fort. Post Commander Captain Timothy was ordered to close the fort. He and his men returned "Worst Post in the West" back to the Nevada desert in 1869.

Erected 1994 by Lucinda Jane Saunders Chapter 1881 E Clampus Vitus.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Forts and Castles. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1862.

Location. 40° 4.025′ N, 115° 31.827′ W. Marker is near Shanty Town, Nevada, in White Pine County. Marker is on White Pine County Road (County Road 3) 53.7 miles north of U.S. 50, on the right when traveling north. The first, or last cottonwood trees as you enter or leave Ruby Valley mark Fort Ruby's location. Touch for map. Marker is in

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this post office area: Ely NV 89301, United States of America. Touch for directions.

More about this marker. This is probably one of the most remote historical markers in the Lower 48 States.

Also see . . . Fort Ruby. Fort Ruby was about 300 miles from Salt Lake City and nearly the same distance from Carson City, far removed from what might loosely be called civilization in the old American West. Troops of the Third Regiment of California Volunteers, all 600 of them, arrived in September 1862, and spent a month constructing log structures. (Submitted on June 20, 2014.)

Site of Fort Ruby image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Chris English, June 18, 2014

2. Site of Fort Ruby

View E from the Fort Ruby Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Chris English, June 18, 2014

3. View E from the Fort Ruby Marker

A commemorative flagpole is visible in the picture, Fort Ruby ruins at center right.

View S from the Fort Ruby Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Chris English, June 18, 2014

4. View S from the Fort Ruby Marker

View W from the Fort Ruby Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Chris English, June 18, 2014

5. View W from the Fort Ruby Marker

View N from the Fort Ruby Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Chris English, June 18, 2014

6. View N from the Fort Ruby Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on March 13, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 20, 2014, by Chris English of Phoenix, Arizona. This page has been viewed 643 times since then and 30 times this year. Last updated on June 23, 2014, by Chris English of Phoenix, Arizona. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 20, 2014, by Chris English of Phoenix, Arizona. 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on June 23, 2014, by Chris English of Phoenix, Arizona. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.