Okanogan in Okanogan County, Washington — The American West (Northwest)

Ruby

Photographed by Mark Teshera, May 17, 2024

1. Ruby Marker

Inscription. Queen City of the Okanogan County silver boom, Ruby was born in the spring of 1886. Main Street, following this county road, was 60 feet wide. Both sides were solidly lined with business places for 1/4 mile. Cabins and shacks clung to the hillsides. Ruby rocked when miners poured in from the First Thought, the Arlington, Fourth of July and other notable mines in ridges to the west. With whiskey a dollar a quart, no one went thirsty. Temporary Okanogan County seat for 11 months, Ruby was abandoned overnight when the price dropped out of silver in ‘93. Only a few stone foundations remain of what was once the most famous mining camp in the Northwest.

Erected by Okanogan County Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1886.

Location. 48° 29.901′ N, 119° 43.525′ W. Marker is in Okanogan, Washington, in Okanogan County. It is at the intersection of Salmon Creek Road and Ruby Grde, on the left when traveling north on Salmon Creek Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Okanogan WA 98840, United

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Washington’s Okanogan Highlands.

It is also in the American Mountain West

and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Cascade Range,

the Pacific Rim,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 12 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: U Bar U Ranch (approx. 2.1 miles away); Scotch Creek Basin (approx. 3.1 miles away); First Okanogan County Courthouse (approx. 4.2 miles away); Conconully (approx. 4.4 miles away); Conconully Lake History (approx. 4.4 miles away); Okanogan County World War I Memorial (approx. 11.3 miles away); 1925 - Cariboo Hotel (approx. 11.4 miles away); 1919- Baines Building (approx. 11.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Okanogan.

Regarding Ruby. Also known as the "Babylon of the West."

Ruby Marker on Salmon Creek Road, heading north image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Teshera, May 17, 2024

2. Ruby Marker on Salmon Creek Road, heading north

All of the various buildings were on either side of the road.

An additional Ruby Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Teshera, May 17, 2024

3. An additional Ruby Marker

This additional marker notes the addition of Ruby to the state's historical register.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 8, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 4, 2025, by Mark Teshera of Oroville, Washington. This page has been viewed 188 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on February 4, 2025, by Mark Teshera of Oroville, Washington. 2, 3. submitted on February 7, 2025, by Mark Teshera of Oroville, Washington. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.