Ruby
Ruby is one of Arizona's best-preserved ghost towns, named after storekeeper Julius Andrews' wife Li
State: Arizona
County: Santa Cruz County
Founded: 1877
Abandoned: 1941
Peak Population: 1,200-2,000
Ruby is one of Arizona's best-preserved ghost towns, named after storekeeper Julius Andrews' wife Lille B. Ruby. Originally Montana Camp, it boomed in the 1920s-30s as Arizona's leading lead and zinc producer. Famous for the 'Ruby Murders' that triggered the first airplane manhunt in Arizona history. Now closed to public tours.
Timeline
- 1877 - Montana Camp Miners established Montana Camp at the base of Montana Peak to extract valuable metals.
- 1912 - Renamed Ruby Store owner Julius Andrews renamed the post office Ruby after his wife, Lille B. Ruby Andrews.
- Early 1920s - The Ruby Murders A series of homicides shocked the town and triggered one of the largest manhunts in Southwest history. It was the first manhunt in Arizona to use an airplane in the search.
- Late 1920s-1930s - Peak Era Under Eagle-Picher Mining Company, the Montana Mine became Arizona's leading producer of lead and zinc, also yielding significant silver, gold, and copper. Population reached 1,200-2,000 with continuous mine operation.
- 1940 - Mine Closes The Montana Mine ceased operations.
- May 31, 1941 - Post Office Closes The post office discontinued service and Ruby became a ghost town. Eagle-Picher dismantled and removed many structures.
- Modern Era - Preservation Ruby became known as one of Arizona's best-preserved ghost towns, with approximately 25 buildings including jail, houses, school, and mine machinery. A large colony of Mexican free-tailed bats emerged nightly from an old mine shaft.
- June 3, 2024 - Closed to Public After years of public tours, Ruby was closed to visitors.
Plan Your Visit
Best Time: N/A - Currently closed
Difficulty: N/A
Time Needed: N/A
Tips
- Ruby is currently closed to public tours as of June 2024
- Approximately 25 original buildings remain
- Mexican free-tailed bat colony emerges at sunset from mine shaft
- The jail, school, and houses are among preserved structures
Quick Facts
- The 'Ruby Murders' triggered Arizona's first airplane manhunt
- Named after a storekeeper's wife, Lille B. Ruby Andrews
- The Montana Mine was Arizona's leading lead and zinc producer in the 1930s
- A large bat colony still emerges nightly from an old mine shaft
- Approximately 25 original buildings remain standing
Location
Address: Southwest of Nogales, Santa Cruz County
Coordinates: 31.45, -111.2667