Ruby City

Idaho's ghost towns burned fast — placer gold camps that lasted a season, then timber towns the forest is still swallowing.

Ruby City is a ghost town in Owyhee County, Idaho, United States. It was located along Jordan Creek about a mile below Silver City. Ruby City was a mining town settled in November 1863. The town was the first county seat of Owyhee County and was born to serve the rich mines in the vicinity. The Owyhee Avalanche, first newspaper in Owyhee County, started in Ruby City in 1865, but was moved to nearby Silver City just over a year later. The post office, which opened in 1864, closed in 1867.

Calling it Ruby City was either optimism or a very good joke — boomtowns were never modest about their ambitions.

The on-the-ground condition of Ruby City is unverified — it's listed here with unknown status. That could mean standing buildings, or an empty field. Go prepared for either, and consider sharing what you find so the record improves.

Nobody has confirmed the access situation, so treat any visit as reconnaissance: verify land ownership first, and be ready to admire from the road.

Here's the honest truth: access to Ruby City is unverified. We couldn't confirm whether the site sits on public land, private property, or something in between — so verify land ownership and local rules before visiting, and respect private property at all times.

Ghost-town etiquette is simple: take only photographs. Removing artifacts is illegal on public lands and disrespectful everywhere else — and on federal land it can be a serious offense.