Ruby, Alaska
| Ruby | |
|---|---|
| City | |
 Ruby
|
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| Coordinates: 64°44′14″N 155°29′16″W / 64.73722°N 155.48778°WCoordinates: 64°44′14″N 155°29′16″W / 64.73722°N 155.48778°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Alaska |
| Census Area | Yukon-Koyukuk |
| Incorporated | September 25, 1973 |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Elizabeth Captain |
| • State senator | Donny Olson (D) |
| • State rep. | Neal Foster (D) |
| Area | |
| • Total | 7.6 sq mi (19.6 km2) |
| • Land | 7.6 sq mi (19.6 km2) |
| • Water | 0.0 sq mi (0.0 km2) |
| Elevation | 249 ft (76 m) |
| Population (2007) | |
| • Total | 169 |
| • Density | 24.9/sq mi (9.6/km2) |
| Time zone | Alaska (AKST) (UTC-9) |
| • Summer (DST) | AKDT (UTC-8) |
| ZIP codes | 99768 |
| Area code | 907 |
| FIPS code | 02-65590 |
Ruby is an incorporated town in central western Alaska, situated on the south bank of the Yukon River at the northwestern-most tip of the Nowitna National Wildlife Refuge. It is accessible only by boat or air. A formerly sizeable gold-mining and lumbering town servicing the region, at the 2010 census the population was just 166, with only a general store and post office remaining as businesses.
The town of Ruby was established in 1911 as the result of a gold rush. Gold was first discovered at the current townsite in 1906 on Ruby Creek. That discovery brought more prospectors to the area. In 1910 word leaked out about a gold strike on Long Creek, 30 miles south of Ruby, and a stampede was on. Discoveries on other nearby creeks followed and Ruby became the supply point for the mines.
At its peak the population was near 3000. By 1918 the town was in decline. Many of the men had left to fight in World War I and several of the towns business people and their families were lost in the sinking of the ship Sophia.
A fire in 1929 destroyed much of the business district and a flood in 1931 took out what was left of buildings on the riverfront.
After World War II the population of the community had left. Natives from the village of Kokrines moved in to take advantage of the abandoned homes. There are currently fewer than 200 people living in Ruby.
Local residents nicknamed the town The Gem of the Yukon, because it is located along the Yukon River and the name resembles that of a ruby gemstone.
The largest gold nugget ever found in Alaska, 294.10 troy ounces (322.67 oz; 9,148 g), was found near Ruby in 1998.
Ruby is located at 64°44′14″N 155°29′16″W / 64.73722°N 155.48778°W (64.737306, -155.487693).
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 7.6 square miles (20 km2).
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Wikipedia