Ruth Nevada History

Ruth Nevada History and Photographs

RUTH - A Town on the Move - (1903 - 1954)
On SR 44, 2 miles southwest of its junction with US 50 at a point 5 miles northwest of Ely. Named for Ruth McDonald (Marcotte), the three-year-old daughter of D. C. (Dan) McDonald, locator of the original Ruth Mine that touched off the Ely area copper boom.



Also dubbed the "traveling town," the town of Ruth has been literally moved at least three times between 1903 and the middle 1950's. In 1903, the first Ruth community was a conglomeration of tents and hastily built frame shacks. By 1910, the settlement had moved a short distance to a new nearby site which is referred to as Old Ruth.

Ruth was a "company town" that was strictly managed by the copper company. Houses of ill repute and gambling dens were prohibited. Just before the depression started, Old Ruth's population was over 2,200 people.

Ca 1912 - Old Ruth Panorama View - Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Taking the Long View: Panoramic Photographs, 1851-1991

Most all of the buildings were moved a short distance to New Ruth or to Ely around 1954 when mining operations were extended. The second Old Ruth site now lies beneath the huge tailings of the Ruth Mine's open pit. See more Ruth history and pictures. Ruth Copper mines map. Property Owners of New Ruth

NEW RUTH - (1954 - present)
New Ruth is located on State Road 44, 2 miles southwest of its junction with US 50 at a point 7 miles northwest of Ely. Dubbed as the "traveling town," the site of Ruth has relocated at least three times, possibly five times. "New" Ruth retains its name from the original townsite named for Ruth McDonald (Marcotte), the only daughter of D. C. (Dan) McDonald, locator of the original Ruth Mine that touched off the Ely area copper boom.

The Old Ruth townsite now lies beneath the huge tailings of the Ruth Mine's open pit. Most all of the buildings were moved a short distance to New Ruth or to Ely in the middle 1950's when mining operations were extended by Kennecott Copper Mines. In February 1958 most of the buildings had been moved to New Ruth and Kennecott was offering 165 single unit homes, 2 apartment building, 12 dorms, the staff house and a few vacant lots for sale at prices ranging from $2,500 to $4,000.

Citizens of the brand new town of New Ruth held a special meeting on July 9, 1958 and the "people" created the New Ruth Town Council. The seven people elected to represent New Ruth to the County Commissioners were: Chairman Mike Marich, Secretary Bob Bransford, Marshall Dale, Gail Moulton, Galen Brouse, Gordon Frisby, and Dale Brown.

The county had stated that New Ruth had been excluded from this years budget (1958). The first issue of business for the new Ruth Town Council Members was vote a resounding "NO" on paying the county a special levy of $2.40 per house per month for street lighting and $2.00 per month per house for street maintenance.

The New Ruth residents felt since the county had accepted the town plat in February 1958, the streets and lights became the property of the county at that time. The new town council went on to say that all 173 single-family homes in New Ruth were already on the tax rolls and paying taxes so the residents should not have to pay the special levy.

New Ruth Council members in 1997: Chairman Martin J. Sorenson, Linda Ream, Connie DeLeon, Courtland Hall and Doyle Howes. Beth Smith, secretary.

New Ruth Council members in 2000: Chairman Courtland Hall, Martin J. Sorenson, Linda Ream, Connie DeLeon, and Peter Lott. Mary Sorenson, secretary.

Postmasters over the years in Ruth have been: pre 1923 was ___ Slojsanski; Post 1923: Mrs. Helen Willis, ___ Reinmund, Art Lewis, Zoe Kenyon, Carl Hutton, (Acting) Elsie Arnn, Imogene Van Camp, Virginia Rowe, (OIC) Geneal Spencer, (OIC) Donna Rowe, and since 1980 is Sharon Pickens.

Since the BHP Copper mine closed down in the summer of 1999 due to low prices for copper, the population has declined dramatically. Of the approximately 200 homes, 47 of them are vacant in 2000.

Businesses in New Ruth in 2000 include two bars, The New Ruth Club and the Commercial Club, a post office, the DeLeon convenience store & car wash, a locksmith, a RV Parks, two Laundromats, Webpanda.com, a web publishing business, a garage, pellet stove supplier, mobile home and apartment rentals. The McKay School of Mines has summer classes in the old Kimberly hospital / safety building. All are located within a one block area on or near Main Street.

New Ruth Streets - running E & West (roughly)	New Ruth Streets - running N & S  (roughly)
Sunshine  Keystone  Juniper  Hill (part of) Spruce  Mahogany  Cedar  Pine  Bedford First (part of) Nevada (never opened up) Sage Camden	Arlington Pit (never opened up) New mine train tracks run through this area Ruth (never opened up) New mine train tracks run through this area Daly - Homes are only on the West side of street Chance (never opened up) East Main First (part of)

Pictures

Property Owners of New Ruth

Old Ruth ca 1912 - Library of Congress - Excellent Panoramic Photo

 

New Ruth Town site Lot Owners

 

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