Fort Ruby: First there were the Native Americans. Then there was silver. With the silver came the miners scouring the hills and mountains of Nevada in search of the 'big find.' With the miners came the loggers, merchants, ranchers, and farmers to support the appetite of the mining towns that sprang up throughout the state.
The Indians in Ruby Valley would not be immune to the influx of white settlers. There may have not been sliver, but there was great soil and pasture land - something Nevada did not have a lot of. The natural consequence of this was skirmishes between the natives and the immigrants. In 1862 it was decided that a permanent fort be established half way between Sacramento and Salt Lake City to protect the immigrant trail and overland mail. Colonel Conner lead seven companies of soldiers from California to Salt Lake. This band of 600 men, 55 wagons, and a regimental band must have been an impressive sight. On September 4, 1862 Fort Ruby was established and Major Patrick A. Gallagher was almost immediately named the post commander. Colonel Conner wasted little time leading the remaining six companies on to Salt Lake City.
Under Major Gallagher's command a fort was established, buildings raised, and provisions found during the winter of 1862. In the spring of 1863 Captain Smith of Company H engaged the local Indians and defeated them. In June a treaty was signed by the Goshute Indians and the whites, represented by Major Gallagher. |
Post Office Dates: April 30, 1862 - present
The Ruby Valley post office was established in Toole County in the Utah Territory. So the fort was actually in Utah for three months. In July the Nevada Territory was created out of Utah and the fort became part of Lander County. That is where the fort was when Major Gallagher was in charge, In 1869, with the creation of Elko County, it would find itself inside the new county lines.
This cover is historically significant for many reasons as you have read. But it is also a very early Lander County, Nevada Territorial piece.
According to Gamett & Nelson's survey of Nevada postal history this cancel is rated an R-6.
The Ruby Valley post office was established in Toole County in the Utah Territory. So the fort was actually in Utah for three months. In July the Nevada Territory was created out of Utah and the fort became part of Lander County. That is where the fort was when Major Gallagher was in charge, In 1869, with the creation of Elko County, it would find itself inside the new county lines.
This cover is historically significant for many reasons as you have read. But it is also a very early Lander County, Nevada Territorial piece.
According to Gamett & Nelson's survey of Nevada postal history this cancel is rated an R-6.