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Ruby Valley Station
The Ruby Valley Station was started in 1859 as part of George Chorpenning’s mail route. Later the station served the Pony Express and Overland Mail Company line in White Pine County, Nevada. The station was managed by William “Uncle Billy” Rogers and Frederick William Hurst.
Richard Burton visited the site on October 7, 1860, Rogers served as stationkeeper. At that time, this station was considered a half-way point between Salt Lake City, Utah and the Carson Valley. Protection from angry Western Shoshone Tribes is provided from Fort Ruby from 1862 – 1869, which is located near by. The station is an extremely small log cabin which is just eleven feet wide and eighteen feet lone.
The area’s rich soil provided excellent opportunities to raise food and hay for the other stations along the route. A band of Shoshone and the army also established camps near the station at various times. Camp Floyd’s Company B of the 4th Artillery Regiment arrived at Ruby Valley in May 1860 to protect the mail route during the Pyramid Lake War and remained there until October. Thereafter, the station’s name appeared on the 1861 mail contract list.
NPS – Pony Express DIVISION FOUR: STATIONS BETWEEN SALT LAKE CITY AND ROBERTS CREEK
The structure is built from vertical logs which form the walls. The walls are topped by smaller logs placed perpendicularly to form a slightly sloped shed roof. The root is originally covered with sod. An exterior stone chimney stands at one end of the cabin. The only opening into the building is the front entrance, centered in the main facade. Pony Express stations consisted of rudimentary cabins for shelter, they were critical to the survival of the route.
For preservation, the Ruby Vally station was physically relocated to the grounds of the Northeastern Nevada Museum in Elko in 1960. The Northeastern Nevada Historical Society donated a brass maker to identify the station site in 1979.
Ruby Valley Station Map
Station Summary
| Name | Ruby Valley Station |
| Location | White Pine County, Nevada |
| Latitude, Longitude | 40.04652, -115.4918 |
| GNIS | 845958 |
| Elevation | 6030 feet |
| Pony Express Station No. | 131 |
References
The Pony Express Trails and Stations In Nevada
The Pony Express operated for a very brief period of time from April 3, 1860, to October 26, 1861. The mail service allowed quick delivery of mail, messages and newspapers between California and Missouri. The pony express was built and operated around one hundred and eighty six stations, which enabled a rider to change horses frequently and quickly traverse the county.
The Pony Express only operated for a brief 18 months. Yet, the lore of its riders racing the mail across the country maintains a special place in history. The service was not a financial success and heavily subsidized. Despite this influx of capital, the service was doomed on October 24, 1861 with the success of the transcontinental telegraph.
A Brief History
The Pony Express started to fill a need caused by the growing populations of California. After the discovery of Gold in 1848, thousands streaked to the golden state to seek their fortune in the ground. Additional demand for mail service was caused from migration along the infamous Oregon Trail and the Utah Mormon exodus in 1847. Stage Service was used to transfer correspondence across the Western United States.
The service was built and organized by three men, William Russell, Alexander Majors, and William B. Waddell. These men formed the company Russell, Majors & Waddell and in just two months in the winter of 1860 organized 184 stations, 80 riders and 400 hundred horse to race mail from St. Joseph, Missouri to Sacramento, California. Some of the stations were existing stage stops while others were purpose built humble buildings deep in the Nevada territory. They hoped with a 10 day delivery time they could secure government contracts. The costs of the expedited service was 25000% greater that the slower stage service and a 1/2 package would cost $5 at the time.
“Men Wanted”
The undersigned wishes to hire ten or a dozen men, familiar with the management of horses, as hostlers, or riders on the Overland Express Route via Salt Lake City. Wages $50 per month and found.
Ad in the Sacramento Union, March 19, 1860
The riders would received their delivery and store them in a special mail pouch or mochila. The rider would travel from station to station and changed horses at each station about every 10 miles. Every third station, or so, is designated as a home station, where extra horses, firearms, men and provision are kept. Weight was an important factor. Riders, horses, letters, and gear were all chosen with this in mind. The horses averaged about 14 1/2 hands high and weighed less than 900 pounds. The riders would be changed every 75 to 100 miles and road 24 hours a day. A pony express rider earned $125 / month which was a good salary for the time
The last day of the pony express was October 26, 1861. On this day, the transcontinental telegraph completed the first direct communication between san Francisco and New York. On that day, the pony express officially became too slow, too expensive and ceased operations.
Nevada Pony Express Stations
- Alpine Ranch Station
- Antelope Spring Station
- Buckland’s Station ( Lyon County ) Home Station
- Butte Station
- Carson City
- Carson Sink Station ( Carson City ) Home Station
- Cold Springs Station – Home Station
- Dayton Station ( Lyon County )
- Deep Creek Station
- Diamond Springs Station ( Eureka County )
- Dry Creek Station – Home Station
- Dry Wells Station
- Edwards Creek Station
- Egan Station
- Eightmile
- Fort Churchill ( Lyon County ) Home Station
- Friday’s Station ( Douglas County ) Home Station
- Genoa ( Douglas County )
- Grubb’s Well
- Hooten Well Station
- Jacob’s Well Station
- Jacobsville Station
- Middlegate Station
- Miller’s Station ( Churchill County )
- Mountain Spring Station
- Prairie Gate
- Ragtown Station ( Churchill County )
- Robert’s Creek Station – Home Station
- Ruby Valley Station ( White Pine County )
- Sand Springs Station
- Scheel Creek Station – Home Station
- Simpson Park Station
- Smith Creek Station – Home Station
- Spring Valley Station
- Sulpher Springs Station
- Van Sickle’s Station ( Douglas County )
Pony Express Rider Oath
I, … , do hereby swear, before the Great and Living God, that during my engagement, and while I am an employee of Russell, Majors, and Waddell, I will, under no circumstances, use profane language, that I will drink no intoxicating liquors, that I will not quarrel or fight with any other employee of the firm, and that in every respect I will conduct myself honestly, be faithful to my duties, and so direct all my acts as to win the confidence of my employers, so help me God.”
Oath sworn by Pony Express Rider
Pony Express Trail Map
 Buckland’s StationBuckland Station is a pony express station, stage stop, boarding house and supplier near Fort Churchill in Lyon County, Nevada. The station is designated as… |
 Carson City Station – Pony Express StationCarson City Station was a pony express station located between on Carson Street between Forth and Fifth Street in Carson City, Nevada. Founded in 1858,… |
 Dayton Station – Pony ExpressDayton, Nevada is a small unincorporated community, and the location of the Dayton Station Pony Express stop in Lyon County, Nevada. The little town of… |
 Diamond Springs StationDiamond Springs Station is a Pony Express Station number 133 and located in a meadow in Eureka County, Nevada. Today the station is on private… |
 Fairview Nevada – Churchill County Ghost TownFounded in 1905, Fairview Nevada is a ghost town and silver mining camp located in Churchill County, near the town of Fallon, Nevada. The towns… |
 Fort Churchill NevadaFort Churchill is a Civil War era United States Army Fort, Pony Express Station and overland stage stop located in Lyon County, Nevada just West… |
 Friday’s Station – Pony ExpressFriday's Station is Union Army Military Post and Pony Express Station located near Lake Tahoe, in Douglas County, Nevada. The two story building is originally… |
 Genoa Station – Pony ExpressOriginally part of the Utah Territory, Genoa is a former Pony Express Station and unincorporated community in Douglas County, Nevada. The settlement was first founded… |
 Miller’s Station – Pony ExpressMiller's station, also known as Reed's Station is a pony express station located in Churchill County, Nevada. Winchester Firearms adopted the image of a Pony… |
 Ragtown NevadaRagtown Nevada is ghost town and Nevada State Historical Marker number nineteen. The town and Nevada State Historic Marker are located in the Churchill County,… |
 Ruby Valley Stationn was started in 1859 as part of George Chorpenning's mail route. Later the station served the Pony Express and Overland Mail Company line in… |
 The Pony Express Trails and Stations In NevadaThe Pony Express operated for a very brief period of time from April 3, 1860, to October 26, 1861. The mail service allowed quick delivery… |
 Van Sickle’s Station – Pony ExpressThe Van Sickle's Station is the second Pony Express Station encountered when traveling east from Friday’s Station at the California/Nevada State Line. The Van Sickle… |
References
The Lucky Day Mine
The Lucky Day Mine is a gold and copper mine located in San Bernardino, California and once owned by Wyatt Earp. Wyatt Earp is probably to most infamous gun fighter and law man who worked all across the western United States including Alaska.
The Plank Road
The old plank road was unique solution to the common problem of sand dunes in the south west and the last link to connect San Diego, California with Yuma Arizona. The plank road was a 6.5 miles long road which was built from wooden planks and floated on the shift sands of the Algodones Sand Dunes.
Hedges California – Imperial County Ghost Town
Hedges, later renamed Tumco, is a ghost town in Imperial County, California, situated in the Cargo Muchacho Mountains at an elevation of 617 feet. Once a bustling gold mining town, its history reflects the broader narrative of late 19th and early 20th-century mining communities in the American Southwest, characterized by rapid growth, cultural diversity, and eventual decline due to economic shifts.
![[Circa 1905] Tumco Historic Mining Town, California - Hedges California](https://i0.wp.com/www.destination4x4.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Hedges.jpg?ssl=1)
Early Development and Mining Boom
The history of Hedges began in the late 19th century with the discovery of gold in the Cargo Muchacho Mountains. By 1894, the town, initially named Hedges after its founder, consisted of approximately two dozen unpainted wooden structures scattered in a narrow desert canyon near the Colorado River. The town was a hub for gold mining, with the Tumco Mine (originally called the Golden Cross Mine) serving as the economic backbone. By 1905, Hedges had grown significantly, boasting a population of around 500 residents, with as many as 3,000 in the surrounding mining district. The town supported essential community amenities, including a school, a church, two cemeteries, a library, and various businesses, reflecting its temporary prosperity.
Cultural and Architectural Significance
Hedges was notable for its diverse population, particularly the significant role of Hispanic pioneers and prospectors, whose contributions to the region’s mining history are often underrepresented. The town’s architecture blended Mexican and American folk traditions, with simple wooden structures adapted to the harsh desert environment. These buildings, often unpainted due to the arid climate and resource scarcity, were practical yet reflected the cultural influences of the miners who settled there.
Decline and Transformation to a Ghost Town
The prosperity of Hedges was short-lived. By the early 20th century, the gold deposits in the Cargo Muchacho Mountains began to deplete, and the high costs of operating in such a remote desert location led to the decline of mining activities. By the 1910s, the town was largely abandoned, earning its status as a ghost town. The name changed to Tumco (an acronym for The United Mines Company) during later attempts to revive mining operations, but these efforts were unsuccessful in restoring the town’s former vitality. Today, the site remains a historical landmark, with remnants of structures and mining equipment preserved as part of the Hedges/Tumco Historic Townsite.
Legacy and Modern Relevance
The history of Hedges/Tumco provides insight into the transient nature of mining towns in the American West. Its story highlights the economic boom-and-bust cycles driven by resource extraction and the cultural contributions of diverse communities, particularly Hispanic miners. The site is now a point of interest for historians, archaeologists, and visitors exploring California’s mining heritage. It stands as a testament to the resilience and adaptability of early settlers in the face of challenging environmental and economic conditions.
Conclusion
Hedges, California, encapsulates the rise and fall of a desert mining community. From its peak as a vibrant gold mining town to its current status as a ghost town, Hedges reflects the broader historical patterns of the American frontier. Its legacy endures through its historical significance and the physical remnants that continue to attract those interested in the rich history of Imperial County.
Town Summary
| Name | Hedges, California | |
| Alias | Gold Rock, Tumco | |
| Location | Imperial County, California | |
| Alias | Tumco – Hedges – Ogilby | |
| Latitude, Longitude | 32.8793891573, -114.837144612 | |
| GNIS | 243332 | |
| Elevation | 575 Feet | |
| Population | 3200 |
California Historical Landmarks
NO. 182 TUMCO MINES – Pete Walters of Ogilby discovered the first gold vein at Gold Rock on January 6, 1884. From his Little Mary Claim began a gold camp which reached its peak development between 1893 and 1899 as Hedges, with 3,200 residents. Nearly closed, 1900-10, it was reopened as Tumco, 1910-13, and worked intermittently until 1941. Tumco has long been a California ghost town.
California Historical Landmarks