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| The Outhouses of Ruby, Arizona | |
| Ruby, Arizona is located in the mountainous area northwest of Nogales, quite near the Mexican border. It was a mining town, at its peak, home to several hundred people. Its mines produced a number of minerals of varying value, but its primary output was lead. When the mines became unprofitable, Ruby went "ghost" about 1941. Because Ruby has for decades been on private property and unavailable to the public, it has suffered few of the indignities of vandalism and theft. Now open to public access (by appointment and for a small fee), it provides a remarkable look back at life in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Mining equipment is still in place, there is furniture still in some of the buildings, and even items on kitchen shelves. Early electrical wiring remain in a few structures, which were served by a local generator, but no indoor plumbing is to be found. Entering Ruby on foot down the road on the right, this is the first structure encountered. It is still in use, and most welcome after twenty slow miles down the rough dirt road. TP located under the coffee can. | |
 An Outhouse just outside the Ruby, AZ School Photo by H. Wiberg |  First structure seen entering Ruby, AZ Photo by H. Wiberg |
| Ruby features a large white-sand beach formed from the tailing of the mines, bordering two large ponds. There is a barbeque, a cabana, and the classic above for your convenience. (Remember, this was a lead mine. Swim, anyone?) | |
| The school in Ruby was once large enough that it required the services of two teachers. This fine example below stands just outside. The two end doors access the outhouse (notice the vents on top) and the center room was used for ...? The two uprights in the foreground supported the basketball backboard. Yes, the rest of the court looks just like the rest of what you see. Must have been a passing game... This unique triangular outhouse shown below was left in a service yard, presumably waiting for a corner near an area of need. | |
 Sand from the mining surround this Beach Outhouse Photo by H. Wiberg |  A Unique Triangular Outhouse Photo by H. Wiberg |
| Apparently, someone in town was richer, lazier, and/or more modest than most. This oxymoronic indoor outhouse shown below is found in a private residence. The outhouse below right is seen through the remains of the Single-Miners' Quarters which it served is the contributor's personal favorite. The board at its right, holding it up, seems to be as old as the structure itself. Well, they were bachelors... Go to Ruby! There's so much more to see. | |
 An indoor Outhouse found in a home Photo by H. Wiberg |  The Single-Miners’ Quarters Outhouse Photo by H. Wiberg |
| What else can you see in the images shown? Many times a photo is worth a thousand words and I've only elaborated with a few so why don't you add some "color commentary" to my collection. If your addition is worthy, you will find the quote added on the Comments to the Curator page. | |
 Return to the Outhouse Tour by clicking HERE! Stamp here to "dump" mail to the official Outhouse Curator...   Return to my home page Return to the Top RECOMMEND THIS SITE TO A FRIEND! Copyright © 2003 | |
