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Overview

The Ruby House was in operation in 1887, managed by M. McNamara. The hotel operated a bar and billiard hall "in connection" with the hotel. (See Ruby House advertisement, R.L. Polk and Company’s Mount Vernon, WA, City Directory, 1887, p. 89.)

Building History

Michael McNamara (born c. 12/1848 in Canada) established this two-story, wood-frame hotel on the main commercial street of Mount Vernon, WA, in about 1880. McNamara opened the business to house gold miners who crowded Mount Vernon during a brief gold rush on tributaries of the Upper Skagit River that occurred from about 1878 into the 1880s.

Building Notes

A saloon operated on the first floor's south side in 1890. A dining toom stood to the north of this. A kitchen and meat room was located to the east of the dining room, along with a wood shed. A sleeping room was situated on the first floor to the east of the saloon.

Demolition

The Ruby House Hotel was razed. The hotel was in operation in 1890, but it is not clear if it survived Mount Vernon's business district fire of 1891.

PCAD id: 24009