RoadsideThoughts
A Gazetteer for the United States and Canada
Home >> State of Virginia >> Stafford County >> Ruby >> Tidbits & TriviaIndex...

Outdoor Activities ...

As we travel, we like to pursue some of our interests (such as astronomy and bird watching).

When in Ruby, we use the following websites to find information relevant to Ruby and the surrounding area.

  • Astronomy & Satellites ...
    • Whether using binoculars, a small telescope or the naked-eye, the Heavens-Above website can help you to find your way around the night-time sky. In addition to detailed sky charts, their website will help you find planets, asteriods, comets, satellites and their tracks across the sky.
    • To give accurate results, Heavens-Above requires the latitude and longitude of your location. As a starting point, when we link to Heavens-Above, we pass this GPS location for Ruby:
    • 38.504291, -77.515540
    • Once you're on the Heavens-Above website, you can improve its accuracy by giving a more precise longitude and latitude as your actual position.
    • Open the Heavens-Above website centered on Ruby
  • Bird Watching ...
    • We enjoy finding new spots for bird watching and we use the eBird website for local sighting reports and to help identify hotspots.
    • The eBird website is organized on a county-by-county basis. We have selected Stafford County as the starting point when you click on the link below:
    • Open the eBird sighting report for Stafford County
    • Since Ruby is near Fauquier County and also Prince William County, we have provided a link to their eBird sighting reports:
    • Open the eBird sighting report for Fauquier County
    • Open the eBird sighting report for Prince William County
  • Waymarking ...
    • Looking for somewhere out of the ordinary? Find a unique place and want to share it with others? Then it's time to visit Waymarking.com:
    • Open the Waymark.com report for Ruby

Communities Also Named Ruby ...

We found 32 communities that are also named Ruby.

Within Virginia, the name Ruby is unique.

Beyond Virginia, we know of 32 communities that are located in the United States and Canada. Of these 32 communities, 31 are located in the United States and one is in Canada.

  • Communities Elsewhere In North America ...
    • Alabama
      • Cullman County
      • We found mention of this community, but have little information.<1> For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Alabama community of Ruby [Cullman County].
      • Walker County
      • This community is historic<2> and we have very little information. For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Alabama community of Ruby [Walker County].
    • Alaska
      • This Ruby lies 3,504 miles [5,639.1 km]<3> to the north northwest of the Ruby that is located in Stafford County.
    • Arizona
      • Santa Cruz County
      • This community is historic<2> and we have very little information. For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Arizona community of Ruby [Santa Cruz County].
    • Colorado
      • Gunnison County
      • This Ruby is located in Gunnison County and lies 1,587 miles [2,554 km]<3> to the west of the Ruby that is located in Stafford County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Gunnison County community of Ruby.
      • Mesa County
      • This Ruby is located in Mesa County and lies 1,681 miles [2,705.3 km] to the west northwest of the Ruby that is located in Stafford County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Mesa County community of Ruby.
      • Pitkin County
      • This community is historic<2> and we have very little information. For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Colorado community of Ruby [Pitkin County].
    • Georgia
      • Irwin County
      • We found mention of this community, but have little information.<1> For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Georgia community of Ruby [Irwin County].
      • Jones County
      • We found mention of this community, but have little information. For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Georgia community of Ruby [Jones County].
    • Idaho
      • Cassia County
      • This Ruby is located in Cassia County and lies 1,911 miles [3,075.5 km]<3> to the west northwest of the Ruby that is located in Stafford County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Cassia County community of Ruby.
    • Illinois
      • Winnebago County
      • This Ruby is located in Winnebago County and lies 661 miles [1,063.8 km]<3> to the west northwest of the Ruby that is located in Stafford County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Winnebago County community of Ruby.
    • Kansas
      • Harper County
      • We found mention of this community, but have little information.<1> For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Kansas community of Ruby [Harper County].
      • Sedgwick County
      • We found mention of this community, but have little information. For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Kansas community of Ruby [Sedgwick County].
    • Kentucky
      • Bell County
      • We found mention of this community, but have little information.<1> For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Kentucky community of Ruby [Bell County].
    • Louisiana
      • Rapides Parish
      • This Ruby is located in Rapides Parish and lies 973 miles [1,565.9 km]<3> to the west southwest of the Ruby that is located in Stafford County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Rapides Parish community of Ruby.
    • Michigan
      • Saint Clair County
      • This Ruby is located in Saint Clair County and lies 411 miles [661.4 km]<3> to the northwest of the Ruby that is located in Stafford County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Saint Clair County community of Ruby.
    • Mississippi
      • Copiah County
      • This Ruby is located in Copiah County and lies 847 miles [1,363.1 km]<3> to the west southwest of the Ruby that is located in Stafford County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Copiah County community of Ruby.
      • Leflore County
      • This Ruby is located in Leflore County and lies 782 miles [1,258.5 km] to the west southwest of the Ruby that is located in Stafford County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Leflore County community of Ruby.
    • Montana
      • Madison County
      • This Ruby is located in Madison County and lies 1,822 miles [2,932.2 km]<3> to the west northwest of the Ruby that is located in Stafford County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Madison County community of Ruby.
    • Nebraska
      • Seward County
      • This Ruby is located in Seward County and lies 1,049 miles [1,688.2 km]<3> to the west northwest of the Ruby that is located in Stafford County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Seward County community of Ruby.
    • Nevada
      • Elko County
      • This Ruby is located in Elko County and lies 1,979 miles [3,184.9 km]<3> to the west northwest of the Ruby that is located in Stafford County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Elko County community of Ruby.
    • New York
      • Ulster County
      • This Ruby is located in Ulster County and lies 304 miles [489.2 km]<3> to the northeast of the Ruby that is located in Stafford County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Ulster County community of Ruby.
    • North Dakota
      • Nelson County
      • We found mention of this community, but have little information.<1> For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the North Dakota community of Ruby [Nelson County].
    • Ohio
      • Gallia County
      • This community is historic<2> and we have very little information. For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Ohio community of Ruby [Gallia County].
    • Ontario
      • This Ruby lies 485 miles [780.5 km]<3> to the north of the Ruby that is located in Stafford County.
    • Oregon
      • Multnomah County
      • This Ruby is located in Multnomah County and lies 2,324 miles [3,740.1 km]<3> to the west northwest of the Ruby that is located in Stafford County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Multnomah County community of Ruby.
    • South Carolina
      • Chesterfield County
      • This Ruby is located in Chesterfield County and lies 298 miles [479.6 km]<3> to the south southwest of the Ruby that is located in Stafford County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Chesterfield County community of Ruby.
    • Washington
      • Benton County
      • This Ruby is located in Benton County and lies 2,169 miles [3,490.7 km]<3> to the west northwest of the Ruby that is located in Stafford County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Benton County community of Ruby.
      • Okanogan County
      • This community is historic<2> and we have very little information. For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Washington community of Ruby [Okanogan County].
      • Pend Oreille County
      • This Ruby is located in Pend Oreille County and lies 2,081 miles [3,349 km] to the west northwest of the Ruby that is located in Stafford County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Pend Oreille County community of Ruby.
      • Whatcom County
      • This community is historic and we have very little information. For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Washington community of Ruby [Whatcom County].
    • Wisconsin
      • Chippewa County
      • This Ruby is located in Chippewa County and lies 830 miles [1,335.8 km]<3> to the northwest of the Ruby that is located in Stafford County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Chippewa County community of Ruby.

Curious and Interesting Names Near Ruby ...

As we travel, we always see a community with a name that gives pause. While there are names which are interesting or familiar, some catch our attention or strike our fancy. We always wonder about such a name. If time permits and the community is not too far, we'll usually try to make a side-trip.

  • Apple Grove
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the southeast)
    • Apple Grove is located in Stafford County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Apple Grove
  • Eagles Nest
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the west)
    • Eagles Nest is located in Stafford County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Eagles Nest
  • Hunters Pond
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the south)
    • Hunters Pond is located in Stafford County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hunters Pond
  • Ivyglen
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the south)
    • Ivyglen is located in Stafford County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ivyglen
  • Kings Crest
    (Less than 2 miles to the southeast)
    • Kings Crest is located in Stafford County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Kings Crest
  • Lake Arrowhead
    (Less than 2 miles to the west)
    • Lake Arrowhead is located in Stafford County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lake Arrowhead
  • Old Homestead
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the southeast)
    • Old Homestead is located in Stafford County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Old Homestead
  • Red Hill
    (Less than 2 miles to the southwest)
    • Red Hill is located in Stafford County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Red Hill
  • Rolling Hills
    (Less than 2 miles to the west)
    • Rolling Hills is located in Stafford County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rolling Hills
  • Rosedale
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the southwest)
    • Rosedale is located in Stafford County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rosedale
  • Roseville
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the south)
    • Roseville is located in Stafford County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Roseville
  • Roseville Heights
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the south)
    • Roseville Heights is located in Stafford County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Roseville Heights
  • Continue List   (4 more) ...
    • Seven Lakes
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the south)
      • Seven Lakes is located in Stafford County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Seven Lakes
    • Skidmore Corner
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the south)
      • Skidmore Corner is located in Stafford County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Skidmore Corner
    • Skywoods
      (Less than 2 miles to the southeast)
      • Skywoods is located in Stafford County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Skywoods
    • Walnut Ridge
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the west)
      • Walnut Ridge is located in Stafford County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Walnut Ridge

How Far From Ruby to ...

We spend a lot of time looking through Gazetteers, Almanacs & Directories that were published in the late 1800's and early 1900's. Many of the Gazetteers include the distance from a community such as Ruby to various places of note, such as the White House.

With a nod to our favorite Gazetteers, the straight-line distance beginning in Ruby and extending to:

  • Stafford, which is the Seat of Stafford County, lies just to the Southeast.
  • Richmond, which is the State Capital of Virginia, lies 66 miles [106.2 km]<3> to the south (S). If you could walk a straight line from Ruby to Richmond, with an average speed<4> of 2.2 miles [3.5 km] per hour, it would take three full days to make the trip. A horse and buggy averaging 3.2 miles [5.1 km] per hour would take about three full days.
  • The White House (Washington, DC) is 37 miles [59.5 km] to the northeast (NE). Driving, with an average speed of 63 miles [101.4 km] per hour, would take less than an hour, a buggy would take just about two full days and walking would take over two days.
  • The shortest distance<5> to Jerusalem (specifically the Temple Mount and the Dome of the Rock) is 5,934 miles [9,549.8 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<6>
  • The distance to the Great Mosque of Mecca (specifically the Ka'bah - or Kaaba ) is 6,639 miles [10,684.4 km] and it lies to the east northeast (ENE).<7>
  • The distance to Saint Peter's Basilica (The Vatican) is 4,516 miles [7,267.8 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<8>'

Footnotes ...

<1>If we encounter the name of what might be a community, our methodology is to add that name to our Gazetteer as a placeholder. As we find more information about that community, it will be added to our Gazetteer.

Just as a reminder: Our definition of a community is rather broad and includes those places (or areas) where several families lived and had a name which identified that place. For example, you might hear somebody say that they are going over to Mile's to see Pete ... Mile's is just a gas station and a couple of homes at the crossroads. While it might not be on the map, everybody in the area knows it by that name.

Places of interest include buildings at a crossroad, several families clustered in a hollow or maybe the location of a way station. It also includes places like mines, lumber camps, ferry crossings, etc. The community might still exist, is now gone or only existed for just a short period of time.

Also keep in mind that Ruby could have been on the original document by mistake, misspelled, the original/alternate name of a community that we've listed elsewhere or was placed in the wrong county. Sometimes a post office or train station would have a different name than the community where it's located, so two names might be referring to the same community - we're working to straighten it all out.
<2>We use the term 'Historic' broadly and it generally means that the community no longer exists. However, it can also mean that the community might still exist, but was significantly larger or had a more 'official' existence in the past than it does now. Unfortunately our sources of data have proven to be unreliable. If you can provide us with more specific information about Ruby, please let us know so that we can improve our accuracy.
<3>Our distances are not driving distances, but are calculated as a 'point-to-point' distance. A straight line distance ignores things like rivers, canyons, lakes, et cetera - it's truly a line from Point A (ie- Ruby) to Point B. In other words: 'As the crow flies'.
<4>While we have tried to pick reasonable speeds, the rate of travel is very theoretical - obstacles like fences, hills, lakes, river crossings and rest stops have been ignored. When we say 'Days' of travel, we're assuming 8 hours of travel per day.
<5>The shortest line can be visualized by stretching a string on a Globe from Point A to Point B - this is known as a Great Circle Route. Where you might expect the shortest route from Ruby to the Middle East to be East and South, the Great Circle Route actually lies to the North and East.Our distance measurements begin at a specific point in Ruby. The point we use is located at these GPS coordinates - Latitude: 38.5043, Longitude: -77.5155       In this case, the coordinates for Ruby have been provided by the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS).
<6>The calculated bearing (or angle) to Jerusalem is 308.195 degrees.
<7>The calculated bearing (or angle) to Mecca is 303.726 degrees.
<8>The calculated bearing (or angle) to the Vatican is 305.064 degrees.