Later by the following year of 1861, the American-based Overland Telegraph Company with its trans-continental line was constructed laboriously at the beginning of the crucial Civil War, using the new 1844 invention of the electric telegraph, and subsequently the first of four transcontinental railroad lines in 1869.

The military post was operated 1862 to 1869,[3] in territory dominated by bands of the Western Shoshone natives.

To secure access and safe passage through this area, as well as to provide for construction of railroads and other needs, the U.S. government signed the Treaty of Ruby Valley in October 1863, with twelve chiefs of the Western Shoshone, who did not cede any territory.

Both of the lists being maintained by the National Park Service of the United States Department of the Interior.

Since then a joint archaeological venture to explore Fort Ruby's frontier legacy has been conducted by the U.S.