 Simpson established a trading post at the south end of Ruby Valley, and George Chorpenning built a way station there for his mail and stagecoach line in 1860.The Pony Express and its successor, the Transcontinental Telegraph, also ran through Overland Pass.In September 1862 the U.S. Government established Fort Ruby at the east entrance to the pass to protect the passage of settlers and these important communication connections with residents of California during the war years.