Editing Ruston, Louisiana

{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
<!-- See Template:Infobox settlement for additional fields and descriptions -->
| name                     = Ruston
| official_name            = 
| native_name              = Ville de Ruston de Louisiane
| native_name_lang         = <!-- ISO 639-2 code e.g. "fr" for French. If more than one, use {{lang}} instead -->
| other_name               = 
| named_for                = Robert Edwin Russ
| settlement_type          = [[List of municipalities in Louisiana|City]]
<!-- images, nickname, motto --->
| image_skyline            = Ruston, LA, City Hall IMG 3793.JPG
| imagesize                = 250px
| image_caption            = Ruston City Hall
| image_flag               = 
| image_seal               = 
| image_shield             = 
|nickname                 = Louisiana's College Town; The Peach City; Rus Vegas
| image_map                = File:Lincoln Parish Louisiana Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Ruston Highlighted.svg
| map_caption              = Location of Ruston in Lincoln Parish, Louisiana.
| pushpin_map              = Louisiana#USA
| subdivision_type         = Country
| subdivision_name         = {{flag|United States}}
| subdivision_type1        = State
| subdivision_name1        = {{flag|Louisiana}}
| subdivision_type2        = Parish
| subdivision_name2        = [[Lincoln Parish, Louisiana|Lincoln]]
<!-- established --------------->
| established_title        = <!-- Settled -->
| established_date         = 
| established_title1       = Incorporated
| established_date1        = {{Start date and age|1885|p=fy}}
| government_type          = [[Mayor–council government|Mayor-Council]]
| leader_party             = [[Republican Party (United States)|R]]
| leader_title             = Mayor
| leader_name              = Ronny Walker{{cn|date=March 2025}}
<!-- Area ------->
| unit_pref                = Imperial
|area_footnotes            = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{cite web|title=2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_22.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=March 20, 2022}}</ref>
| area_total_km2           = 55.05
| area_total_sq_mi         = 21.26
| area_land_km2            = 54.88
| area_land_sq_mi          = 21.19
| area_water_km2           = 0.18
| area_water_sq_mi         = 0.07
<!-- Population ----->
| population_footnotes     = 
| population_total         = 22166
| population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_density_km2   = 403.92
| population_density_sq_mi = 1046.16
| population_demonym       = Rustonian, Rustonite
<!-- General information -->
| timezone1                = [[Central Time Zone|CST]]
| utc_offset1              = -6
| timezone1_DST            = [[Central Daylight Time|CDT]]
| utc_offset1_DST          = -5
| elevation_footnotes      = <ref name=gnis/>
| elevation_ft             = 312
| coordinates              = {{coord|32|31|47|N|92|38|26|W|display=inline,title}}
<!-- Area/postal codes and others -->
| postal_code_type         = ZIP code
| postal_code              = 71270, 71272, 71273
| area_code_type           = 
| area_code                = 318
| blank_name_sec1          = Interstate
| blank_info_sec1          = [[File:I-20.svg|30px|link=Interstate 20]]
| blank1_name_sec1         = U.S.
| blank1_info_sec1         = [[File:US 80.svg|30px|link=U.S. Route 80]] [[File:US 167.svg|30px|link=U.S. Route 167]]
| blank2_name_sec1         = Louisiana
| blank2_info_sec1         = [[File:Louisiana 146.svg|30px|link=Louisiana Route 146]] [[File:Louisiana 150.svg|30px|link=Louisiana Route 150]] [[File:Louisiana 544.svg|30px|link=Louisiana Route 544]] [[File:Louisiana 818.svg|30px|link=Louisiana Route 818]] [[File:Louisiana 3012.svg|30px|link=Louisiana Route 3012]] [[File:Louisiana 3061.svg|30px|link=Louisiana Route 3061]]
<!-- blank fields (section 2) -->
|blank_name_sec2          = Parish Road
|blank1_name_sec2         = Airport
|blank1_info_sec2         = [[Ruston Regional Airport]]
<!-- website, footnotes -------->
| website                = {{URL|ruston.org}}
|blank_name              = [[Federal Information Processing Standards|FIPS code]]
|blank_info              = 22-66655
|blank1_name             = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info             = 2404660<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2404660}}</ref>
}}

'''Ruston''' is a small city in and the [[parish seat]] of [[Lincoln Parish, Louisiana]], United States.<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx|access-date=2011-06-07|title=Find a County|publisher=National Association of Counties}}</ref> The 2020 population was 22,166.<ref name=":0" /> Ruston is near the eastern border of the [[Ark-La-Tex]] region and is the home of [[Louisiana Tech University]]. Ruston is the principal city of the Ruston [[Lincoln Parish, Louisiana|micropolitan statistical area]], which includes all of Lincoln Parish.

== History ==
[[File:Louisiana - Ruston - NARA - 23940451 (cropped).jpg|thumb|right|Ruston in 1935]]
During the [[Reconstruction Era]] following the [[American Civil War|Civil War]], word soon reached the young [[List of parishes in Louisiana|parish]] near what is now Ruston, that the [[List of Louisiana railroads|Vicksburg, Shreveport, and Pacific Railroad]] would begin to run across north [[Louisiana]], linking the [[Deep South]] with the [[American Old West|West]] (the current operator is [[Canadian Pacific Kansas City]]). Robert Edwin Russ, the Lincoln Parish [[sheriff]] from 1877–1880, donated {{convert|640|acre|km2}} to the town and the area was eventually known as Ruston in his honor.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lahistory.org/site35.php|title=Robert E. Russ|publisher=lahistory.org|access-date=October 5, 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150202074651/http://www.lahistory.org/site35.php|archive-date=February 2, 2015}}</ref>

In 1883, commercial and residential lots were created and sold for $375 apiece; and soon the sawing of [[lumber]] and clacking of hammers could be heard throughout the area.

[[Vienna, Louisiana|Vienna]] was the parish seat of [[Lincoln Parish, Louisiana|Lincoln Parish]] from its creation in 1873 until 1884, when a parish-wide vote moved it to the new town of Ruston.<ref>{{cite news |title=A bill has passed both Houses... |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-ouachita-telegraph/147227851/ |access-date=12 May 2024 |work=The Ouachita Telegraph |date=15 February 1873 |pages=3}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=AN ACT Creating the parish of Lincoln, aud providing for the organization thereof |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/bossier-banner-progress/147228016/ |access-date=12 May 2024 |work=Bossier Banner-Progress |date=9 August 1873 |pages=1}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=The people of Lincoln parish... |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-donaldsonville-chief/147227639/ |access-date=12 May 2024 |work=The Donaldsonville Chief |date=25 October 1884 |pages=1}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=The people of Lincoln parish... |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-donaldsonville-chief/147227588/ |access-date=12 May 2024 |work=The Donaldsonville Chief |date=15 November 1884 |pages=1}}</ref>

As the town began to take shape, new churches, businesses, civic organizations and schools were being established. [[Cotton]] farming fueled the economy. In 1900 a second railroad, running north and south, was built through Ruston (the operator before the tracks were removed was [[Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad]]). This brought even more business and industry to the area and the population continued to provide a foundation for the local economy. By the time the U.S. entered World War I in 1917, Ruston was established as a center for learning, a place of civic pride, and as an area of economic prosperity throughout the region.{{Citation needed|date=May 2024}}

In 1938 Ruston received national attention when an African-American teenager named R.C. Williams was lynched in one of the most brutal attacks of its type in many years.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.rarenewspapers.com/view/573065|page=12|newspaper=The New York Times|title=NEGRO, 19, IS LYNCHED BY LOUISIANA MOB|date=14 October 1938|location=Ruston, LA}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news | url=http://www.oldmagazinearticles.com/article-summary/rc-williams-lynched-1938#.XXjs5S5KjIU |title = Lynching No. 3|newspaper=Pathfinder Magazine|date=29 October 1938|page=6|access-date=5 January 2021}}</ref> The 19 year old Williams was accused by a mob of vigilantes of killing a white man and assaulting a white woman, although it was later determined to be highly unlikely that Williams was guilty of these, or any other crimes.<ref>{{Cite journal | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6loEAAAAMBAJ |journal = The Crisis|date = January 1939|volume=46|number=1|issn=0011-1422|publisher=The Crisis Publishing Company, Inc.|page=9|title=Can the States Stop Lyncing?}}</ref>  The vigilantes captured Williams and after torturing him with red-hot pokers (castration was also suspected)<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.withoutsanctuary.org/pics_73.html | title=Picture 73|website=Without Sanctuary: Photographs and Postcards of Lynching in America|publisher=Twin Palms Publishers|last=Allen|first=James|access-date=5 January 2021}}</ref> and shooting him numerous times, he was hung from a tree.   Although a local sheriff tried to stop the mob, they then threatened the sheriff's life, and the lynching continued.  A grand jury of all white men later cleared all of the perpetrators of any wrongdoing.  The crime had a significant and long lasting impact on state and national politics, and can be directly related to the rise of segregationist demagoguery in the south.<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://citation.allacademic.com/meta/p_mla_apa_research_citation/1/2/6/3/2/p126321_index.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140319004900/http://citation.allacademic.com/meta/p_mla_apa_research_citation/1/2/6/3/2/p126321_index.html|archive-date=19 March 2014|access-date=5 January 2021|title=The Consequences of a Small Town Murder: The Lynching of W.C. Williams and Louisiana Politics|last=Gelpi|first=Paul|journal=Annual Meeting of the American Society of Criminology|date=16 December 2013|publisher=[[American Society of Criminology|ASC]]}}</ref>

Ruston grew steadily during the post-World War II years. The [[GI Bill of Rights]] sent war veterans to college, helped to fuel the local economy, brought growth to the two local universities, [[Louisiana Tech University]] and nearby [[historically black]] [[Grambling State University]], and new families moved into Lincoln Parish. By the middle 1960s, [[Interstate 20]] passed through the northern part of Ruston. This major interstate highway made Ruston more easily accessible, much as the railroad had done a century earlier. In the 1980s, the state of Louisiana economy declined as the [[oil industry]] went into a [[1980s oil glut|recession]].

Ruston, however, continued growing steadily because of the rapid expansion of Louisiana Tech. The city also had its [[centennial]] celebration during this decade, and emphasis was placed on revitalizing the historic downtown district. A joint effort between the city and the Louisiana Main Street Program and the Louisiana Department of Historic Preservation brought forth  [[beautification]] projects to rehabilitate the downtown district, and helped draw the community closer to its roots. More than fifteen buildings have been placed on the [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Lincoln Parish, Louisiana|National Register of Historic Places]].

The city has a new general aviation [[airport]] to serve existing business and industry, and the [[timber]], [[poultry]] and [[cattle]] industries continue to expand.

The Arkansas Southern Railroad Company (ASRR), that became the [[Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway]] (CRI&P), built a station named Chautauqua, north of Ruston that became part of the town.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-jZJDwAAQBAJ&q=Historic+Alexandria%2C+Junction+City+%26+Shreveport+Railroad&pg=PA236|title=The Grand Western Railroad Game: The History of the Chicago, Rock Island, & Pacific Railroads: Volume I: The Empire Years: 1850 Up to the Great War|last= Farnsworth|first=Robert S.|page=236|publisher=Dorrance Publishing|date=Dec 11, 2017|access-date=2019-05-19 |isbn=9781480927070}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MSbUOTHeSWoC&q=Chautauqua+station+in+Ruston%2C+Louisiana&pg=PA28|title=Louisiana Place Names of Indian Origin: A Collection of Words|last= Read|first= William A.|page=28|access-date=2019-05-19 |isbn=9780817355050|date=2008-10-12|publisher=University of Alabama Press }}</ref>

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|18.2|sqmi|km2}}, of which {{convert|18.1|sqmi|km2}} is land and {{convert|0.1|sqmi|km2}} (0.44%) is water.

===Climate===
{{Weather box
 | width       = auto
 | collapsed   = yes
 | single line = yes
 | location    = Ruston, Louisiana ([[Louisiana Tech University]]) (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1895–2020)
 | Jan record high F  = 65
 | Feb record high F  = 88
 | Mar record high F  = 95
 | Apr record high F  = 96
 | May record high F  = 102
 | Jun record high F  = 107
 | Jul record high F  = 108
 | Aug record high F  = 109
 | Sep record high F  = 108
 | Oct record high F  = 100
 | Nov record high F  = 95
 | Dec record high F  = 87
 | year record high F = 
 | Jan high F = 57.3
 | Feb high F = 61.1
 | Mar high F = 68.9
 | Apr high F = 76.4
 | May high F = 82.9
 | Jun high F = 89.4
 | Jul high F = 92.2
 | Aug high F = 92.6
 | Sep high F = 87.8
 | Oct high F = 78.1
 | Nov high F = 67.5
 | Dec high F = 58.3
 | year high F = 76.0
 | Jan mean F = 46.1
 | Feb mean F = 49.9
 | Mar mean F = 57.1
 | Apr mean F = 64.2
 | May mean F = 72.1
 | Jun mean F = 79.2
 | Jul mean F = 82.0
 | Aug mean F = 81.8
 | Sep mean F = 76.4
 | Oct mean F = 65.5
 | Nov mean F = 55.6
 | Dec mean F = 47.9
 | year mean F = 64.8
 | Jan low F = 35.0
 | Feb low F = 38.6
 | Mar low F = 45.2
 | Apr low F = 52.1
 | May low F = 61.3
 | Jun low F = 68.9
 | Jul low F = 71.8
 | Aug low F = 71.0
 | Sep low F = 65.0
 | Oct low F = 53.0
 | Nov low F = 43.8
 | Dec low F = 37.5
 | year low F = 53.6
 | Jan record low F  = -4
 | Feb record low F  = -3
 | Mar record low F  = 14
 | Apr record low F  = 28
 | May record low F  = 35
 | Jun record low F  = 46
 | Jul record low F  = 55
 | Aug record low F  = 49
 | Sep record low F  = 37
 | Oct record low F  = 25
 | Nov record low F  = 12
 | Dec record low F  = 0
 | year record low F = 
 | precipitation colour   = green
 | Jan precipitation inch = 5.55
 | Feb precipitation inch = 5.24
 | Mar precipitation inch = 5.38
 | Apr precipitation inch = 5.51
 | May precipitation inch = 4.35
 | Jun precipitation inch = 3.85
 | Jul precipitation inch = 3.61
 | Aug precipitation inch = 3.81
 | Sep precipitation inch = 3.80
 | Oct precipitation inch = 4.79
 | Nov precipitation inch = 4.27
 | Dec precipitation inch = 5.45
 | year precipitation inch = 55.61
 | unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
 | Jan precipitation days  = 10.7
 | Feb precipitation days  = 9.6
 | Mar precipitation days  = 9.8
 | Apr precipitation days  = 7.7
 | May precipitation days  = 8.3
 | Jun precipitation days  = 8.5
 | Jul precipitation days  = 8.7
 | Aug precipitation days  = 7.9
 | Sep precipitation days  = 6.8
 | Oct precipitation days  = 8.0
 | Nov precipitation days  = 8.6
 | Dec precipitation days  = 10.0
 | year precipitation days = 104.6
 | Jan snow inch = 0.2
 | Feb snow inch = 0.2
 | Mar snow inch = 0.0
 | Apr snow inch = 0.0
 | May snow inch = 0.0
 | Jun snow inch = 0.0
 | Jul snow inch = 0.0
 | Aug snow inch = 0.0
 | Sep snow inch = 0.0
 | Oct snow inch = 0.0
 | Nov snow inch = 0.0
 | Dec snow inch = 0.0
 | year snow inch = 0.4
 | unit snow days = 0.1 in
 | Jan snow days  = 0.0
 | Feb snow days  = 0.1
 | Mar snow days  = 0.0
 | Apr snow days  = 0.0
 | May snow days  = 0.0
 | Jun snow days  = 0.0
 | Jul snow days  = 0.0
 | Aug snow days  = 0.0
 | Sep snow days  = 0.0
 | Oct snow days  = 0.0
 | Nov snow days  = 0.0
 | Dec snow days  = 0.1
 | year snow days = 0.2
 | source = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|NOAA]]<ref name="NOWData">{{cite web
|url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/Climate?wfo=shv
|title = NOWData - NOAA Online Weather Data
|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
|access-date = November 2, 2023}}</ref><ref name="NCEI">{{cite web
|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USC00168067&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL
|title = Summary of Monthly Normals 1991-2020
|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
|access-date = November 2, 2023}}</ref>
}}

== Demographics ==

{{US Census population
|1890= 767
|1900= 1324
|1910= 3377
|1920= 3389
|1930= 4400
|1940= 7107
|1950= 10372
|1960= 13991
|1970= 17365
|1980= 20585
|1990= 20027
|2000= 20546
|2010= 21859
|2020= 22166
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref>
}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right"
|+Ruston racial composition as of 2020<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Explore Census Data|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=1600000US2266655&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|access-date=2021-12-29|website=data.census.gov}}</ref>
!scope="col"| Race
!scope="col"| Number
!scope="col"| Percentage
|-
!scope="row"| [[White (U.S. Census)|White]] (non-Hispanic)
| 11,201
| 50.53%
|-
!scope="row"| [[African American (U.S. Census)|Black or African American]] (non-Hispanic)
| 8,867
| 40.0%
|-
!scope="row"| [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]]
| 86
| 0.39%
|-
!scope="row"| [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]]
| 551
| 2.49%
|-
!scope="row"| [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]]
| 5
| 0.02%
|-
!scope="row"| [[Race (United States Census)|Other/Mixed]]
| 693
| 3.13%
|-
!scope="row"| [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]]
| 763
| 3.44%
|}
According to the [[2020 United States census]], there were 22,166 people, 7,970 households, and 3,938 families residing in the city.<ref name=":0" /> In 2010, there were 21,859 people in the city; according to the census of 2000,  there were 20,546 people, 7,621 households, and 4,244 families residing in the city with a population density of 1,136.4 people per square mile (438.8/km{{sup|2}}).<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2008-01-31|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref>

In 2000, the racial makeup of the city was 56.94% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 38.92% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.17% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 2.41% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.02% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.63% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 0.90% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 1.29% of the population. By 2020, the racial makeup of the city was 50.53% non-Hispanic white, 40% African American, 0.39% Native American, 2.49% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 3.13% two or more races, and 3.44% Hispanic or Latino of any race.

According to the [[2000 United States census|2000 census]], the median income for a household in the city was $23,001, and the median income for a family was $37,394. Males had a median income of $33,408 versus $20,413 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $14,573. About 22.1% of families and 32.1% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 34.1% of those under age 18 and 17.6% of those age 65 or over. At the publication of the 2020 census, the median household income grew to $34,554.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Explore Census Data |url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=Financial+Characteristics&g=1600000US2266655&tid=ACSST5Y2021.S2503 |access-date=2022-12-30 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref>

== Arts and culture ==
[[File:Greenwood Cemetery, Ruston, LA IMG 3832.JPG|thumb|right|Greenwood Cemetery in Ruston has graves from the [[American Civil War]] era.  Notable interments include [[Robert Edwin Russ]], founder of Ruston, and publisher [[Clarence Faulk]].]]
[[File:Historic fire station, Ruston, LA IMG 3790.JPG|thumb|right|Restored historic fire station in downtown Ruston]]
[[File:Dixie Theater in Ruston, LA IMG 3778.JPG|thumb|right|Dixie Theater in downtown Ruston]]
[[File:Revised, Ruston, LA water tower IMG 5646.JPG|thumb|right|Ruston water tower off [[Interstate 20]]]]
[[File:Ruston, LA, Civic Center IMG 3797.JPG|thumb|right|Ruston Civic Center]]

Most cultural activities are offered through Louisiana Tech. Also there are shops downtown, chain restaurants in the city, and an eight-screen Celebrity Theater. Other university-based opportunities exist at [[Grambling, Louisiana|Grambling]] (6 miles from Ruston) and [[Monroe, Louisiana|Monroe]] (35 miles away). The [[Louisiana Tech University Arboretum]] interests many visitors.
 
Early in 2007, the city initiated a blueprint for future growth and development of the Ruston area. Known as "Ruston 21", the plan will evaluate the assets of the community and the ways to achieve goals. It will look citywide at residential development and neighborhoods, recreation planning, transportation issues, economic development, infrastructure concerns, quality of life, and working collaboratively with Louisiana Tech University.

Opened in 1928, the historic [[Dixie Center for the Arts|Dixie Theater]] serves as the visual and performing arts hub of Ruston as it houses the North Central Louisiana Arts Council, Piney Hills Gallery, Ruston Community Theatre, Ruston Civic Symphony Society, Troupe Dixie, independent film screenings, dance recitals, and music concerts.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://dixiecenter.org/about-us/ |title=History (About Us) |access-date=2017-04-27 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170427194216/http://dixiecenter.org/about-us/ |archive-date=2017-04-27 |website=Dixie Center for the Arts}}</ref> Celebrity Theatres, an eight-screen movie theater with digital projection and sound with 3D capabilities and stadium seating in all auditoriums, opened in Ruston in 2006.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/43305 |title = Ruston 8 in Ruston, LA - Cinema Treasures}}</ref> On campus at Louisiana Tech, Howard Auditorium and Stone Theatre serve as the university's home for the performing arts, and Louisiana Tech is home to two visual art galleries including the [[E. J. Bellocq]] Gallery and the Louisiana Tech Art Gallery.

The Louisiana Military Museum features uniforms, weapons, flags, training gear, aircraft, and vehicles from nearly every conflict in United States history.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.sos.la.gov/HistoricalResources/VisitMuseums/LouisianaMilitaryMuseum/Pages/default.aspx |title=Louisiana Military Museum |access-date=2018-12-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170427192403/http://www.sos.la.gov/HistoricalResources/VisitMuseums/LouisianaMilitaryMuseum/Pages/default.aspx |archive-date=2017-04-27 |url-status=dead |website=LA Secretary of State - Historical Resources}}</ref> Built in 1886, the Kidd-Davis house is home to the Lincoln Parish Museum, which exhibits early Ruston history.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lincolnparishmuseum.org/collection/ |title=Collection |access-date=2017-04-26 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170426195516/http://www.lincolnparishmuseum.org/collection |archive-date=2017-04-26 |website=The Lincoln Parish Museum & Historical Society}}</ref> Located on Louisiana Tech's main campus, The Idea Place Math and Science Discovery Center offers many interactive science exhibits including a planetarium.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.latech.edu/ideaplace/cms/about|title=About Tech|access-date=5 January 2021|website=Louisiana Tech University}}</ref>

Ruston is located in the heart of [[North Louisiana]], known as the Sportsman's Paradise, where outdoor activities like hunting and fishing are popular for residents. Located on the Louisiana Tech campus, [[Garland Gregory]] Hideaway Park has a seven-acre lake for fishing and canoeing, walking/running trails, pavilions, grills, ropes course, and an 18-hole frisbee golf course.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rustonlincoln.com/garland-gregory-hideaway-park |title=Garland Gregory Hideaway Park |access-date=2017-04-27 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170427195120/http://www.rustonlincoln.com/garland-gregory-hideaway-park |archive-date=2017-04-27 |website=Ruston Lincoln Parish CVB}}</ref> The North Louisiana Exhibition Center hosts rodeos, barrel races, horse and livestock shows, roping events, and antique car and tractor shows in Ruston.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://nlec.lincolnparish.org/ |title=North Louisiana Exhibition Center |access-date=2017-04-26 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817080149/http://nlec.lincolnparish.org/ |archive-date=2016-08-17 |website= Lincoln Parish}}</ref>

As home to the [[Louisiana Tech Bulldogs and Lady Techsters]] of [[Conference USA]], Ruston is a scene of major college sports. The [[Louisiana Tech Bulldogs football]] team plays at [[Joe Aillet Stadium]] and has won three national championships, won 25 conference championships, and played in 24 postseason games including nine major college bowl games.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://issuu.com/latechsports/docs/16_fb_mg_issuu_final |title = 2016 Louisiana Tech Football Media Guide}}</ref> The [[Louisiana Tech Bulldogs basketball]] and [[Louisiana Tech Lady Techsters basketball]] teams play their games at the [[Thomas Assembly Center]]. The Dunkin' Dawgs have won 25 regular season conference championships, made seven NCAA Tournament appearances including one Sweet Sixteen, and nine NIT appearances.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://issuu.com/latechsports/docs/2016-17_mbb_mg_issuu |title = 2016-17 Louisiana Tech Men's Basketball Media Guide}}</ref> The Lady Techsters have won three national championships and 20 regular season conference championships; have competed in 13 Final Fours, 23 Sweet Sixteens, and 27 NCAA Tournaments; and have the second most wins all-time of any women's college basketball program.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://issuu.com/latechsports/docs/2016-17_wbb_mg_issuu |title = 2016-17 Louisiana Tech Women's Basketball Media Guide}}</ref> The [[Louisiana Tech Bulldogs baseball]] team plays at [[J. C. Love Field at Pat Patterson Park]], has won 21 regular season conference championships, and has participated in eight NCAA Tournaments.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://issuu.com/latechsports/docs/17_bsb_mg_issuu | title=2017 Louisiana Tech Baseball Media Guide}}</ref>

=== Peach Festival ===

Each June, Ruston hosts its annual Peach Festival, sponsored by the [[Squire Creek Country Club]].

Until the 1940s, most area peach farming had been done on a small-scale family basis. In 1947, area peach growers organized the Louisiana Fruit Growers Association and held the first festival four years later on June 27–28, 1951. On that occasion, [[Justin Wilson (chef)|Justin Wilson]], the popular south Louisiana chef and [[Cajun]] humorist entertained the audience at Howard Auditorium on the Louisiana Tech campus. Then [[Louisiana State Senate|State Senator]] [[Dudley J. LeBlanc]] of [[Abbeville, Louisiana|Abbeville]] in [[Vermilion Parish, Louisiana|Vermilion Parish]], the promoter of the [[patent medicine]] known as [[Hadacol]], was invited to crown the first Peach Festival Queen, Ann Colvin of [[Bernice, Louisiana|Bernice]] in [[Union Parish, Louisiana|Union Parish]].<ref name=peach>"62nd Peach Festival in Ruston June 22", ''The Piney Woods Journal'', June 2012, pp. 15, 17-18</ref>

The festival sponsors races of 5K and 1M and a tennis tournament played on the Louisiana Tech courts.<ref name=peach/>

=== Railroad Fest ===
Railroad Fest is an annual makers, music, and culture festival held in Downtown Ruston each April since 2017.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.rustonlincoln.com/blog/13/Railroad-Fest-A-Celebration-of-Makers-Music | title=Railroad Fest – A Celebration of Makers & Music}}</ref> The Makers Fair is held at the Historic Ruston Fire Station, and live music is performed at the amphitheater at Railroad Park.

== Education ==

=== Primary and secondary education ===

[[State school|Public schools]] are part of the [[Lincoln Parish School Board|Lincoln Parish School System]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.lincolnschools.org/about.html |title=LPSB Overvier |access-date=2017-04-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171228182424/http://www.lincolnschools.org/about.html |archive-date=2017-12-28 |url-status=dead|website= Lincoln Parish Schools }}</ref> Eight of the twelve Lincoln Parish Schools are located in Ruston. Lincoln Parish Early Childhood Center operates the parish's preschool program in Ruston. Glen View Elementary School and Hillcrest Elementary School teach kindergarten through the second grade. Cypress Springs Elementary School and Ruston Elementary School teach third grade through fifth grade. I. A. Lewis School teaches only sixth grade, and Ruston Junior High School teaches seventh and eighth grades. [[Ruston High School]] teaches ninth through twelfth grades.

Located on Louisiana Tech's campus in Ruston, [[A. E. Phillips Laboratory School]] offers kindergarten through eighth grade.

Ruston is home to a few private schools. [[Cedar Creek School]] and [[Bethel Christian School (Ruston, Louisiana)|Bethel Christian School]] are college preparatory schools that offer preschool through twelfth grade. [[New Living Word School]] also offers preschool through twelfth grade. Montessori School of Ruston offers preschool through eighth grade.

Lorraine Nobles Howard Education Center, known as Howard School, is an alternative school for the residents of the Louisiana Methodist Children's Home in Ruston.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.lmch.org/howard-school-ruston/ |title = Howard School &#124; LUMCFS &#124; Ruston, Louisiana &#124; Top Gains School}}</ref>

=== Higher education ===

[[Louisiana Tech University]], a national research university, dominates the city of Ruston, providing the city with its distinctive [[college town]] character. [[Grambling State University]] is located in nearby [[Grambling, Louisiana|Grambling]], only four miles west of the Louisiana Tech campus. Additionally, [[Louisiana Delta Community College]] has a branch campus located in Ruston.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.ladelta.edu/campus-locations/ruston |title=Ruston |access-date=2018-12-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170509225514/http://www.ladelta.edu:80/campus-locations/ruston |archive-date=2017-05-09 |url-status=dead |website=Louisiana Delta Community College}}</ref>

== Media ==

''[[Ruston Daily Leader|The Ruston Daily Leader]]'' is the newspaper serving Ruston and the rest of Lincoln Parish since 1894. ''The Daily Leader'' is published Sunday morning and Monday through Friday afternoons. [[Louisiana Tech University]] is served by several publications including ''[[The Tech Talk]]'', the independent Louisiana Tech [[student newspaper]] that reports on local, state, and national issues in addition to campus news.

=== Radio ===

Ruston is the principal city of the Ruston media market for radio.

{{Ruston Radio}}

=== Television ===

Ruston is part of the Monroe media market for television.

{{Monroe TV}}

== Infrastructure ==

=== National Guard ===

The 527th Engineer Battalion (Triple Alpha) ("Anything, Anytime, Anywhere") is headquartered in Ruston. This battalion is part of the [[225th Engineer Brigade]] of the [[Louisiana National Guard]].

=== Health care ===

* Green Clinic
* Northern Louisiana Medical Center
* Ruston Regional Specialty Center

=== Law Enforcement ===

* Lincoln Parish Sheriff's Office
* [[Louisiana State Police]]
* Ruston Police Department

== Notable people ==
* [[Trace Adkins]], [[Country music|country]] singer who attended Louisiana Tech
* [[Leon Barmore]], Hall of Fame NCAA basketball coach, played basketball at Ruston High School
* [[Mary Black (activist)]], community activist and social worker
* [[George W. Bond]], president of Louisiana Tech University from 1929 to 1936
* [[Terry Bradshaw]], member of the [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]], attended Louisiana Tech
* [[Kix Brooks]], country music singer, who attended Louisiana Tech.
* [[P.J. Brown]], retired [[National Basketball Association|NBA]] player, attended Louisiana Tech
* [[George D. Busbee|Mary Elizabeth Talbot Busbee]], the First Lady of [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]] from 1975 to 1983, was born and reared in Ruston.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/atlanta/obituary.aspx?pid=156251515#fbLoggedOut|title=Mary Beth Busbee|work=[[Atlanta Journal-Constitution]], March 5, 2012|access-date=April 19, 2013}}</ref>
* [[John R. Conniff]], educator, president of Louisiana Tech from 1926 to 1928<ref>[[Henry E. Chambers]], ''A History of Louisiana'', Vol. 2 ([[Chicago]] and New York City: American Historical Society, 1925), pp. 53-54</ref>
* [[Martie Cordaro]], president and general manager of the Omaha Storm Chasers baseball club
* [[Fred Dean]], [[National Football League|NFL]] Hall of Famer, attended Ruston High
* [[Clarence Faulk]], newspaper publisher, radio broadcaster, businessman
* [[Tim Floyd]], NCAA and NBA basketball coach, attended Louisiana Tech
* [[Vic Frazier]], MLB pitcher during the 1930s
* [[W. C. Friley]], founder of Ruston College in the late 1880s, a forerunner of Louisiana Tech 
* [[Ralph Garr]], Baseball player and member of the Atlanta Braves Hall of Fame <ref name=sabrbio1>{{cite web |url=https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/ralph-garr/ |title=Ralph Garr |first1=Corey |last1=Stolzenbach |website=sabr.org |publisher=[[Society for American Baseball Research]] |access-date=3 March 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.mlb.com/braves/history/braves-hall-of-famers |title=Braves Hall of Fame |website=mlb.com |publisher=[[Major League Baseball]] |access-date=3 March 2021}}</ref>
* [[Andy Hamilton (American football)|Andy Hamilton]], NFL player
* [[Aaron Holiday]], NBA player for the [[Houston Rockets]]
* [[Will Cullen Hart]], indie rock musician, visual artist
* [[Sonja Hogg]], founding coach of the Louisiana Tech Lady Techsters
* [[Bert Jones]], former NFL quarterback, attended Ruston High School
* [[Dub Jones (American football)|Dub Jones]], former NFL halfback, attended Ruston High School
* [[Karl Malone]], Basketball Hall of Famer, attended Louisiana Tech
* [[Jeff Mangum]], indie rock musician, attended Ruston High School
* [[Monica Maxwell]], former WNBA player, played in two Final Fours for the Lady Techsters
* [[Luke McCown]], former NFL quarterback, attended Louisiana Tech
* [[Garnie W. McGinty]], Louisiana historian
* [[Alice Cary McKinney]], President, Louisiana State [[Woman's Christian Temperance Union]]
* [[Paul Millsap]], retired NBA player, attended Louisiana Tech
* [[Ryan Moats]], athlete, attended Louisiana Tech
* [[Kim Mulkey]], head women's basketball coach of [[LSU Tigers]]
* [[Virgil Orr]], former state representative; Louisiana Tech vice president
* [[Joe Raymond Peace]], former football coach of Louisiana Tech Bulldogs
* [[Arthur T. Prescott]], educator and president of Louisiana Tech University<ref>[[Henry E. Chambers]], ''A History of Louisiana'', Vol. 2 (Chicago and New York City: American Historical Society, 1925), pp. 313-314</ref>
* [[Patrick Ramsey]], former NFL quarterback, attended Ruston High School
* [[Willie Roaf]], NFL Hall of Fame player, attended Louisiana Tech
* [[Kramer Robertson]], current MLB player for [[St. Louis Cardinals]]
* [[Phil Robertson]], hunter and reality TV star who attended Louisiana Tech
* [[Scotty Robertson]], high school, college, and professional basketball coach
* [[W. C. Robinson (Louisiana educator)|W. C. Robinson]], mathematics professor and president of Louisiana Tech<ref>''Ruston Daily Leader'', October 11, 1933, p. 20</ref>
* [[Robert Schneider]], Indie rock musician, member of the [[Elephant Six Collective]]
* [[Josh Scobee]], current NFL player, attended Louisiana Tech
* [[John Simoneaux]], blues singer, songwriter, and guitarist, graduate of LA Tech<ref name="Johnny Jam in Ruston">{{cite web|last1=Mercer|first1=Alfred|title=Johnny Jam|url=http://www.thenewsstar.com/article/20130221/LIFESTYLE/302210305/|website=The NewsStar|publisher=thenewsstar.com|access-date=6 May 2015|ref=newsstar_john_atricle}}{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
* [[Mickey Slaughter]], former NFL quarterback and later coached for Louisiana Tech
* [[Polly Smith (photographer)|Polly Smith]], photographer
* [[George Stone (pitcher)|George Stone]], former National League pitcher
* [[Scotty Thurman]], former basketball player, attended Ruston High School
* [[A. L. Williams (American football)|A. L. Williams]], retired football coach
* [[Kyle Williams (defensive tackle)|Kyle Williams]], former NFL player, attended Ruston High School
* [[Clint Williamson]], US Ambassador and White House policy official
* [[John D. Winters]], historian of the [[American Civil War]]
* [[Kenny Wright]], former NFL defensive back 
* Prof Sister [[Natalia Zotov]], cosmologist specializing in [[gravity waves]]

==In popular culture==

* The longstanding Dixie Theater in Ruston is featured in a 1999 article in the publication ''[[North Louisiana History]]''.<ref>Erin Toler, "The Dixie Theater of Ruston", ''[[North Louisiana History]]'', Vol. 30, No. 1 (Winter 1999), pp. 3-15</ref>
*Social media personality [[Logan Paul]] acted as "mayor" of Ruston for two days for his online streaming show ''Logan Paul VS...''<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.thenewsstar.com/story/entertainment/2017/05/09/famous-vlogger-films-show-ruston/101428296/ |title = Famous vlogger films show in Ruston|website=News Star|last=Bolden|first=Bonnie|date=9 May 2017|access-date=5 January 2021}}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==

{{Sister project links 
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* [http://www.ruston.org/ City of Ruston]
* [http://rustonlincoln.com/ Ruston-Lincoln Convention And Visitors Bureau]

{{Geographic Location
| Centre    = Ruston
| North     = [[El Dorado, Arkansas|El Dorado]]
| Northeast = 
| East      = [[Monroe, Louisiana|Monroe]]
| Southeast = 
| South     = [[Alexandria, Louisiana|Alexandria]]/[[Pineville, Louisiana|Pineville]]
| Southwest = [[Natchitoches, Louisiana|Natchitoches]]
| West      = [[Shreveport, Louisiana|Shreveport]]/[[Bossier City, Louisiana|Bossier City]]
| Northwest = [[Texarkana metropolitan area|Texarkana, TX/AR]]
}}

{{Navboxes
| title = Articles related to Ruston
| list  = 
{{Lincoln Parish, Louisiana}}
{{Louisiana}}
{{Louisiana parish seats}}
}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Ruston, Louisiana| ]]
[[Category:Cities in Louisiana]]
[[Category:Cities in the Ark-La-Tex]]
[[Category:Cities in Lincoln Parish, Louisiana]]
[[Category:Parish seats in Louisiana]]
[[Category:Cities in Ruston micropolitan area]]
[[Category:County seats in the Ark-La-Tex]]
[[Category:1885 establishments in Louisiana]]