About Ruston

Vicksburg, Shreveport and Pacific Depot Line – now the Illinois Central

The founding of Ruston is indebted to the railroad industry perhaps more than any other. It was following the construction of the first railroad from Shreveport to Monroe in 1883 that the charming town of Ruston was born. Once the railroad was constructed and a depot built, a town began to form around the hub of activity. The passenger depot expanded to include freight depots as well, and become the Vicksburg, Shreveport and Pacific Depot Line (now the Illinois Central). The new development brought a surge in business, and with the town of Ruston growing, it soon became the seat for Lincoln Parish. The oldest depot building still standing in Ruston is dated circa 1900. After closing as a railroad depot, it later served the town as Chris’ Restaurant – Steak and Seafood, before closing in the 1990s. The hunter green frame still stands as a historic mark within view of downtown Railroad Park.   

 

Arkansas Southern Line – now the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific

 

The development of a north-south railroad in 1901 ignited a new flame of development for Ruston. Not only did the small city become a railroad junction – passengers could change their East/West direction for North/South – but it developed more businesses, including an ice factory, a cottonseed mill, a cotton compress, and a lumber mill. At the peak of its success, the young Ruston had six depots, an array of shops, several railroad hotels, and a railroad foundry.  

 

Three of the old depot buildings still stand today. Although Ruston is no longer used as a depot stop, train horns can be heard sounding throughout the downtown area when a freight train passes through, reminding locals of the rich history housed in those tracks.