1873History
Vienna was the parish seat of Lincoln Parish from its creation in 1873 until 1884, when a parish-wide vote moved it to the new town of Ruston.
1877History
Robert Edwin Russ, the Lincoln Parish sheriff from 1877–1880, donated 640 acres (2.6 km2) to the town and the area was eventually known as Ruston in his honor.
1883History
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.
1886Architecture
Built in 1886, the Kidd-Davis house is home to the Lincoln Parish Museum, which exhibits early Ruston history.
1894History
== Media ==
The Ruston Daily Leader is the newspaper serving Ruston and the rest of Lincoln Parish since 1894.
1900Architecture
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).
1917Military
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.
1929Education
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,...
1938History
In 1938 Ruston received national attention when an African-American teenager named R.C.
1947Culture
In 1947, area peach growers organized the Louisiana Fruit Growers Association and held the first festival four years later on June 27–28, 1951.
1975History
Brown, retired NBA player, attended Louisiana Tech
Mary Elizabeth Talbot Busbee, the First Lady of Georgia from 1975 to 1983, was born and reared in Ruston.
2000History
In 2000, the racial makeup of the city was 56.94% White, 38.92% African American, 0.17% Native American, 2.41% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.63% from other races, and 0.90% f...
2006Architecture
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.
2007History
Early in 2007, the city initiated a blueprint for future growth and development of the Ruston area.
2017Culture
=== Railroad Fest ===
Railroad Fest is an annual makers, music, and culture festival held in Downtown Ruston each April since 2017.
2020History
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, ...