2017 EDITION RUSTON - LINCOLN USA COMMUNITY & RELOCATION GUIDE 2111 North Trenton Street • Ruston, LA 71270 • www.rustonlincoln.org Less waiting for emergency care (and a lot more care, if you need it). In a medical emergency, every minute matters. So, at Northern Louisiana Medical Center, you’ll find faster care in the emergency room. We work diligently to have you initially seen by a medical professional* in 30 minutes – or less. And, with a team of dedicated medical specialists, we can provide a lot more care, if you need it. The 30-Minutes-Or-Less E.R. Service Pledge – only at Northern Louisiana Medical Center. NorthernLouisianaMedicalCenter.com *Medical professionals may include physicians, physician assistants and nurse practitioners. 2 RUSTON-LINCOLN USA 2017 95336_NLMC_ERpldg_7_375x9_875c.indd 1 1/9/17 3:22 PM RUSTON-LINCOLN USA 2017 3 RUSTON - LINCOLN USA TABLE OF CONTENTS 5 Welcome to Our Community 8 Historic Ruston Quality of Life 15 Lifestyle Needs 2111 North Trenton Street • Ruston, LA • 71270 16 Area Attractions (318) 255-2031 • www.rustonlincoln.org www.RustonLincoln.org 18 Explore Lincoln 20 Outdoor Attractions 22 Ruston Parks @RustonChamber 26 Faith Based & Civic Organizations Special thanks to Payton Potter for cover design. 30 Education From front cover, Ruston coasters can be found 38 Healthcare exclusively at Fine Line Art Supply & Print Lab. Our Communities 43 Louisiana Peach Festival 48 Festivals & Other Annual Events www.LouisianaPeachFestival.org @LouisianaPeachFestival 56 Lincoln Parish Accolades @LaPeachFest 57 Lincoln Parish Nightlife Newcomer’s Guide 60 Ruston-Lincoln USA is published by Ruston Newspapers, Inc. Chamber of Commerce for the Ruston-Lincoln Chamber of Commerce. 64 YEA! (Young Entrepreneurs Academy) Publisher – Rick Hohlt 65 Leadership Lincoln Editor – Ivana Flowers Writer - Ivana Flowers 66 Adopt-A-School 68 Meet the Board Ruston Newspapers, Inc. 212 West Park Ave., Ruston, LA 71270 69 Membership Benefits rustonleader.com © Copyright 2017 by the Ruston-Lincoln Chamber of Commerce and Ruston Newspapers, Inc. 70 Shopper’s Guide & No part may be reproduced Business Directory without the written permission of the publisher. 4 RUSTON-LINCOLN USA 2017 Welcome to the Heart of North Louisiana! Yes, you have almost 6 miles across throughout the parish. industries, you’ve come discovered the “heart of Ruston while connecting Experience to see why Ruston has North Louisiana.” But neighborhoods, such vivacity in the been named one of the certainly you’ve found businesses, educational unique shopping and Most Charming Towns so much more. For institutions, and destination dining of of the South, or want here in Lincoln Parish recreational historic to see why Lincoln there is a heartbeat amenities. downtown Parish is listed among that has allowed this The first of Ruston. the top retirement historic yet progressive its kind in the Savor the locations--know that community to position region, the flavors of you are welcome itself as the hub of Greenway our Cajun here in the heart of the regional I-20 is designed neighbors North Louisiana. It corridor while earning to foster to the south is our sincere desire raves as the best a vibrant as well as that you truly feel the kept secret around. and active the distinctly pulse of this parish Perhaps it’s because culture, southern and experience the the pulse of Lincoln something specialties heartbeat of this great Parish resonates from that powers Cathi Cox-Boniol that flavor community, one of a something far deeper the pulse of Chamber Chair the traditions collected vision that than the expected the parish. of the area. is driven by humanity, veneer. Its uniqueness Within Engage in the kindness, and a true can’t be missed. So that active culture is a effervescent arts scene heart of service. For it pull up a chair and plan thriving college-town through festivals and is within that vision that to stay a while. You atmosphere driven by special events featuring we draw our hope for will experience why this nationally renowned, symphonies, bands, the future. Within that nugget of quintessential Tier 1 Louisiana theatre, and artist hope is a place for you Americana is known for Tech University as showdowns. Participate and others who have so much more than its well as Grambling in the local Farmer’s discovered all that lies signature peaches and State University, the Market, Fashion Show, beyond our signature pines. powerhouse historic or Maker’s Fair. Take peaches and pines. Explore the gorgeous African American a seat at a local café As Chairman of the landscape of rolling college. In addition, for unique coffees and Board of Directors for hills that frames the this education-focused exuberant conversation. the Ruston-Lincoln area. Breathe in parish features Buy a ticket for high Chamber of Commerce, the crisp, clean air. a thriving Delta energy sports. Join it is my distinct pleasure Drink in the sparkling Community College site, in the faith-based and privilege to invite water. True to its award-winning schools and service-oriented you to explore our Sportsman’s Paradise of every variety—public, alliances that permeate community. Here roots, Lincoln Parish private, laboratory, this community. Feel we not only cultivate offers recreational Montessori—the the pulse of this parish. a healthy business opportunities for every Louisiana School for When you do, you will environment, we age—parks and lakes, the Blind, and Howard realize that it is the cultivate an environment a nationally acclaimed School on the Methodist heart of Lincoln Parish that is healthy for golf course, mountain Children’s Home that sets it apart from all business. We believe bike trails, and the new campus. This focus on others. this is part of the pulse Rock Island Greenway, education drives high- So whether you that makes Lincoln a a shared-use walking, tech innovation at all are here to work pearl of a parish, one running, and bicycling levels while creating in our flourishing to be treasured for the path and linear park a synergistic vigor timber, natural gas, gem that it is. May you that will eventually run that feeds vibrancy or manufacturing feel that heartbeat too. RUSTON-LINCOLN USA 2017 5 Thrift Stores www.rollinghillsministries.com Making A Difference Clothing - Shoes - Furniture - Books - Odds & Ends Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation Center Serving three locations! Ruston Store Arcadia Store Bossier City Store Phone: 318-251-0065 Phone: 318-263-4822 Phone: 318-562-3880 3487 Highway 33 1820 North Railroad Ave. 2695 East Texas St. Monday - Friday Monday - Friday Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Saturday Saturday Saturday • Rehab and Recovery After Illness • Medicare Skilled Nursing Facility 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. • Short and Long-Term Care • Newly Remodeled Therapy Expansion • In-House Rehab COMING SOON Monroe Store, 5339 Desiard St. 1405 White Street • Ruston, LA • 318-255-4400 www.princetonplaceruston.com Outdoor Wilderness Learning Center Louisiana Methodist ChiLdren’s hoMe Our programs and events encourage teamwork and personal growth! Where The Adventure Is Worthwhile! The OWL Center is an 800 acre wilderness campus that offers recreational, educational and therapeutic opportunities. • Team building events • Wooden maze • Conferences/Retreats • Pavillion • Conference Center • Ropes Course (318) 255-5020 • Fishing and Canoeing • Weddings/Reunions Locally 904 DEVILLE LANE Call Us or Visit Our Website Available RUSTON, LA www.owlcenter.com WWW.LMCH.ORG 1523 HWY 563 | Dubach, LA 71235 | 318-777-3460 or 318-548-4247 6 RUSTON-LINCOLN USA 2017 RUSTON-LINCOLN USA 2017 7 When the Civil War ended in 1865, the South had suffered massive destruction. Individuals and families on both sides of the conflict had their lives changed forever. Historic Here in the piney hills of north central Louisiana, the war had kept its distance, the closest military action having taken place in the Red River Valley near Shreveport and along the Mississippi River at Vicksburg. With the countryside having been spared, the war’s aftermath would help chart a new course for the farmers and merchants who called this area home. As the Era of Reconstruction took hold, a new parish was carved from existing ones in 1873 and named after President Abraham Lincoln. Word soon reached the young parish that the Vicksburg, Shreveport and Pacific Railroad would begin to run across north Louisiana, linking the Deep South with Texas. For one individual, this brought to fruition a lifelong dream of having people live nearby whom he could call neighbors. Little did Robert E. Russ know that his dream for a new town to be located near his plantation would eventually become known as “Ruston,” short for Russ town. By 1884, Ruston was incorporated. Russ had donated roughly 640 acres for the town’s location, and former Union Army surveyors working for the railroad had laid out unusually wide, spacious avenues among the towering oaks and pines. As the town began to take shape, new churches, businesses, civic organizations and schools were established. The vast stands of virgin timber and the availability of fertile lands for cotton farming fueled the booming economy. In 1890, the Louisiana Chautauqua was chartered in Lincoln Parish and the community’s foundation in education was laid. Louisiana Tech, established in 1894, and Grambling State, founded in 1901, are the cornerstones upon which the area strongly stands over a century later. 8 RUSTON-LINCOLN USA 2017 now, a decade into the new century, new subdivisions are popping up everywhere, shopping areas on the north side of town are expanding at a rapid pace, and Historic Ruston opportunities for learning and recreation continue to expand.