By Wesley Harris
Q: The home of Robert E. Russ, Ruston’s founder, was on top of a hill. Later, the first Hillcrest School was built on the same site. Where was it?
A: The property is on the north side of the intersection of North Monroe Street and Lamar Avenue (directly behind the Trenton Street Verizon Wireless store).
Q: Before Ruston had a distribution system, water for downtown businesses was drawn from a well. Where was the well located?
A: In the street in front of what is now Ponchatoula’s and Sundown West.
Q: What is another name for U.S. Highway 80, the thoroughfare that extended from the east coast to the west coast through Ruston?
A: Highway 80 is the Dixie Overland Highway. It is the only highway to run from coast to coast, although much of it was abandoned with the construction of interstate highway system. Many military bases were located near the route, including the Louisiana sites of Selman Field, Camp Ruston, the Louisiana Army Ammunition Plant, and Barksdale Field.
Q: Where was Ruston’s first high school located?
A: Ruston High School was built in the block where City Hall now stands. When the new Ruston High School was constructed in 1939, the old building was used as a junior high school. It was torn down in the 1960s.
Q: What military operation was staged in Ruston and the surrounding area in 1955?
A: Massive military maneuvers named Operation Sagebrush were held in northwest Louisiana to test strategies to fight the Cold War. Military units were stationed at the airport and across the street at the Methodist Children’s Home. Many Ruston residents saw their first helicopter during these maneuvers.
Q: What was the original name of Louisiana Tech?
A: Tech was founded as Louisiana Industrial Institute in 1894. The name was changed to Louisiana Polytechnic Institute in 1921, although informally referred to as Louisiana Tech. In 1970, the name was officially changed to Louisiana Tech University.
