by Malcolm Butler
The City of Ruston earned a couple of recent accolades in the USA Today 10BEST Reader’s Choice Awards.
A nationwide vote over the past few weeks resulted in Ruston finishing No. 2 in the Best Historic Small Town category and No. 6 in the Best Small College Town.
For the Best Historic Small Town Award, the publication stated:
“Our editors and readers independently select what you see on USA TODAY 10BEST. When you buy through a link on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
“The United States has a fascinating history and exploring the places which most affected it is much more engaging than simply reading about it.
“These 10 historic small towns — nominated by an expert panel and voted as the best by readers — have small populations (fewer than 25,000 people) with big histories, making them fun and affordable ways to dive into our nation’s past.”
Ruston finished No. 2 behind only Granbury, Texas.
“Home to Louisiana Tech University and Grambling State University, Ruston epitomizes the typical college town filled with eclectic shops, unique eateries, vibrant culture, and plenty of entertainment in its 25-block historic downtown district. You can take a deeper dive into the town’s history at its museums, including Lincoln Parish Museum and North Louisiana Military Museum.” — USA Today
The rest of the top 10 included No. 3 Ludington, Michigan; No. 4 Abilene, Kansas; No. 5 Mackinac Island, Michigan; No. 6 Shepherdstown, West Virginia; No. 7 Seneca Falls, New York; No. 8 Worthington, Ohio; No. 9 Newport, Kentucky; and No. 10 New Castle, Delaware.
In the competition for the Best Small College Town, the publication stated:
“Our editors and readers independently select what you see on USA TODAY 10BEST. When you buy through a link on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
“Nominated by an expert panel and voted by readers as the best in the country, these 10 small college towns — with populations of 50,000 or less — have fun, youthful vibes, unexpected dining and shopping options, and plenty of cultural offerings. Throw in a beautiful campus and some regional surprises, and you have a recipe for a great vacation.”
The top 10 results included No. 1 State College, Pennsylvania; No. 2 Blacksburg, Virginia; No. 3 Murray, Kentucky; No. 4 Oxford, Mississippi; No. 5 Cape Girardeau, Missouri; No. 6 Ruston; No. 7 Jacksonville, Alabama; No. 8 Clemson, South Carolina; No. 9 Charlottesville, Virginia; and No. 10 Burlington, Vermont.
“Ruston is a special kind of college town, one with two colleges within 10 minutes of the center of town. Louisiana Tech University was founded in 1894 and Grambling State University followed in 1901. The latter is known as a leading HBCU renowned for its computer science program and football team, the Tigers.
“Both universities have sports teams that are celebrated at the restaurants, pubs, and local shops and attractions dotting the historic 25-block downtown. Students and residents alike flock to Ruston’s festivals — spring brings the Downtown Beer Crawl, summer brings the Peach Festival, and Juneteenth Celebrations draw huge crowds too.” — USA Today
