During the Era of Reconstruction, following the Civil War, word soon reached the young parish near what is now Ruston LA, that the Vicksburg , Shreveport and Pacific Railroad would begin to run across north Louisiana , linking the Deep South with the Wild Wild West. Robert E. Russ donated 640 acres to the town and this area was eventually known as Ruston (shorthand for Russ town). In 1883 commercial and residential lots were created and sold for $375 a piece; and soon the sawing of lumber and clacking of hammers could be heard throughout the area.