Vicksburg, Shreveport and Pacific Depot

Vicksburg, Shreveport and Pacific Depot is a frame building which assumed it present appearance in 1900. It is located along the rail line in downtown Ruston.

The Depot is popularly believed to be the original depot constructed when the Vicksburg, Shreveport and Pacific Railroad came through the area in 1883. And indeed there are many details and artifacts that look as if they come from the 1880's. However, Sanborn maps portray a different story. And given that the maps give the impression that the roof is different and the actual building may have changed size, Circa 1900 was chosen as the beginning of this buildings historical significance.

The present 1900 frame remains intact but the current use of the building is now as a restaurant (Chris' Restaurant - Steak & Seafood). Naturally, this has resulted in numerous interior renovations away from its original purpose.

However you view the history of the building, the first original passenger Depot in Ruston was constructed in 1883 as tracks were laid from Monroe to Shreveport. The Depot also served as a Freight Depot for Vicksburg, Shreveport and Pacific Railroad Company. This railroad drew the population away form Vienna resulting in the town of Ruston.

As happened throughout the South, the railroad did much to bring development and prosperity to Louisiana after the Civil War. The first railroad to arrive in Ruston was the Vicksburg, Shreveport and Pacific (now the Illinois Central) in 1883. The founding of Ruston was a direct result of this east-west line's arrival. At first business boomed. Town lots sold quickly, and within a year Ruston had become the parish seat. After the first boom, economic growth continued at a slower rate, but the industrial development expected by city fathers did not materialize at that time. Instead it came during a second spurt of growth stimulated by the 1901 arrival of Ruston's second railroad, the Arkansas Southern (now the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific). This north south line made Ruston a railroad junction and contributed to the establishment of several new businesses. These included a cotton compress, an ice factory, a cottonseed old mill, a large stave factory and south of Ruston in Ansley, a lumber mill.

At one time Ruston contained a goodly number of railroad related resources, including a roundhouse, a railroad foundry, shops, six depots and several railroad hotels. However all but three of the many railroad related structures which once served Ruston have vanished. Those remaining include two depots and a railroad hotel.

The information for this site was provided by the Division of Historic Preservation, Louisiana. Without their assistance this page would not have been possible.

 

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