In The News

Point Ruston is in the news again as the Tacoma Council votes to purchase the waterfront area. You can read the article here....

More discussion and map of the area to be purchased here....

Smelter Pride

It was a different world back in 1889. The Industrial Age was in its full glory, with the birth of cities and the frontier shrinking. Tacoma was still in its infancy in many ways, wanting to expand and become the largest city in the state. That effort is seen in the following Chamber of Commerce brochure touting the virtues of Tacoma, including this write up of the brand new smelter on the shores of Commencement Bay. Thank you to Lloyd Tepper for sharing these images. (click on the image to enlarge)

Save The Ruston Tunnel?

Someone has set up a Facebook page to garner support to save the Ruston tunnel. You can check it out here....

Getting The Word Out

The business district has passed out flyers and even taken out a Craigs List ad (here) to announce the community wide garage sale and Barkini Car Wash fund raiser this Saturday. Be sure to stop by the FuSe parking lot for great deals, a clean car and visit any business for maps of all the local yard sales happening around the area.

Tunnel Memories Video

UPDATE: Wednesday, July 13th: Here are links to a couple more tributes to the tunnel. I am amazed by the interest and how this piece of Ruston history has touched so many...

The Weekly Volcano posted this picture taken right before midnight on its last day here... (along with a comment from the photographer about being contacted several times by local police about what he was doing) and from Kevin Frietas, a well know local blogger here... that includes video of the wild honking that was going on most of the day yesterday.... Kevin has also posted some beautiful pictures of the tunnel in ice during the 2008 cold snap (here).
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Joe Barrentine from The News Tribune put together a video commemorating the Ruston tunnel. You can see it here...

Last Day To Drive The Tunnel

As The News Tribune notes in their extensive article today, Tuesday is the last day we will be able to drive through the Ruston tunnel. I expect we'll hear honking horns most of the day - a great way to say goodbye to the old structure...

You can read The News Tribune's story here.....

Ruston Kids Parade

We had another great parade last week on Independence Day - organized by the kids with only a week's notice. But the turn out was better than ever!

Everyone managed to show up with decorated bikes and pets, princesses, flute player and even an official float (aka wagon). Organizer Isabelle Davis passed out the traditional Krispy Kremes to hungry participants at the end to finish off another great event!

Kick Ball Wednesdays

One of our local leaders in organizing more fun for Ruston families. Kathryn Hedrick (wife of council member Jim Hedrick) has suggested everyone get together for kick ball at Rust Playfield every Wednesday through the summer. Details are listed in her email below. You can contact her with questions at kathryn_hedrick@comcast.net.
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Hello Rustonites!

Summer is here! Well, some days…so let’s get together for some good fun with neighbors!

Come on over to the Ruston Town Park on Wednesdays for a fun game of kickball!
We’ll start at 6PM and end around 7:30PM. This is a very informal gathering and meant to just be fun for all. Please feel free to invite others in town to join.

Also, with the closure of the tunnel approaching our business district needs extra love, so remember to support them! Our family tradition these days is to make sure we get to Don’s at least every Friday for the best milkshakes around– YUMMY! We encourage you to do the same!

Thanks all and hope to see you on Wednesday!

-Kathryn

Get Your Space Reserved Now!!!

Tunnel Party Planned

The town is looking for volunteers to put together a proper send off for the tunnel, which is scheduled to close permanently next Wednesday, July 13th. Folks are asked to call Town Hall at (253) 759-3544 or contact any of the council members listed in the left column here on the blog to volunteer. Let's see if we pull together a great celebration of our past and launch into our future!

4th of July Kids Parade In Ruston Is ON!!!

The annual kids parade in beautiful downtown Ruston will be held again this year. Everyone bring your kids with their decorated bikes, scooters, skateboards and pets to North 51st and Winnifred at 9:30 am on the 4th.

Winnifred Street will be closed from 51st to 54th for the parade. Even if you don't have children to join in the parade, come down, watch and cheer for all these great local kids. It's quite a feast for the eyes with all the snazzy decorations - and it gets your cuteness meter full just in time for the air show and fireworks!