Welcome To KEY TO THE CITY's Page For
Rusk
Cherokee County, Texas
ZipCodes
75785
Page Contents for Rusk, Texas
History & History-related items
Chamber of Commerce.
Statistics & Facts
The Texas state capital is Austin.
The population of Rusk is approximately 5,085 (2000), 5551 (2010).
The approximate number of families is 1,486 (1990), 1380 (2010).
The amount of land area in Rusk is 17.312 sq. kilometers.
The amount of surface water is 0.059 sq kilometers.
The distance from Rusk to Washington DC is 1165 miles.
The distance to the Texas state capital is 186 miles. (as the crow flies)
Rusk is positioned 31.79 degrees north of the equator and 95.14 degrees west of the prime meridian.
Rusk elevation is 506 feet above sea level.
Rusk average annual precipitation is 46.1 inches peryear.
Rusk average temperature is 64 degrees F.
Location
in the Piney Woods area of eastern Texas, at the intersection of U.S. Highway 69 and U.S. Highway 84. Larger cities in the vicinity are Tyler, 35 miles north and Lufkin, 40 miles south.Return to Index
History & History Related Items
Rusk was named for a prominent early Texas, Thomas J. Rusk. He held many positions in government including judge, statesman, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and Major General of the Texas Republic. He was a lawyer who practiced locally. Rusk was named the county seat for Cherokee County when it was formed on 11 April 1846. Here is a good history page for Rusk, including a picture of the city's namesake.
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Attractions
Jim Hogg City Historical Park
This park of over 700 acres commemorates the birthplace of the first native born Texas Governor, James Stephen Hogg, who was born here in 1851. The park has picnic areas and a playground as well as a replica of Hogg's birthplace with a museum and the Hogg family cemetery. There are also hking trails throughout the wooded areas.
Phone: (903) 683-4850
The Texas State Railroad
An antique steam engine with vintage coaches wends its way 25.5 miles to Palestine. This is the nation's longest, skinniest state park. The train depot is located in the Rusk State Park.
Rusk State Park
This state park is located next to the railroad park. There are camping sites with full hookups as well as meeting pavilions. The park has 100 acres and a 15 acre lake.
Footbridge Park
The Rusk Footbridge, located here, is a replica of the original one built in 1861. The bridge is 546 feet long and located a block from Courthouse Square.
Old Rusk Penitentiary Building
This is the main administration building from the old Penitentiary which was turned in a state mental facility. The building was erected in 1878. The dome of the TExas State Capitol was made here by the prisoners.
Main Street City
Rusk was designated as an official Texas Main Street city in 1995 by the Texas Historical Commission.
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Rusk City Government
City of Rusk, TexasRusk Administrative Offices
408 N Main St
Rusk, TX 75785-1332
Phone: 903-683-2213
City Manager Email
Rusk has a Council/Manager form of government. The city council has six members, including an appointed Mayor.
COUNTY GOVERNMENT
Rusk is the County Seat for Cherokee County
Cherokee County Clerks Office
502 N Main St
Rusk, TX 75785-1343
Phone: 903-683-2350
STATE GOVERNMENT
Rusk State Hospital
Highway 69 N
Rusk, TX 75785
Phone: 903-683-3421
Rusk Historical Events
1866, Confederate Migration to TexasAfter the War Between the States, many disrupted Southerners moved westward into Texas, among them, Alfred Fox, one of 21 sons and daughters of Malachi Fox of Brandon, MS. Alfred Fox , a wounded Confederate veteran, was involved in the management of the Rusk State Penetentiary from approximately 1866 to his death around the turn of the century. His brothers George and Jessie also moved into Texas, as did Tom Fox (Grapeland) and William Leon Fox (Grapeland). The community of Reynard (Fox) is named for Tom Fox who was Postmaster of Grapeland.
Submitted by Clifford Gibbons Fox
Rusk Chamber
Rusk Chamber Of Commerce415 N Main St
Rusk, TX 75785-1331
Phone: 903-683-4242
Rusk Organizations
Rusk Chamber Of Commerce415 N Main St
Rusk, TX 75785-1331
Phone: 903-683-4242
Rusk Libraries
Singletary Memorial Library207 E 6th St
Rusk, TX 75785-1103
Phone: 903-683-5916
Hours:
Monday & Thursday - 12 noon - 7 pm
Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday - 12 noon - 5 pm
Rusk Schools
Rusk School District Supt203 E 7th St
Rusk, TX 75785-1121
Phone: 903-683-5592
Cherokee County Christian School
204 Henderson St
Rusk, TX 75785-1314
Phone: 903-683-4375 Rusk
Miscellany
The population of Rusk was:1990 - 4,366
2000 - 5,085
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