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A sign to define: new signs will instill Ruston’s identity

By John Larson

Tacoma Weekly
jlarson@tacomaweekly.com
Published on: July 03, 2008

The .3 square miles of land known as the Town of Ruston will be a little easier to distinguish soon with the help of some new signage.

The town, which is surrounded by Tacoma on three sides and Commencement Bay on the fourth, is often unnoticed by drivers as they head to the famous Point Defiance Park, or Vashon Island ferry dock.

To combat this, as well as acknowledge the town’s long-standing history, three new signs will adorn all entrances to Ruston.

Ruston celebrated its centennial in 2006, and the centennial committee decided to honor the 100 years of history.

The signs, which will be placed on North 49th Street at Pearl and Baltimore streets and at the entrance to the Ruston Tunnel, will welcome visitors and residents to the city upon arrival from any direction.

It will also inform them of aspects of the 102-year history of the town.

The design, which was sketched by Loren Cohen of Point Ruston development and refined by retired graphic artist and Ruston resident Sally Everding, includes Mount Rainier, the old Asarco smoke stack, sail boats and the Point Ruston Ferry.

“We felt we should have [a sign] that spoke to Ruston,” said Sherri Forch, centennial committee member and 35-year Ruston resident. “The smoke stack speaks to Ruston’s 100 years…it’s gone but it’s a very important part of our history.”

Ruston was established in 1906 by William Rust as a company town for his employees. The primary industry for decades was the Asarco copper smelting plant on the waterfront, and the smokestack was demolished in 1991.

Today, the city still holds onto its identity and independence even after its status as a company town has expired.

Forch believes the new signs will help identify Ruston as a separate community from Tacoma.

“When you drive down Pearl Street to go to Point Defiance – if you didn’t have a sign, you wouldn’t even know you had left Tacoma and entered another community,” she said.

“The signs will welcome people who enter our town. It makes them feel good to be welcomed, even if they are just passing through.”

The design for the signs is completed, and the next step is to actually get them made.

Forch expects the signs to be installed by September at the latest.

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