Day Tripping: Rusk, Texas
A couple weeks back, I passed through Rusk, Texas and an orange door caught my eye. Most people around the area associate Rusk with two things: railroad tours (Like the Polar Express ride) and the old insane asylum.
Rusk State Hospital opened as a medical facility for African Americans with mental illness in 1919 and locals have their own variations of stories about the place. My grandmother worked there when she was younger.
The railway in Rusk began being laid in 1881 by prisoners and today you can take a 50-mile roundtrip to experience East Texas scenery and a bit of history.
But aside from the hospital and railroad, I hadn't ever stopped and looked around. So when an orange coffeehouse door caught my eye, inviting me to, "Come back and stop in some time, y'all!" as quaint southern stops do, I decided to make another trip to check it out. It was worth it.
This little joint had a sitting area with comfy couches, a nice window seat with two barstools, and a fun menu. The cookies were as big as your face and everything was moderately priced. Definitely a good place to stop and check out.
Footbridge Park. Just down the road from The Daily Grind, this place caught our eye. We walked the 546-foot footbridge and took a few pics at the park. The bridge once allowed travel across the creek that runs beneath. The park itself is definitely a nice picnic spot or place for taking pictures.
Rusk State Hospital opened as a medical facility for African Americans with mental illness in 1919 and locals have their own variations of stories about the place. My grandmother worked there when she was younger.
The railway in Rusk began being laid in 1881 by prisoners and today you can take a 50-mile roundtrip to experience East Texas scenery and a bit of history.
But aside from the hospital and railroad, I hadn't ever stopped and looked around. So when an orange coffeehouse door caught my eye, inviting me to, "Come back and stop in some time, y'all!" as quaint southern stops do, I decided to make another trip to check it out. It was worth it.
Our first stop was The Daily Grind, a quaint coffee shop on the square.
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| Lavender Lemonade-so good! |
This little joint had a sitting area with comfy couches, a nice window seat with two barstools, and a fun menu. The cookies were as big as your face and everything was moderately priced. Definitely a good place to stop and check out.
Footbridge Park. Just down the road from The Daily Grind, this place caught our eye. We walked the 546-foot footbridge and took a few pics at the park. The bridge once allowed travel across the creek that runs beneath. The park itself is definitely a nice picnic spot or place for taking pictures.
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| credit: my daughter, Lexi |
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| Credit: my daughter, Lexi |
There are lots of historical markers to be found around the area.
- The town was established on April 11, 1846.
- It was named after Thomas Jefferson Rusk, signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence.
- In 1850, Rusk had 355 residents, and today is home to around 5.5k people.
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