Baseball cards have been an integral part of American culture and childhood nostalgia since the late 19th century. While the hobby took off nationally, certain regions and communities developed their own unique histories with baseball cards as well. Ruston, Louisiana is one such city where local collectors, shops, and the cards themselves tell a story spanning generations.
Located in Lincoln Parish, Ruston emerged in the late 1880s near the intersection of the Texas and Pacific Railway and the Arkansas Southern Railroad. The growing town was ideally situated for transportation and commerce, attracting entrepreneurs and families drawn by opportunities in timber, agriculture, and the railroad. By the early 20th century, Ruston was firmly established with a population nearing 2,000. It was in this period that baseball cards first gained popularity among Ruston’s youth.
Some of the earliest documented baseball card collectors and traders in Ruston date back to the 1910s. Brothers Henry and Robert Elliot would ride their bicycles to neighboring farms, swapping duplicates from their growing collections. Their prized possessions included 1909 T206 White Border cards of Ty Cobb and Honus Wagner. Over in the historically black neighborhood of Clarks Addition, young James Turner amassed a complete 1911 and 1912 set of M101-7 Turkey Red Cabinets cards through trades at his school and church.
As Ruston’s population swelled during the 1920s oil boom years, the baseball card hobby took off locally. Drug stores and general stores kept boxes of cards on their counters as enticements for kids to spend their pennies. Ruston Drug on South Farmer Street and Watson’s 5&10 on West Georgia Avenue became reliable sources for the latest series from American Caramel, Goudey, and Play Ball. Wealthier families would drive to larger cities like Monroe to purchase factory sets directly from the manufacturers.
In the post-World War II era, Ruston saw another surge of interest in baseball cards thanks to the arrival of the Topps Company on the scene. Their innovative design and larger card size captured imaginations. Local shops struggled to keep Topps products in stock to meet demand. Meanwhile, a new generation of Ruston boys like Billy Stroud and Tommy Williams began organizing the city’s first organized trading sessions in empty lots and schoolyards. Rules were established and fair trades enforced to cultivate the hobby.
The late 1950s were a golden age for baseball cards in Ruston. Teenagers flocked to Smitty’s Pool Hall on South Farmer Street most weekends to show off their collections, make deals, and play games. Regular tournaments were held to crown the “King of Cards.” Iconic sets from 1957 and 1958 Topps flew off the shelves of Ruston Drug. One memorable purchase saw Grover Wilkerson spend his entire paper route earnings on a full factory set of 1958 cards, including a prized Mickey Mantle.
Into the 1960s, card collecting remained a popular pastime. The rising costs of packs meant many Ruston kids turned to the secondary market. Shops like Watson’s began selling boxes of loose, unsorted cards to give customers a chance at finding gems. Meanwhile, a new generation of collectors arrived, including Larry Smith who began swapping by mail with friends across the country. This helped connect Ruston more broadly to the expanding national hobby scene.
The 1970s saw changes that challenged the local baseball card market. Ruston Drug closed after decades in business. Larger chains like Eckerd and Walgreens entered the market but with less emphasis on the hobby. Meanwhile, inflation reduced spending money for many kids. Still, dedicated collectors kept the hobby alive. Meetups shifted to Ruston Mall food courts on weekends. Shops like Hobby House filled the void left by Ruston Drug for supplies.
In the 1980s, a baseball card resurgence arrived thanks to the arrival of the Upper Deck Company. Their premium cards rekindled nostalgia. Ruston collectors mobilized, organizing the first statewide card show in Monroe. Vendors from across Louisiana came to connect with the hobby’s next generation. Icons like Nolan Ryan and Cal Ripken Jr. hooked new fans. Ruston native Chris Dial parlayed his card knowledge into a career as a prominent sports memorabilia expert.
Today, Ruston continues to foster multi-generational baseball card collectors. Local shops Holiday Cards and More and The Sports Card Exchange cater to the community. Annual card shows draw attendees regionally. Meanwhile, the Ruston Baseball Card Museum, founded by lifelong collector Tommy Williams in 2005, celebrates the city’s unique history at the hobby’s intersection of nostalgia, commerce and community. Through changing trends, Ruston collectors have kept the pastime alive, ensuring its legacy lives on for future generations to enjoy.