Ruddock, Louisiana facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ruddock, Louisiana
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 Ruddock, Louisiana
Location in Louisiana
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| Country | United States |
| State | Louisiana |
| Parish | St. John the Baptist |
| Elevation | 3 ft (0.9 m) |
| GNIS feature ID | 1628080 |
Ruddock is a ghost town located in St. John the Baptist Parish, Louisiana, United States. It was built on a narrow strip of land, called an isthmus, between two large lakes: Lake Maurepas and Lake Pontchartrain. Ruddock was about 10 miles (16 km) north-northeast of LaPlace.
Even though a powerful hurricane destroyed the town in 1915, Ruddock is still shown as an exit on Interstate 55. You can also find it marked on Louisiana state highway maps, even as recently as 2011.
The Story of Ruddock
How Ruddock Began
In 1892, two men named William Burton and C. H. Ruddock started a company called the Ruddock Cypress Company. They built a large sawmill to cut wood. To support their business, they also built a town for their workers and their families. This town became known as Ruddock.
In 1902, the sawmill caught fire and was destroyed. However, it was quickly rebuilt. By 1910, the town of Ruddock had grown to have about 700 people living there.
Life in the Town
When Ruddock was at its busiest, it was a lively and growing community. The town was built on tall stilts above the swampy ground. Wooden sidewalks, also on stilts, ran through the village. Smaller walkways branched off to two-story houses on each side.
The town had many important buildings. There was a community center where people could gather. It also had a blacksmith shop, where metal items were made or repaired. A special shop was built to fix the locomotives (train engines) used by the lumber company. The Ruddock Cypress Lumber Company had its main office and a store called a commissary in town.
Ruddock also had a one-room schoolhouse for children. The Holy Cross Catholic Church served as a place of worship. There was a railroad depot with a two-story rooming house attached, where travelers could stay. A saloon called The Owl Saloon was located a bit away from the main town.
Since Ruddock was somewhat isolated, there were no grocery stores. Housewives would take the daily train all the way to New Orleans to buy their food and other supplies.
The End of Ruddock
In September 1915, a very strong storm called the 1915 New Orleans Hurricane hit Ruddock. The hurricane completely destroyed the town. It also caused the deaths of 58 people from Ruddock and the nearby town of Frenier. After the storm, Ruddock was never rebuilt.
Today, the area where Ruddock once stood is covered by plants and trees. All that remains of the old buildings are pieces of decayed wood. It is truly a ghost town, a place where a community once thrived but now only memories and ruins are left.
