Start reading about Ruston, Washington here. Ruston’s identity, culture, and economy were bound to the smelter.

From its earliest days Ruston was a close-knit community. Some Ruston residents trace their histories back to the first days of settlement.

For many years ASARCO in Ruston was one of the largest employers in the county, employing 1300 workers at its peak. The smelter’s...

Because of its economic importance, residents were generally willing to live with odors and acid rain caused by proximity to the smelter.