The Pierian Club, the oldest active club for women in Ruston, was founded in 1899 as a study, civic, and social club. Its first civic duty was to beautify the now historic Chautauqua grounds north of Ruston. In 1934, Mrs. B. H. Rainwater, chairman of the Pierian Civic Committee, and her brother T.L. James sought to improve Railroad Park. Mr. James provided 720 rose bushes, and the Pierian Rose Garden was created, spanning the entire city block. Pierian members have faithfully tended the roses ever since. During World War II, roses were placed in dining cars of troop trains that stopped in Ruston, and soldiers were given roses to pass on to their mothers, wives, or girlfriends. Pierians also continued cutting roses for shut-ins, hospital patients, and others. In 1996, because of renovations at Railroad Park, the city moved all roses to Central Fire Station on East Georgia Avenue. Some were later relocated to Historic Fire Station on East Mississippi Street. In late spring 2016, the city returned the remaining Pierian roses to their original home in Railroad Park, where the entire city can enjoy their beauty and history.