Grambling is a small town with a big legacy in football and education
Grambling is best known as the home of Grambling State University, a historically Black university with about 5,200 students. Under Eddie Robinson's leadership, the school’s football program became nationally known, bringing attention to both the university and the town. The Lincoln Parish community honors its rich Black history and culture through education, a month-long Juneteenth celebration and the pride residents take in being from Grambling. Plus, the town has easy access to U.S. Interstate 20 and Ruston, the next town over, where there’s a variety of shopping and dining options.
Grambling State blends academics, athletics and rich history
Founded in 1901, Grambling State University is recognized for its College of Business, School of Nursing, Tigers Marching Band and football program. “The college football community is really popular because of the history of Grambling football,” says Brock Duncan, a real estate agent with Keller Williams Parishwide Partners, who has sold homes throughout Lincoln Parish. The school’s program is legendary, largely due to the impact of College Football Hall of Fame coach Eddie Robinson, who led the Tigers for 56 years. Robinson became one of the winningest coaches in NCAA history, building Grambling into a powerhouse program that produced more than 100 NFL players, including Hall of Famer Willie Davis. One of its most celebrated traditions is the Bayou Classic, the annual showdown against Southern University in New Orleans. The game is perhaps the best-known rivalry in HBCU football, earning the nickname the “Black Super Bowl” from fans. “During football season, the stands are always packed,” Duncan says. “It’s really lively.” Today, the on-campus Eddie G. Robinson Museum preserves Robinson’s legacy.
Grambling’s housing costs are lower than nearby Ruston
Tall pine trees frame Grambling’s gently sloping roads. Usually, there’s a lot of space between houses. Ranch-style homes and New Traditionals are common and can cost $130,000 to $240,000. On the east side of town, the Traditions subdivision offers one- and two-story New Traditional-style homes priced from $200,000 to $280,000. The community features new construction and a variety of floor plans. “There’s a cheaper cost of living in Grambling than in Ruston,” Duncan says.
Monthlong Juneteenth events celebrate Grambling’s Black culture
The annual Juneteenth Heritage Festival kicks off the first week of June with an opening ceremony at Grambling City Hall, and festivities continue throughout the month. “Grambling is predominantly Black, so that is a big part of the history and community,” Duncan says. Some events include a poetry contest, a fishing tournament, the Miss Juneteenth Pageant and a Scholarship Walk. But Duncan says that the Juneteenth Parade on Juneteenth is the most popular. “Everyone comes out for it,” he says. Vendors line Main Street as pageant queens, football players and floats pass onlookers.
Grambling has a few essentials, with more options in Ruston
A Dollar General and a Legends Market grocery store cover the essentials, and there are a few dining options in town. Who Made Me Do It Wings & Poboys, open past midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, is a go-to for college students, and The Tiger Den serves comfort food, from hamburgers and hot dogs to chili cheese fries and nachos. While the town’s retail and restaurant presence is limited, there’s more nearby. “The next city over is Ruston, which is where you have your Walmart and all your grocery stores,” Duncan says. “It’s only 10 minutes from town, but in Grambling you still get that country feel.” Ruston also has big-box stores like Hobby Lobby, T.J. Maxx and Lowe’s Home Improvement, as well as various dining options.
Grambling students attend well-rated Lincoln Parish schools
The Lincoln Parish Public Schools district serves Grambling. Glen View Elementary educates kindergarten to second graders and gets an A from Niche. Cypress Springs Elementary, for third to fifth-grade students, gets a B-plus, and Ruston Junior High earns an A-minus. Ruston High School receives an A and offers dual enrollment courses with nearby Louisiana Tech University. Their football team won the state championship in 2023 and were runners-up in 2022 and 2024.
Fishing, biking and beach days at nearby public parks
Grambling City Park centers around a pond, with a surrounding walking trail. It’s a popular fishing spot, and there’s a shaded picnic pavilion. Reston has more parks, like the 23-acre Huckleberry Trails Park, which has a playground and wooded nature trails. Nearby Lincoln Parish Park offers a popular 10-mile mountain biking trail, campgrounds and more. It’s home to Hoogland Lake, which offers a public summertime beach.
Grambling’s location makes commuting across the region easy
Grambling State University offers students bus service to nearby shopping destinations, and Lincoln Parish Public Transit offers reservation-based rides to the community. Grambling has easy access to U.S. Interstate 20, which leads east-west from Texas to South Carolina. Ruston, with Northern Louisiana Medical Center, is about 5 miles east, Monroe, with Monroe Regional Airport, is about 40 miles east and Shreveport is about 60 miles west. The closest international airport is Alexandria International Airport, about 100 miles south.
Written By
Adreanna DeMarino
