In the early years of Texas Statehood Rusk County was home to a number of large plantations. By the end of the Civil War many of the plantations were gone, and small farms replaced larger operations. Crops included cotton, sugarcane, grains, and many vegetables and fruits. In the early 1900s lumber became a major product of the county. Cattle production increased considerably through the 20th century, though the number of farms decreased. Recent years in Rusk County have seen a shift in focus away from agriculture toward oil and mining interests. Texas Sesquicentennial 1836-1986