At the time of this writing, the Cameron Pilot online archives are only available through 2008. The 2009 issue will be posted online by the Cameron Parish Library as it becomes available and as time allows.
Unless noted otherwise, the following articles, pictures and advertisements are from the Cameron Pilot archives.
March 16, 2000
March 30, 2000
April 27, 2000
May 25, 2000
July 20, 2000
August 31, 2000
November 9, 2000
November 9, 2000
November 30, 2000
December 7, 2000
February 8, 2001
Bill Turnbull, who died Sunday in Cameron, was a well known nature photographer whose photographs were widely published. This picture was taken at Rutherford Beach south of Creole on the Gulf of Mexico.
February 15, 2001
The recent death of Bill Turnbull in Cameron brought to an end his distinguished second career as an outdoor and nature photographer. This photo of sunrise at Rutherford Beach was one of his many striking pictures of Cameron Parish's outdoor wonders.
February 22, 2001
Should read Beachfront Development District No. Two.
May 24, 2001
June 7, 2001
July 12, 2001
September 20, 2001
September 27, 2001
February 14, 2002
February 14, 2002
March 7, 2002
May 23, 2002
October 3, 2002
October 24, 2002
December 5, 2002
May 1, 2003
May 8, 2003
June 5, 2003
July 17, 2003
August 21, 2003
September 11, 2003
September 18, 2003
September 18, 2003
September 25, 2003
September 25, 2003
September 25, 2003
October 16, 2003
September 23, 2004
September 23, 2004
September 23, 2004
September 23, 2004
September 23, 2004
September 23, 2004
September 29, 2004
The last Google Earth satellite image of Rutherford Beach before Hurricane Rita. West Avenue in center of picture.
April 28, 2005
April 28, 2005
May 12, 2005
Rutherford Beach has the dubious distinction of receiving the very first advisory after the statewide Beach Monitoring Program was implemented.
May 26, 2005
Unknown, 2005
South of 199 Cameron Drive, looking north. The Bailey camp, pre-Rita. (From the albums of Connie Hornsby (Bailey), with permission)
Connie relates the story: "We had just finished updating the camp, new windows, a/c's, screens, outside facelift. Rita hit a few months after. Pipe in front was an old flagpole pipe that my dad always hung the American flag on. I still have the flag."
June 30, 2005
July 21, 2005
July 28, 2005
August 25, 2005
September 1, 2005
September 22, 2005
September 22, 2005
September 24, 2005
Hurricane Rita made landfall as a Category 3 hurricane on September 24 near the Texas - Louisiana border.
September 25, 2005
Like most of lower Cameron Parish, Rutherford Beach was flattened by Hurricane Rita. Google Earth satellite image of Rutherford Beach the day after Hurricane Rita. West Avenue in center of picture.
September 28, 2005
West Avenue in center of picture. (Source unknown)
Rutherford Beach Road in center of picture. (Source unknown)
September 29, 2005
There was no September 29 issue of the Cameron Pilot, This was only the second issue missed in the history of the paper, the other being after Hurricane Audrey in 1957.
October 6, 2005
These five words summarize the devastation.
February 7, 2006
The following are Rita before and after pictures. All pictures taken from south of 193 Cameron Drive,
Looking North
Looking Northeast
Looking East
Looking Northeast
Looking West
From rutherfordbeachla.blogspot.com. Sandy Feet, Blogger
May 18, 2006
September 7, 2006
September 21, 2006
October 5, 2006
December 28, 2006
March 3, 2007
Not much changed at Rutherford Beach in the 18 months between September 24, 2005 (Hurricane Rita) and March 2007. No new camps, no utilities...just primitive camping. My family made a tent trip in early March.
April 26, 2007
August 30, 2007
January 31, 2008
June 12, 2008
June 16, 2008
Nelwyn and I found our piece of paradise!
Beach, looking northwest. These pilings were the remains of the Nathan & Jenora Cormier camp (lost during Rita) and the beginning of the present-day Crab Shack.
A quick story about Mr. Cormier - he was a carpenter by trade and built their camp himself. He was very proud of the camp, and rightfully so. They were heartbroken after Rita took their camp. On June 16, after we had completed the transaction at the courthouse, I met Mr. Cormier at the lot so he could show me where the septic tank was. Even after the heartbreak of Rita, he was beaming with pride as he pointed out the pilings. He said look around you, your pilings are the only pilings on the beach that are plumb with the world. "I put those pilings in right" he said. I will always remember that.
August 24, 2008
Our first camping trip at the Crab Shack with all utilities....and last trip before Ike.
August 28, 2008
Mr. Theriot was the original owner of the Cypress Inn, the second business opened on Rutherford Beach. (See July 16, 1964 blog entry for Grand Opening announcement).
September 18, 2008
Hurricane Ike made landfall at Galveston, Texas on September 13. The severe damage done over a hundred miles away from the eye is testament to the storm's size and strength.
September 20, 2008
The next several pictures were taken by me and my wife one week after Ike hit.
Cameron Drive, looking west. We had just bought our lot 3 months before Ike hit.
164 Gulf Drive, looking north.
Note the "lean" on our brand new meter pole...sigh. Little did I know at that time how adept I would become at moving sand, repairing utilities, and rebuilding fence.
Corner of West Avenue and Gulf Drive, looking west. This was the second camp built after Rita, the Joe & Cynthia Hauk camp. It was uncomfortably close to the water after Ike.
Corner of West Avenue and Cameron Drive, looking west. The top of that sign should be even with the top of Nelwyn's head.
I never found out who this camper belonged to. Roughly the northwest corner of West Avenue and Cameron Drive, looking northeast.
Calcasieu Drive, looking northwest. The Kevin Dupke camp. (Purchased two months before Ike. Formerly the Wayne LeBleu camp).
September 24, 2008
Rutherford Beach 11 days after Hurricane Ike made landfall. Rutherford Beach Road in center of picture. (Source unknown)
October 9, 2008
November 26, 2008
Digging out after Ike. Finally located our water meter.
March 22, 2009
Marking the Crab Shack corners with sago palms. Unbelievably, someone pulled up the southwest sago, dragged it down the beach, and burned it.
August 16, 2009
Another random work day at the Crab Shack.
September 7, 2009
Labor Day at the Crab Shack. The "original" blue roof!
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