The 1960s - Journey Through Rutherford Beach History
- Kasey Paulk
- Oct 16, 2019
- 2 min read
Updated: Feb 27, 2020
Without a doubt, the 1960s were the heyday of Rutherford Beach. Several important events ushered in a "beach rush" of sorts. Excitement was in the air!
1. Rutherford Beach Road was opened. Obviously this was critical for development
2. Electrical service was installed
3. Lots were sold
4. Businesses were established
5. Camps were built
6. Crowds estimated at 5,000 people packed the beach
Unless noted otherwise, the following articles, pictures and advertisements are from the Cameron Pilot archives.
The following map and article are from June 7, 1962. This is the first mention of Rutherford Beach Road that I have located.
Rutherford Beach is described by some who have seen it as the "finest between Grand Isle and Galveston."
July 5, 1962
August 2, 1962
August 9, 1962
$13,455 to build Rutherford Beach Road
December 6, 1962
Rutherford Beach Road virtually complete
June 6, 1963
Rutherford Beach is open for business and pleasure!!
Summer, 1963
Shown enjoying the newly opened beach are the McCall and Mayon families from Grand Chenier. (Photos used with the permission of Mike McCall)
July 4, 1963
Nearly 500 cars seen on the beach
July 11, 1963
August 1, 1963
March 12, 1964
April 23, 1964
Lots for sale
April 30, 1964
June 25, 1964
The first business
July 9, 1964
The electric "juice" is turned on
July 16, 1964
The second business
August 20, 1964
October 22, 1964
November 25, 1964
December 24, 1964
January 14, 1965
Cypress Inn filled to overflowing
May 6, 1965
May 13, 1965
May 27, 1965
Louisiana's Newest Beach Resort
June 3, 1965
The first camp
June 24, 1965
July 1, 1965
The third business
July 8, 1965
"Rutherford Beach bore a close resemblance to Galveston Beach, so dense was the crowd..."
August 12, 1965
Looks like a good time!
August 26, 1965
March 31, 1966
May 12, 1966
"...Rutherford Beach begins to look more and more like a Gulfside resort."
June 16, 1966
"Rated the most 'savory' news tidbit of the past week is the announcement of the proposed all-out development of Rutherford Beach..."
June 30, 1966
July 7, 1966
5,000 people
"I never thought I'd live to see the day when Rutherford Beach would be teeming with so many people and so much activity."
July 14, 1966
September 1, 1966
February 23, 1967
Parking lot, 10 pavilions and 2 restrooms planned
March 2, 1967
March 23, 1967
May 11, 1967
Telephone service on the way
June 8, 1967
"...swarming with tourists..."
July 6, 1967
July 13, 1967
"...estimated 5,000 people, 200 tents..."
August 10, 1967
Federal and state aid doesn't appear to be coming.
August 17, 1967
August 24, 1967
September 7, 1967
"RUTHERFORD BEACH AREA IS WELL RUN" - what a great article!
October 19, 1967
"THE PLAYGROUND OF CAMERON"
November 16, 1967
Following is the brochure mentioned in the article above. The caption in the lower right hand corner mentions Rutherford Beach. (From the collection of the late Martha L. Mhire Miller. Used with permission)
December 14, 1967
December 28, 1967
February 8, 1968
February 22, 1968
March 7, 1968
May 23, 1968
June 20, 1968
July 4, 1968
July 11, 1968
"The crowd was estimated at 3000 people."
January 9, 1969
Cypress Inn under new management.
February 20, 1969
The first reported storm damage
"...so much damage was done at Rutherford Beach..."
February 27, 1969
May 15, 1969
Porpoise Inn, another new business
Unfortunately, the business and the camp burned to the ground a little over 2 years later. See October 14, 1971 article "Porpoise Inn, camp burn" (Photo from the collection of Neal and Dana Hoffpauir, with permission)
July 3, 1969
Sea Breeze Gardens, another new business
July 10, 1969
Permanent cabana to be built
August 14, 1969
September 4, 1969
September 18, 1969
Story continues in The 1970s - Journey Through Rutherford Beach History.
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