by Richelle Turner and Alana A. Carmon

Carved out of Calcasieu Parish on March 15, 1870, Cameron Parish encompasses a 1,445 square mile area. Cameron Parish, which has a population of 9,991 (2000 census), is home to flourishing oil and gas, fur and trapping, fishing, and truck farming industries.

Cameron Parish is perhaps best known for the devastation caused by Hurricane Audrey in 1957. On June 27,1957, Hurricane Audrey slammed onto the the parish's shores, with winds of up to 144 mph. The category 4 hurricane left behind massive destruction and nearly destroyed the parish's principal town. The only thing that seemed untouched was the town courthouse, which served as home for many people until the parish was rebuilt. Audrey killed approximately 500 persons and inflicted hundreds of injuries.

Cameron Parish's principal tourist attraction consists of The Creole Nature Trail National Science Byway. The first National Byway in the Gulf South, this 180-mile-long trail traverses the Louisiana coastal marsh. The byway provides the greatest access to Louisiana's beautiful and distinctive coastal marshlands. Like the Florida Everglades, the wetlands along the byway are carpeted with gorgeous verdure. Marinas, fishing and crabbing venues, birdwatching, boat launches, and lodging are available in the wetlands area.