This isle Of Guemes
The first printed history of Guemes Island This Isle of Guemes begins with Guemes Island’s original inhabitants—the Samish Indian Tribe. These peaceful people were renowned for their Potlatch celebrations (in the area now known as Potlatch Beach along the west shore). Their now extinct breed of dogs, kept for their fur, gave the island another name— Dog Island. Helen Troy Elmore recounts the discovery of Guemes Island by Captain Vancouver and its naming for the Viceroy of Mexico. She describes the original settlers, most pillars of the Community although one smuggled furs and human cargo. Children trembled at hearing “Kelly the smuggler will get you if you are not good.” Another, Charlie Gant, a newspaper man and alcoholic poet booster, edited and published the Beachcomber. One pioneer wife, when offered a diamond ring, responded, “I think I’d as leave you gave me a cow.” A small ferry, Guemes skippered by Bill Bessner, arrived early in the 1900’s. Passengers travelled free and drivers paid 50¢. Bessner’s ferry gave way to another and then to the Almar. Electricity came to the island. Potlucks and dances were held. Telephone service arrived (and ended when the cable was severed by a passing vessel but restored). Bubble built her fantasy lodge with a semblance of birds, animals and nameless illusions created from stones, driftwood and shells. An aluminum smelter was proposed and defeated. Gardens flourished, beach agates found, violin music played on quiet nights—Guemes Island life flourished. Gertrude Howard’s Guemes Gleanings,“an unduplicated continuation of…This Isle of Guemes,” is included here as well. Order on Amazon
Between Eden and Oz
The Guemes of the present remains much like the Guemes of the past—not, it’s true, the primeval Guemes of 1791, when the Spanish invader walked its beaches, nor the Guemes of the era of Charley Gant, settled by white men but still wonderfully close to nature. It’s never more beautiful than during a magical summer morning, when dawn fires the cool blue sea with tints of rose, and a soaring heron drifts slowly toward Padilla Bay across the snowy face of the Gran Montana de Carmelo. And, later in the day, when one drives about the island, returning neighborly waves of the hand, one is reminded that there still exist a few backwaters where the friendly calm of the Northwest’s years of early growth survives into its harried present. -From the Introduction. This history of Guemes Island is compiled primarily from The Guemes Island Environmental Trust Newsletter, The Evening Star (written, published and distributed single-handedly by Win Anderson and LineTime.org. Order on Amazon
Recipes Through The Years
Recipes Through The Years is an eclectic collection of more than 200 recipes ranging from quick and healthy to complex and decadent. It blends Northwest fare with ethnic dishes, reflecting the diversity of those who enjoy the rich history and relaxed lifestyle of Guemes. Recipes as varied as Smoked Salmon with Rosemary Glaze, Costa Rican Ceviche, Anderson General Store Cinnamon Rolls to Classic Paella, combine the old and the new. Enjoy these delicious, flavorful recipes from our extraordinary Guemes community. Order on Amazon
Guemes Island Atlas
The Guemes Island Atlas contains twelve maps of Guemes Island.
The maps:
Roads
Terrain
Geology
NRCS Soil Survey
Public Water Systems and Chlorides
Habitats and Species
Skagit County Zoning
Open Space and Conservation Lands
Local and Non-local Property Owners, Buildings
LIDAR Image
Recent Satellite Image
1988 Aerial Photograph
Out of Print