History of Guemes Island

The sixteenth census of the United States found 233 people living on Guemes Island, 30 fewer than in 1930 but more than in 1960 and 1970. The Census Bureau data is very detailed – names, birthplaces and occupations. Most islanders were farmers. Many were fishermen. Some were laborers with the W.P.A.  A number of their descendants are still here, as well as a few hardy souls who were named and counted in 1940. As you look at the reported incomes, remember that the median yearly income for a man in 1940 was $956. [View The 1940 Census of Guemes Island] 5MB PDF   *   [2010 Census of Guemes Island]

Left: The Samish used canoes to cross Guemes Channel until the early 1900s

1912: Harry Rickaby put the 40-foot Elk into service on a five-trip-a-day schedule. Elk could carry 35 people; the fare was 5¢ each way. Harry was paid $105 per month.

Western Washington University recently posted two broadcasts from KVOS Television archives, “regarding the 1966 attempt by Northwest Aluminum Company to build an aluminum plant on Guemes Island…The film features short interviews with people in favor of and opposed to the proposed industrial development.” One company representative insists the industrial development will enhance Guemes Island life. [View]

Left: Washington State Congressman Lloyd Meeds points to a map of Guemes Island. Senator Henry Jackson and an unidentified man (perhaps the Devil) discuss the proposed aluminum smelter in 1966.

The Arctic Juggernaut

/after-the-assault-islanders-begin-recovery/After the Assault, Islanders Begin Recovery Process
“From midnight of December 28th, to nine o’clock the next morning, hurricane-force winds caused unprecedented damage to about two-thirds of the island. Wind velocities exceeding 100 mph were recorded near here.” – Winter 1990

Cleaning Up After the Arctic Juggernaut
“Numerous island buildings were hit by falling trees, including the Sweigert residence, which was nearly sliced in half by a fir tree and another islander’s studio which was totalled by five large firs.”

The More Things Change
“It’s all still there,” he said, “all of it. Just as it was when I was young.”

The Christmas Storms of 1990

Notes from the Heart of the Island
“Who will forget the man so terrified by trees falling on his tiny cabin that he went off into the dark forest to lie protected under trees already down? How about the folks who had a tree limb, completely trimmed of branches, sprout from the middle of their ceiling like some Post Modern work of art? Or the way the islanders rose to the occasion with candles and kerosene lamps, with soup pots bubbling on wood stoves, and everywhere chainsaws creating a music that turned Guemes into a throaty symphony?

Water, Water Everywhere

Water, water, everywhere, And all the boards did shrink;
Water, water, everywhere, Nor any drop to drink.

Part One: “An island environment is like the Ancient Mariner’s ship: a certain store of fresh water exists, but beyond that is the undrinkable salt sea.” [Summer 1990]

Part Two: “The study focused on two fundamental questions…whether or not our fresh water supply was derived…from old water trapped during the last ice age. The second question was the degree to which aquifers are in communication and thus, able to transfer water from one part of the island to another.” [Fall 1990]

Update: “Residents of Guemes Island are aware that their aquifer has a limited quantity and should have special considerations. In a previous study, the DOE has outlined the salt water intrusion problem. This information should be used in the Skagit County planning process and the water system planning process. The integrity of the existing aquifer should be protected.” [Winter 1991]

Part Three: “We don’t yet know the capacity of the aquifers on Guemes nor how much can safely be withdrawn without depleting the reservoir of fresh water.”[Fall 1994]

In 1977 Skagit County proposed replacing the Guemes Island ferry, the Almar, with a new and larger capacity vessel. At the same time they proposed reconstructing the ferry docks and facilities. The following excerpts were drawn from the Environmental Impact Statement prepared by the Skagit County Planning Department. Read more

The Charles Feld Case Reports

A call to 911, reporting an assault, led to an overwhelming and unprecedented response by many Sheriff officers, a Skagit County High Risk Team, SWAT team, negotiator, an ATF bomb-sniffing K-9 team, Skagit County Fire Marshals, plus the Guemes Island Fire Department. In the end, Charles Feld surrendered and was subsequently charged with attempted murder, arson and weapons violations. He was ultimately convicted on all charges and sentenced to 80-112 years. Read more

A Rose By Any Other Name

How were the islands around us named?

Guemes Island The name was given in 1791 by Lieut. Juan Francisco de Eliza, for the Viceroy of Mexico, Don Juan Vincente de Guemes Pacheco y Padillo Orcasitas y Aguayo, Conde de Revilla Gigedo. In 1841, Cmdr. Charles Wilkes charted it as Lawrence Island, for Capt. James Lawrence, USN, who commanded the Sloop-of-War Hornet in the War of 1812. In 1853 the name Dog Island was given for an episode in which wild dogs raided the camp of Russell Peabody and Capt. Roeder, and ate their food. The late Ken Hansen, chairman of the Samish Tribal Council, said the Indian name for Guemes Island translates into English as Dog Island. Read more

The Samish Indians of Guemes Island, 1792-1986

Spanish explorers aboard the Sutil and the Mexicana recorded the first European sighting of the Indians on Guemes Island in 1792:

“We saw a village close to the northwest point and upon examining it with the telescope found it to consist of two large houses. Several Indians ran down to the beach, got into a canoe and steered for the schooners . . . In it an old man and four young ones of pleasant appearance came boldly alongside and gave us brambleberries . . . We gave each a metal button and they repeated their gifts in small portions to obtain something else in exchange. . . They also gave us dried shell fish of the sort sailors call verdigones, threaded on a cord of bark. We accepted a sufficient quantity of them and also obtained from them a blanket of dog’s hair, quilted with feathers and a tanned deer’s hide.”1” Read more