History of the resort

The story of The Guemes Island Resort begins with a dream—and a man named Charlie Townsend.

Charlie was born in Missouri in 1908, the son of a hog farmer and a Boomer. As a teenager, he made his way west to Washington State where he worked long days in the lumber mills. Like many in that era, Charlie carried a simple but determined dream: to one day own a business of his own.

In 1947, that dream took root when he purchased a small piece of land on Guemes Island overlooking the water. With one cabin and a lot of hard work, Charlie’s Guemes Island Fishing Resort was born.

Charlie spent his weekdays working in Seattle and his weekends on the island with his family, building the resort one step at a time. In those early years there was no electricity and no formal advertising—just word of mouth from happy guests who returned summer after summer. What began as a single rental cabin gradually grew into six cabins, along with a small fishing store that served anglers and vacationing families alike.

Over time, the resort became a cherished destination for generations of visitors seeking a quiet island getaway.

Charlie’s wife Alice, his partner through nearly five decades of marriage, passed away in 1977 just months before their 50th anniversary. Later, Charlie married a close friend, Pearl, and they shared 13 years together before his passing in 1995 at the age of 87.

Today, the legacy of Charlie’s Guemes Island Fishing Resort lives on as The Guemes Island Resort. The tradition continues under island-based owners Mark and Kelly Linnemann, who remain committed to preserving the relaxed, welcoming spirit that has drawn guests here for generations.

More than 75 years after Charlie welcomed his first visitors, the resort continues to be a place where families return, traditions grow, and island memories are made.