History
Guernewood Neighborhood Association
Nestled among the giant redwoods, Guernewood Park is an unincorporated community in western Sonoma County, California, on the Russian River, 17 miles west of Santa Rosa, and 1 mile west of Guerneville, just off State Route 116 (River Road). Armstrong Redwoods State Reserve and Austin Creek State Recreation Area are to the north.
Gueneville is named for Swiss immigrant George E. Guerne, a local businessman who owned the town’s sawmill. Just west of Guerneville he established a community in the majestic redwoods, which became Guernewood Park.
After the introduction of the railroad into the Russian River valley in the late 1800s, thousands of San Franciscans flocked to the river area each summer for lazy days of swimming and boating, and lively nights of music and dancing. The Guernewood Park Resort was a popular destination, and one of the largest river resorts. Famous big bands provided dance music at the Resort and other venues along the Russian River into the 1950s.
Today, the historic Guernewood Park community consists of approximately 800 residences.