US/Canadian border, the longest International border in the world

[cpaharley2008]

U.S./Canada
In 1818, a U.S.-British agreement had established the border between Canada and the U.S. along the 49th parallel. Nowadays, the tension between the two countries is pretty non-existent but before the U.S. Civil War, the battle over who owned what seemed to be a never-ending issue. In 1783, the border was set up on the 45th parallel as the northern border between New York and New Brunswick using the Great Lakes as a divider. As Americans headed west, the Great Lakes could no longer work as the great divide. In 1818, surveyors decided that one long line was the best way to split the countries and created it along the 49th parallel. It isn't something the U.S. was exactly thrilled about but in the end, we got to keep Oregon and Canada got to keep their maple syrup. Source: The World Atlas

[emers382]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

U.S./Canada
In 1818, a U.S.-British agreement had established the border between Canada and the U.S. along the 49th parallel. Nowadays, the tension between the two countries is pretty non-existent but before the U.S. Civil War, the battle over who owned what seemed to be a never-ending issue. In 1783, the border was set up on the 45th parallel as the northern border between New York and New Brunswick using the Great Lakes as a divider. As Americans headed west, the Great Lakes could no longer work as the great divide. In 1818, surveyors decided that one long line was the best way to split the countries and created it along the 49th parallel. It isn't something the U.S. was exactly thrilled about but in the end, we got to keep Oregon and Canada got to keep their maple syrup. Source: The World Atlas

Yes they did decide on the 49th but you know Jim there is one spot where the border goes north of that, called the Northwest Angle in MN. Saw in Warroad MN the other day a sign explaining why. We live at 49.005 latitude.

Adrian

[Bobbie54]

And we got to keep Point Roberts, thanks to that line. Someone noticed (I believe a Canadian) and tried to trade it back but we refused. So now if you want to drive to Pt. Roberts you have to leave the US and re-enter- and the Pt. Bob High school kids do this twice a day.

[gbaglo]

Originally Posted by Bobbie54

So now if you want to drive to Pt. Roberts you have to leave the US and re-enter- and the Pt. Bob High school kids do this twice a day.

But, not the one who tried to smuggle marijuana. She went one way.

[Iowa Dave]

4 crossings over and back in 2016 for us each time pulling the Escape. One was at at Sweetgrass Montana because I did not believe the sign that said "Hey Dummy, This really is the last EXIT before you get in the wrong line, pull too far past the stop sign and get a butt chewing that you deserve." They liked our trailer and seeing an old guy cry.
Dave

[Glennrose]

Politics certainly played its part in the compromise that resulted in the border between British Columbia and the USA.

[SFDavis50]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

U.S./Canada
In 1818, a U.S.-British agreement had established the border between Canada and the U.S. along the 49th parallel. Nowadays, the tension between the two countries is pretty non-existent but before the U.S. Civil War, the battle over who owned what seemed to be a never-ending issue. In 1783, the border was set up on the 45th parallel as the northern border between New York and New Brunswick using the Great Lakes as a divider. As Americans headed west, the Great Lakes could no longer work as the great divide. In 1818, surveyors decided that one long line was the best way to split the countries and created it along the 49th parallel. It isn't something the U.S. was exactly thrilled about but in the end, we got to keep Oregon and Canada got to keep their maple syrup. Source: The World Atlas

Another quote:

“The acquisition of Canada this year, as far as the neighborhood of Quebec, will be a mere matter of marching; & will give us experience for the attack of Halifax the next, & the final expulsion of England from the American continent.”
Thomas Jefferson to William Duane, 4 August 1812

[sunrisetrucker]

This has always been my favourite map of the Canadian / USA border, especially the way it shows BC in proper proportion to the rest of Canada

[Ron in BC]

Originally Posted by Glennrose

Politics certainly played its part in the compromise that resulted in the border between British Columbia and the USA.

Fortunately the compromise wasn't the 49th parallel from Minnesota to the Pacific.

We would have lost some of the Gulf Islands and the bottom of Vancouver Island. OK, you guys got to keep Point Roberts before the boundary jogged South

Ron

[Bobbie54]

It looks like we should have had some of Vancouver Island, too!

[Donna D.]

Originally Posted by sunrisetrucker

This has always been my favourite map of the Canadian / USA border, especially the way it shows BC in proper proportion to the rest of Canada

This really made me laugh Thanks for the chuckle!

[Ron in BC]

Originally Posted by Bobbie54

It looks like we should have had some of Vancouver Island, too!

Yah, you can have it. Ferry fares are so expensive now it's pretty much useless to us. Oh, throw in Point Roberts and it's a deal.

Ron

[sunrisetrucker]

Originally Posted by Donna D.

This really made me laugh Thanks for the chuckle!

Glad you enjoyed it Donna. That was from one of those throw away paper place mats that restaurants sometimes use. That particular one was popular around here in the 60"s and 70"s. And from what I understand the Tomahawk Restaurant in North Vancouver still uses one very similar to it. Maybe gbaglo could stop in and check it out.

[gbaglo]

Recollection is that it is the same mat at Tomahawk.

[KarenH]

Yes, that is a great map with some cogent remarks. I wish I could have read all of them but some were too small for these old eyes. I think it's one of those things that is not remiss in offending everyone.

[Ron in BC]

Originally Posted by KarenH

I think it's one of those things that is not remiss in offending everyone.

Yup, it stems from the days where comments were made that would result in tsk-tsks now.

It still around, I went to school with the son of the original owner and he's run it for a long time and probably his son will take over at some point.

Everyone loves the Yukon Breakfast, probably better for you than what used to be my favorite burger; the Skookum. Everything but the kitchen sink in it. I'm a little more careful about what I eat now.

If you're heading for the Ferries it's worth a pit stop just for ambiance.

Ron

[gbaglo]

For years, Chick Chamberlain ( Tomahawk owner ) used to provide free hot dogs for the kids at Capilano Elementary School on hot dog day ( where my daughter went ). My wife, Leslie, was a hot dog lady, serving the kids.
Of course that was before the blond brigade (mothers who drove their kids to school in their BMWs) decided that hot dogs were unhealthy and put a stop to it. My wife was honoured to ride around the school in the Oscar Meyer hot dogmobile.

The Tomahawk Barbeque [ History ]

I photographed Chick for the Vancouver Sun.