There’s a Part of the US That’s Only Accessible Through Canada
You've probably never thought about needing a passport to drive between two parts of the same country. Yet that's exactly what happens in Point Roberts, Washington – a tiny piece of America that's cut off from the mainland U.S. by Canadian territory. This unusual setup means the 1,191 residents can't get groceries, visit the doctor, or even send their kids to high school without crossing an international border. There's quite a story behind how this peculiar place came to be.
How Point Roberts Became America's Unique Pene-exclave
When you look at a map of North America, you'll notice something unusual near Vancouver, British Columbia. There's a small piece of the United States that's completely cut off from the mainland – Point Roberts, Washington.
This geographic anomaly came about through the 1846 Oregon Treaty, which set the US-Canada border at the 49th parallel. The treaty's creators didn't realize they were creating one of North America's most unique pene-exclaves – a piece of US territory you can only reach by land through Canada. Thanks to its central location, visitors can easily reach Point Roberts within 45 minutes from downtown Vancouver.
The area's historical significance dates back to 1792 when George Vancouver named it after Captain Henry Roberts.
Settlement began around 1858 during the Fraser River gold rush, with the community initially thriving on salmon fishing and canning industries. Today, the community faces unprecedented challenges as border closures have caused an 80% loss in business, threatening the survival of this distinctive American outpost.
Living in a Land-Locked Corner of Washington State
Life in Point Roberts presents a unique set of challenges and opportunities for its 1,191 residents. You'll find yourself in a tight-knit community where local culture revolves around the marina and seasonal tourism from Canadian visitors.
Living here means adapting to some unusual circumstances. You'll need to cross through Canada to reach mainland Washington for schools and medical care. Like residents of the Northwest Angle, Point Roberts' inhabitants must travel through Canadian territory twice to reach the mainland United States.
The community dynamics are shaped by the area's small size – just 4.884 square miles. But you'll enjoy milder weather than surrounding regions, with about 40 inches of yearly rainfall and minimal snow.
Despite being cut off from the rest of Washington, you're only 22 miles from Vancouver. When needed, you can access emergency ferry service to Bellingham, and the marina provides essential transportation options.
The Daily Reality of Cross-Border Life
Living along the US-Canadian border in Point Roberts means you'll become quite familiar with border crossing procedures.
You'll need your passport or NEXUS card every time you cross, and you'll face daily commute challenges that most Americans never experience.
If you're heading to mainland USA, you'll go through customs twice – once entering Canada and again entering the US.
The cross border challenges don't stop there. You can't freely transport groceries or agricultural products, though there's a large local store to help with that. The dedicated Tyee Street port serves as the only authorized land access point between Point Roberts and Canada.
During summer holidays, you might wait in long lines at the Point Roberts-Boundary Bay crossing, even though it's open 24/7.
While 80% of Point Roberts residents have NEXUS cards to speed things up, post-9/11 security has made crossings more complex.
The border crossing has come a long way since its early days when customs officials conducted patrols by boat and horseback.
Impact of Global Events on Point Roberts
The town's isolation made it the "safest place" during COVID-19, with no cases reported by September 2020.
However, this safety came at a cost – the community still struggles to bounce back from losing its essential Canadian visitors, who typically generate 90% of local economic activity.
The community sees a dramatic increase when summer arrives, as the population swells from 1,300 to 5,000 seasonal visitors.
With only half being dual citizens, Point Roberts' approximately 1,000 residents face unique challenges navigating life between two countries.
The Future of America's Geographic Outlier
Despite its challenging isolation, Point Roberts stands poised for significant transformation through strategic development initiatives.
You'll see major changes with the $11.7 million broadband project that'll connect 1,200 residents through 47.6 miles of underground fiber and 63.1 miles of undersea cable.
The Fraser River gold rush initially sparked settlement in this unique peninsula.
The community's economic opportunities are expanding through careful planning.
A Port of Bellingham study is creating strategies for infrastructure and business growth, with tourism and water activities as key drivers.
The region's unique position makes it particularly vulnerable to border protection measures being enhanced between the US and Canada.
You'll find increased community resilience through better housing options and updated land-use zoning to support new businesses.
With a population now reaching 1,249, Point Roberts is strengthening its unique position between the U.S. and Canada.
The focus on cross-border collaboration and infrastructure improvements suggests a future of greater connectivity and economic stability.
