Peace Arch

The Peace Arch is a monument situated near the westernmost point of the Canada–United States border in the contiguous United States, between the communities of Blaine, Washington and Surrey, British Columbia. The Peace Arch commemorates the signing of the Treaty of Ghent in 1814, and symbolizes a long history of peace between the two nations. The monument is built on the exact U.S.–Canada boundary, where Interstate 5 on the U.S. side of the border becomes Highway 99 on the Canadian side, in the grass median between the northbound and southbound lanes.

The Peace Arch has the flags of United States and Canada mounted on its crown, and two inscriptions on both sides of its frieze. The inscription on the U.S. side of the Peace Arch reads “Children of a common mother”, and the words on the Canadian side read “Brethren dwelling together in unity“. Within the arch, each side has an iron gate mounted on either side of the border with an inscription above each gate: the one on the east side read “May these gates never be closed“, while on the west side read “1814 Open One Hundred Years 1914“.

The monument and the surrounding land is part of Peace Arch Park. Within the park is Peace Arch Border Crossing, a major border crossing between Interstate 5 and British Columbia Highway 99. The park straddles the international boundary between the two countries at the extreme western end of the main contiguous section of the two countries’ land border, between Blaine, Washington, United States, and Surrey, British Columbia, Canada, where it reaches Semiahmoo Bay of the Salish Sea on the continent’s Pacific Coast. It is possible to walk within the park and cross the border unhindered. The 2 border control facilities are at either end of the park.

On the day of my visit, the weather was challenging, with heavy driving rain, turning to sleet. Unfortunately this was my last day with a hire car, so I have to suck it up and visit nevertheless.

The Arch

The Peace Arch with the US Border Controls in the background.

The Border

The Peace Arch is located directly on the border. The border is well marked by several markers and plaques. There are 2 roads crossing north to south and south to north, as well as a rail track (just outside the parks western boundary). 0 Avenue is the boundary along the north -eastern part of the park.

Road Crossings

South to North

North to South

At the time of my visit, traffic was noticeably busy travelling south.

Rail Crossing

Single track crossing point used by the AMTRAK Cascades train.

Border Control Facilities

At each end of the park there were major border control facilities; the weather prevented me from exploring them in detail.

Canada

USA

0 Avenue (Zero Avenue).

0 Avenue (Zero Avenue) is a road running beside the Canada–United States border from Surrey to Abbotsford. 0 Avenue continues west along the northern border of Peace Arch Historical State Park to Peace Arch Crossing. Small pedestrian bridges cross a trench on the border. On a better day it would be a great place for a picnic.