49th parallel (Oregon Treaty of 1846)

 Oregon Treaty

The Oregon treaty was signed to settle the long standing dispute between the US and British(now Canada). This treaty resolved the western border between the United States and British Canada

Oregon Country

Before the treaty was signed, Oregon Country was jointly owned by Britain and US. Oregon Country later became part of current Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana and Wyoming. It was signed by President James Polk and John Tyler on July 16th 1846.

Below is the map of the Oregon Country.

Wikipedia image of Oregon Country  

49th Parallel

One of the key feature of the treaty is  establishment of 49th parallel line(49N latitude) as border between countries. An imaginary parallel line drawn from Rocky Mountains to Georgia Strait. 

There were some exceptions made to 49th parallel line, like Vancouver Island remained under Britain, now part of Canada, while Point Roberts remained under USA. 

 

Google map of current border

A Unique Outcome:Point Roberts

Point Roberts come under Washington State. It is  US exclave. Exclave means it is portion of one country but physically surrounded by another country. 

Point Roberts received its name on June 12th 1792 by Captain George Vancouver.

A monument at the northwest corner of this point Roberts was established right at the 49th parallel.

Google map image of Obelisk and its location

How to go there

You need to drive by 

• Drive north on I-5 crossing  towards Canada 
• Cross Canada border 
• Continue driving on BC-99, BC-17
• Head towards 56th street 
• Cross US border. 

 You need to cross both countries border to reach to US from Washington state in USA. This means you need a valid passport. 

Interestingly, residents of Point Roberts must cross into Canada and then back into the U.S. just to attend school, access healthcare, or do basic errands—highlighting the unique geographic situation.