It was framed with 50 tons of steel, and 800 cubic yards of concrete were used in its construction. In July 1920 work began on the 67-foot-tall concrete and steel structure that would become the Peace Arch. The idea for an arch was not entirely new - a wooden arch was built over the railroad tracks at the border just north of Blaine when the railroad border crossing was completed in 1891, and in 1911 Blaine had built a temporary white arch on its main street to celebrate a fair - but Hill’s arch was to be far more impressive. But the real force behind the creation of the Peace Arch was Samuel “Sam” Hill (1857-1931), founder of the Washington State Good Roads Association. Donovan, vice president of the Pacific Highway Association in Whatcom County, placed a motion before the crowd (enthusiastically carried) that the American and Canadian governments be asked to build a marble “peace arch” at the site to commemorate both the dedication of the highway and 100 years of peace between Great Britain and the United States. When the Pacific Highway was dedicated at the border north of Blaine in 1915, J. Initially developed in the 1930s, the park has the Peace Arch monument as its centerpiece, and is known for its attractive gardens, ethereal views, and open border. But the two are typically thought of as one, and the whole is known informally as Peace Arch Park. There are actually two parks - Peace Arch State Park in the United States and Peace Arch Provincial Park in Canada - and they adjoin each other along the border just east of Semiahmoo Bay. On holiday weekends and during the summer there might be lengthy delays for the border crossing, backing up past the 8 th Avenue exit on Highway 99.Peace Arch Park is a 43-acre park located on the U.S.-Canadian border between Blaine, Washington, and Douglas, British Columbia. There’s a large parking lot, a picnic area, and washrooms. Likewise if you drive to the end of Beach Road you’ve gone about a kilometre too far. If you go too far you’ll end up in the traffic heading south to Washington. Get in the right hand lane of traffic and turn at the sign for the Peace Arch Park near the duty free shop. Peace Arch Park is located off Beach Road in South Surrey, accessed from Highway 99 South. A few people have made a last minute decision to walk into Blaine to have lunch only to have an unhappy border patrol agent show up at the restaurant. ![]() Stay within the confines of the park and don’t keep walking south into Washington unless checking in with immigration at the border crossing. It is okay to go back and forth from Canada to America while walking around the Peace Arch and the gardens. Visitors to the Peace Arch do not need to cross customs, report to a border guard, or show a passport. A few steps away a monument commemorates the 150 years of friendship between Canada and the United States, signed by President Lyndon Johnson and Prime Minister Lester Pearson to the continued good will and peace between the two countries.Īnother monument has a plaque that reads: “The unfortified boundary line between the Dominion of Canada and the United States of America should quicken the remembrance of the more than a century old friendship between these countries. Visitors can stand with one leg in Canada and the other leg in the United States. Near the Peace Arch is an international boundary marker on the 49 th parallel. As far back as I can remember the gates were chained and padlocked to the monument otherwise people would be closing them all the time as a big joke!Ī plaque dedicated to the builder, Samuel Hill, commemorating his devotion to worldwide peace, unity, and good will can also be seen inside the arch. On each side of the arch’s interior, gates have been permanently attached with a plaque that reads: “May these gates never be closed”. On the American side the inscription reads: “Children of a common mother”. On the Canadian side of the Peace Arch an inscription reads: “Brethren dwelling together in unity”. It’s a nice place to go for a walk and admire the scenery, but the big attraction is the Peace Arch. The park has been creatively landscaped with trees, shrubs, flowers, and a well-manicured lawn. The Peace Arch was completed in 1921 on a section of land between the south and north bound highways. Peace Arch Provincial Park is in British Columbia, Canada, and International Peace Arch Park is where the monuments are located on the 49 th Parallel. Most people don’t realize there are two different parts of the park with two different names. To get a closer look at this structure, head to the aptly named Peace Arch Park in South Surrey, park your car, and walk the rest of the way.
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