Editor’s Note: This article is part of Puget Press’ “Hidden Washington” series, where we highlight the fascinating places, forgotten history, and little-known stories hiding in plain sight across the Evergreen State.
Most Americans have never heard of Point Roberts, Washington. If someone showed you a map of it for the first time, you’d probably assume it was a misprint.
This tiny community of around 1,300 residents sits at the very southern tip of a peninsula attached to British Columbia. By land, it’s completely cut off from the rest of the United States.
If residents want to drive to the nearest American city, they have to:
- Leave the United States.
- Enter Canada.
- Drive through British Columbia.
- Re-enter the United States.
Yes, really.
And yes, this little slice of America even has its own international border crossing.
The obvious question is: Why?
And perhaps an even better question is: Why don’t we just give it to Canada already?
The answer involves old treaties, strategic military thinking, salmon, and the fact that international borders are much harder to redraw than your average map.
Wait… This Place Actually Exists?
Point Roberts occupies about five square miles at the end of the Tsawwassen Peninsula in Whatcom County.
It’s physically attached to Canada, not the rest of Washington.
The nearest major city is actually Vancouver, British Columbia, which is less than an hour away. The nearest American city, Blaine, requires crossing two international borders to reach by car.
One Reddit user summed up the situation perfectly: “Imagine living that close to Canada, with no direct route to the US and having to go into Canada to do literally anything.”
Another simply mused: “It must be a pain in the ass.”
The Entire Thing Exists Because Someone Drew A Straight Line
The short answer to why Point Roberts belongs to the United States is surprisingly simple: The 49th parallel.
In 1846, the United States and Great Britain signed the Oregon Treaty, establishing much of today’s U.S.-Canada border along the 49th parallel.
Diplomats essentially agreed that the border would run west in a straight line until it reached the water.
Unfortunately, maps of the Pacific Northwest weren’t nearly as detailed as they are today. The treaty line happened to cut across the base of the Tsawwassen Peninsula, leaving its southern tip below the 49th parallel.
That southern tip became American territory, and thus Point Roberts was born.
So Why Didn’t They Just Fix It?
You’d think that once everyone realized this weird little chunk of land had been stranded from the rest of the country, the two governments would’ve simply swapped it.
That almost happened. Historical accounts suggest British officials later floated the idea of adjusting the border and taking Point Roberts in exchange for other land.
The United States wasn’t interested.
At the time, Point Roberts had potential strategic value.
In the mid-1800s, Britain and the United States weren’t exactly best friends. The War of 1812 was still fresh in people’s memories, and the possibility of future conflict wasn’t out of the question.
Point Roberts sits near the entrance to Boundary Bay and close to the mouth of the Fraser River.
Some historians and local researchers argue that holding Point Roberts gave the United States strategic advantages and valuable fishing access.
Over time, salmon canneries and fishing operations became important parts of Point Roberts’ economy.
The little peninsula turned out to be more useful than it initially appeared.
Why Don’t We Give It To Canada Now?
Fast forward nearly 180 years. The United States and Canada are allies. Nobody expects naval battles in the Salish Sea.
So… why not hand it over?
Because changing international borders is incredibly complicated.
It isn’t just moving a line on a map. There are homes, property deeds. mortgages, citizenship questions, and taxes.
Not to mention schools, businesses, law enforcement, and voting rights.
And perhaps most importantly, there are actual people living there.
As one Reddit user put it:
“At this point though everyone who lives there chose to, and some of them likely would not be too happy if their homes suddenly became part of Canada instead of the U.S.”
Another pointed out: “Imagine there’s a mortgage with a bank that doesn’t do business in Canada. I imagine even the minor things are wildly complicated.”
That’s probably the best explanation.
The weirdness of Point Roberts is easier to live with than untangle.
Living In America’s Geographic Oddball
Despite its unusual location, Point Roberts isn’t just a curiosity on a map. It’s home.
Residents have grocery stores, a marina, parks, beaches, and a small elementary school.
But life there can be… complicated.
Older students often travel to schools in Blaine.
That means crossing into Canada, driving through British Columbia, and re-entering the United States. Twice a day.
One former resident recalled having to wait for hours at the border crossing.
Yet another described the school commute as: “1.5-2 hours on the bus each day.”
Suddenly your own commute doesn’t seem so bad.
The Day Point Roberts Became An Island
The community’s unusual geography became a major problem during the COVID-19 pandemic. When the border closed, Point Roberts was effectively cut off.
Residents couldn’t simply drive through Canada as they always had.
Temporary ferry services were eventually created to help residents access the rest of Washington, but the pandemic exposed just how dependent Point Roberts is on cross-border travel.
America’s Convenience Store For Canada
For decades, Point Roberts has also functioned as something of an American outpost for nearby Canadians.
Canadians routinely crossed the border to:
- Buy cheaper gas
- Pick up packages
- Visit grocery stores
- Spend weekends at cottages
One Redditor summed it up: “Drive down, get cheap gas, pick up your package, come back up again.”
Another called Point Roberts “basically a gated community with the border services as the HOA security.”
And perhaps the most succinct explanation: “CHEAP GASOLINE.”
Many gas stations in Point Roberts even advertise prices in liters instead of gallons because so many customers come from British Columbia.
That’s how intertwined the community has become with its Canadian neighbors.
The Witness Protection Rumor
No discussion of Point Roberts is complete without mentioning one of its strangest legends.
Ask enough people about the town and eventually someone will tell you it’s full of people in witness protection.
There is no public evidence supporting the claim.
But the rumor persists because Point Roberts is, admittedly, an unusual place to disappear.
By land, you have to cross an international border to get there.
As one commenter joked: “Some mobster with a Glock can’t just saunter into town.”
Whether true or not, the story has become part of Point Roberts’ folklore.
Maybe The Real Answer Is…
After diving into treaties, military strategy, geography, and border law, some internet users arrived at perhaps a much simpler explanation:
“Honestly, at this point it’s because it’s funny.”
