Life on the Line at Derby Line, Vermont

In the case of the town/s of Derby Line, Vermont/Stanstead, Quebec, the border runs right through the community, cutting through the street grid, and even buildings as well, creating an unusual international zone, where behavior is affected in some interesting ways.In the two-sided town of Derby Line/Stanstead there are two streets that cross the line without any checkpoints. Technically, any time anyone crosses the international line, they are subject to having to report, in person, to a port of entry inspection station for the country they are entering. This makes traffic on the streets that cross the line without a checkpoint, Maple Street/Rue Ball and Pelow Hill/Rue Lee, fairly light, as it is more convenient to cross at Main Street/Rue Dufferin, where checkpoints are often set up for “drive thru” service.

This appears to be Pelow Hill Rd. USA at the stop sign going left or right is Caswell Ave.  After leaving the U.S. the name changes to Lee Rd. or in French as Rue Lee.

This barrier put in place on Rue Lee (Lee Rd. and Maple St.) separates the town of Stanstead from Derby Line

When the international line crosses through a building, a different set of rules applies. Residents of the small apartment building in Derby Line/Stanstead do not need to report if they cross the line inside the building. They only need to report if they leave out the side of the building that opens on to a different country than the one they entered the building from. The building’s interior ends up being an international space, a bubble in the otherwise nearly infinitely thin international line.The most prominent building on the line is the Haskell Free Library and Opera House. It was built intentionally on the border in 1901, as a gift to the community, and a symbol of international harmony. The entrances, one leading into the library, and the other heading up the stairs to the opera house/theater, however, are in the United States.

 
The Haskell Free Library and Opera House which is in use today.


Haskell Free Library and Opera House.


The library reading area and yes that black line is the border.


Two ladies in the library enjoying a cup of coffee (international roast blend??)


Up stairs to the Opera House.


A must have photo for all of the tourists.


Map of the border cutting through the buildings.


Canusa Avenue in Quebec. Canada is on the left, the USA on the right. (Photo: Doug Murray)
Canusa Avenue (Can - USA) those living in the their homes in the U.S. in order to go to work (or drive any where) must enter Canada as Canusa Ave. is owned and maintain by Stanstead Quebec

After 9-11 these two border towns have been turned upside down as the U.S. Homeland Security and the Border Patrol (ICE) have clamped down on the locals movement between the two countries.  As you might suspect those living there (Border Line/Stanstead) have relatives on both sides of the border making it a hassle to visit especially when they live within walking distance yet have to drive to a border check point.  This has been especially difficult on the young people of the two towns.


Forbidden teen lovers (according to Immigration and Naturalization) forced to meet on the sly at the library.

Facing an Uptick in Crime, a Canadian Border Town "Secures" Its Last Open Crossing Into Vermont

But here’s a twist: It wasn’t the U.S. Border Patrol that insisted on the stopgap measure that will likely become more permanent; the call for tighter security came from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. 

That’s because Canada arguably has more reason for concern. According to a 2010 threat assessment report from the Integrated Border Enforcement Team — a cooperative force of agents from both sides of the border — 2009 marked the third consecutive year in which more people were detained for illegally crossing the border with the intention of entering Canada rather than the United States. Authorities say many of those caught are seeking asylum in a country largely regarded as friendlier to immigrants than its neighbor to the south.

Stanstead and Derby Line have long shared municipal services such as water and sewer lines. Residents recall the days when crisscrossing the international boundary was as simple as a smile and a wave to the border guards. But security along the 4000-mile northern border tightened after September 11, 2001.

DYI