Peace Monuments 1915-1992 Related to US/Canadian Friendship

The United States and Canada have the longest common border in the world. The terrestrial boundary (including small portions of maritime boundaries on the Atlantic, Pacific, and Arctic coasts, as well as the Great Lakes) is 8,891 kilometres (5,522 miles) long. The border has been unmilitarized (unfortified) since 1814.

See special section below about SunSweep by sculptor David Barr.
Click here for a website about boundary markers on the international border (49th parallel). | Click here for Wikipedia article on the US/Canada border.

Right click image to enlarge.

Date? - Monument on US/Canadian border, but where? Photo taken from a passing train?

Date? - US/Canadian border, Hyder, Alaska (USA). "At the Canadian border at the edge of Hyder was a small stone building with a marker describing it as the first masonry building in Alaska. It was built as a military warehouse, but has been used for various things. Next to it is a bronze marker, like a miniature Washington Monument, marking the US-Canada border. Lots of other signs marked the border, too." // "Hyder is a census-designated place (CDP) in Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area. At the 2000 census the population was 97. Hyder has achieved fame as a point in Alaska accessible to automobile & motorbike travelers in Canada who want to say that they have been to Alaska. Hyder is also recognized as the easternmost town in Alaska... Hyder is notable for being the only place in Alaska not to use the state-wide 907 area code, instead using the area code of 250 allocated for British Columbia. Tourists will also find that Hyder uses Canadian time, the common currency is Canadian, they observe Canadian holidays, send their children to Canadian schools, and if you call the police a Canadian Mountie will respond."

June 13, 1915 - Perry's Victory & International Peace Memorial, Put-in-Bay, South Bass Island, Ohio (USA). "Established to honor those who fought in the Battle of Lake Erie, during the war of 1812, but in equal part it is here to celebrate the long-lasting peace between Britain, Canada, and the US." Closed for repairs 2009-2012.

September 6, 1921 - International Peace Arch, Peace Arch Park, US/Canadian Border, Blaine, Washington (USA), & Douglas, British Columbia (Canada). Commemorates the centennial of the Treaty of Ghent which ended the War of 1812 between the US & Great Britain. Click here for the Wikipedia article. Entry #1211 in the "Peace Movement Directory" by James Richard Bennett (2001).

Date? - Peace Arch, Peace Arch Park, US/Canadian border. What is this? Added to the park after 2000?

1922 - Fountain of Time, Midway Plaisance Park, Cottage Grove Avenue, Washington Park, Chicago, Illinois (USA). Commemorates century of peace between Great Britain & the US. Sculptor Lorado Taft [1860-1936] took 14 years to complete what was called the "largest single group of statuary in existence." Entry #270 in the "Peace Movement Directory" by James Richard Bennett (2001).

August 7, 1927 - Peace Bridge, Niagara River, US/Canadian Border between Buffalo, New York (USA), & Fort Erie, Ontario (Canada). A "dramatic state-of-the-art, $1.2 million LED lighting system replaced the current avian unfriendly up-lighting" at the end of 2008. Entry #1208 in the "Peace Movement Directory" by James Richard Bennett (2001).

C R O S S

November 11, 1927 - Canadian Cross of Sacrifice, Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia (USA). "A bronze sword adorning a 24-foot gray granite cross designed by Canadian architect Sir Reginald Bloomfield [1856-1942]." From cemetery website: "Few countries enjoy the bonds of goodwill & friendship that the US & Canada share. Our common border remains the longest unguarded frontier on earth, and our nations have shared triumphs and tragedies throughout history. It was in this spirit of friendship that in 1925 Canadian PM MacKenzie King [1874-1950] first proposed a memorial to the large number of US citizens who enlisted in the Canadian Armed Forces, and lost their lives during WW-I. Because Canada entered the war long before the USA, many Americans enlisted in Canada to join the fighting in Europe." /// Lower image shows Cross of Sacrifice, Bayeux War Cemetery (France). Also by Canadian architect Sir Reginald Bloomfield [1856-1942]. "Usually present in Commonwealth war cemeteries containing 40 or more graves. It is normally a freestanding four point limestone Latin cross in one of three sizes ranging in height from 18 to 32 feet."

June 12, 1930 - Shrine Peace Memorial, Exposition Park, 2 Strachan Avenue, Toronto, Ontario (Canada). "Presented to the people of Canada by Imperial Potentate, Noble Leo V. Youngworth, on behalf of the 600,000 members of the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (Shriners) to commemorate the peaceful relationships existing for over a century between Canada and the United States." Entry #1333 in the "Peace Movement Directory" by James Richard Bennett (2001).

June 18, 1932 - Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, Alberta (Canada) & Montana (USA). "Oldest international peace park [sic]." Established on the initiative of Rotary International. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995. Upper image is cover of Saturday Evening Post for August 5, 1961, showing a happy family on the international border. Click here for Wikipedia article. Entry #1210 in the "Peace Movement Directory" by James Richard Bennett (2001).

2007 - Peace Exhibit, Goat Haunt Ranger Station, Glacier National Park (USA). At south end of Upper Waterton Lake. No road access! "Visitors can view a new International Peace Park exhibit at Goat Haunt. The exhibits explore the history of the Peace Park - the world's first - as well as the meanings of peace in the world." ["Celebrating 75 Years of Peace & Friendship," National Park Service, July 19, 2007].

2007? - Peace Exhibit, Waterton Lakes National Park (Canada). At north end of Upper Waterton Lake. Peace Exhibit exists according to Nigel & Antonia Young.

July 14, 1932 - International Peace Garden, Dunseith, North Dakota (USA) and Boissevain, Manitoba (Canada). "2,339 acre botanical garden on the world’s longest unfortified border." Includes two 20-story concrete Peace Towers, Peace Chapel, and 9/11 Memorial. Click here for Wikipedia article. Entry #1209 in the "Peace Movement Directory" by James Richard Bennett (2001).

April 29, 1935 - Rush-Bagot Memorial Tablet, Columbia Residences (former Columbia Hospital for Women), 2425 L Street, NW, Washington, DC (USA). Marks place where the Rush-Bagot agreement was signed April 18-19, 1817, to bring about the removal of armed vessels from the Great Lakes. Erected by Kiwanis International. Entry #1162 in the "Peace Movement Directory" by James Richard Bennett (2001).

June 17, 1940 - Peace Carillon, Belle Isle Park, Detroit River, Detroit, Michigan (USA). 85-foot tower designed by Clarence Day. Funds raised by journalist Nancy Brown who wrote a column for the Detroit News called "Experience" from 1919 to 1942 The 49-bell carillon was restored and computer automated in 2005. Entry #498 in the "Peace Movement Directory" by James Richard Bennett (2001).

1941 - International Peace Monument (Bench), Belle Isle Park, Detroit River, Detroit, Michigan (USA). Carved on the back of the bench are an eagle with 13 stars for the US and a crown and lion for Canada. Entry #494 in the "Peace Movement Directory" by James Richard Bennett (2001).

August 4, 1957 - "Unfortified Bountry" Monument, Mile 1223, International Border, (US & Canada). One of about 30 such monuments placed by Kiwanis International over a number of years. Inscription: "This 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, a lesson of peace to all nations. Erected August 4 1957, Kiwanis International."

July 17, 1958 - Peace Monument, Robert Moses-Robert H. Saunders Power House & Dam, St. Lawrence-Franklin Deleno Roosevelt Power Project, St. Lawrence River between Massena, New York (USA), and Cornwall, Ontario (Canada). The dam's 32 turbine-generators are divided equally by the international border, with the two sections operated independently by the New York Power Authorty (NYPA) and Ontario Power Generation (OPG). Queen Elizabeth II dedicated the monument on the international border inside the power house.

August 20, 1964 - Roosevelt Campobello International Park, Campobello Island, New Brunswick (Canada). Left image shows the 34-room Roosevelt Cottage in what is now the international park. The l,l58 hectare (2,800 acre) park also contains "Sunsweep," stone monument by sculptor David Barr. NB: Only bridge to Campobello Island is from Maine (USA). Entry #1264 in the "Peace Movement Directory" by James Richard Bennett (2001).

1976 - Carilion Bell Tower, International Peace Garden, Dunseith, North Dakota (USA), and Boissevain, Manitoba (Canada). Construted by North Dakota veterans as a US Bicentennial project. Contains bells made in England in 1932 but not donated to the Peace Garden until 1969.

1977 - 13-cent stamp commemorating "Peace Bridge 1927-77." Fiftieth anniversary of the Peace Bridge between Buffalo, New York (USA), and Port Erie, Ontario (Canada).

1977 - 12-cent stamp commemorating "Peace Bridge 1927-77." Fiftieth anniversary of the Peace Bridge between Buffalo, New York (USA), and Port Erie, Ontario (Canada).

1979 - Kluane-Wrangell-St. Elias-Glacier Bay-Tatshenshini-Alsek. This is a "transfrontalier park system" located at the borders of Yukon Territory (Canada), Alaska (USA) & British Columbia (Canada). It is declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site for the spectacular glacier and icefield landscapes as well as for the importance of grizzly bears, caribou and Dall sheep habitat. The total area of the site is over 32,000,000 acres (130,000 km²). Entry #1212 in the "Peace Movement Directory" by James Richard Bennett (2001).

July 14, 1982 - 20-cent postage stamp commemorating the 50th anniversary of the International Peace Garden, Dunseith, North Dakota (USA) and Boissevain, Manitoba (Canada).

1982 Peace Towers, International Peace Garden, Dunseith, North Dakota (USA) and Boissevain, Manitoba (Canada). 120 foot (36.6 meters) tall with four columns representing people from the four corners of the world coming together to form two similar but distinct nations with a common base of democracy and beliefs.

SunSweep by sculptor David Barr. Three stone monuments spanning 2,778 miles of the international border between the USA & Canada.

1985 - Lighthouse Marine Park, Point Roberts, Washington (USA). In US but accessible by road only from Canada. Entry #1049 in the "Peace Movement Directory" by James Richard Bennett (2001).

1985 - American Point Island, Lake-of-the-Woods, Minnesota (USA). In lake between the two nations and acessible only by water. Entry #512 in the "Peace Movement Directory" by James Richard Bennett (2001).

1985 - Roosevelt Campobello International Park, Weshpool, New Brunswick (Canada). In Canada but accesible only by road from the US. Entry #1265 in the "Peace Movement Directory" by James Richard Bennett (2001).

1992 - Charlie Brooks Memorial Peace Fountain, Detroit River, Windsor, Ontario (Canada). At former Coventry Gardens. "Floats in the Detroit River and has a coloured light display at night. The fountain is the largest of its kind in North America and symbolizes the peaceful relationship between Canada and the USA." Entry #1342 in the "Peace Movement Directory" by James Richard Bennett (2001).

1993? - Pacific Crest Trail Monuments, on US/Canadian Border (Washington & British Columbia) & on US/Mexican border (California & ______). Identical wooden monuments 2,650 miles apart at each end of the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT).

October 20, 2001 - Gateway to Freedom, Hart Plaza, Detroit, Michigan (USA). Depicts a group of slaves on US soil looking towards Canada and freedom. Detroit was on the central route to freedom, the "underground railroad." Sculpted by Ed Dwight. A collaboration of "Detroit 300" & the International Underground Railroad Monument Collaborative.

October 20, 2001 - Tower of Freedom, 100 Pitt Street East, Windsor, Ontario (Canada). "Faces the Gateway to Freedom monument across the Detroit River and together are called the International Memorial to the Underground Railroad. A 22 foot tower with a bronze Flame of Freedom created by Denver based sculptor Ed Dwight. The monument honours the harrowing journey made by thousands in search of freedom and pays tribute to Ontario’s role in the Underground Railroad."

August 27, 2007 - "In Unity We Soar," Blaine High School, Blaine, Washington (USA). Moved permanent to the high school after temporary exposition at the Peace Arch.

2012 - Batavia International Peace Garden, Holland Land Office Museum, Main Street, Batavia, New York (USA). "Sunday [September 11, 2011] was a day of sadness & celebration in Batavia. Americans & a representative of the government of Canada gathered to remember the nearly 3,000 people who died on September 11, 2001. Americans & their Canadian friend also participated in groundbreaking for the Batavia International Peace Garden. Marta Moszczenska, consul general of the Canadian Consulate in Buffalo, was keynote speaker for the day. Moszczenska said the Peace Garden is a symbol of the 'legacy of peace' between America & Canada. The garden is slated for dedication in 2012."