And now we have some pictures of the infamous,
though poorly marked, Canusa Avenue. Location: Beebe Plain, VT --
Beebe, Quebec (also part of Stanstead).
#1 (014) -- Looking east down Canusa. Canada
is on the left. Quebec Autoroute sign is in America. Zoot
allors!!!
#2 (015) -- Similar shot, but you can see a bit of
US customs to the right.
#3 (016) -- Camera is further to the
east -- about halfway up the street. The approaching car (and the camera)
are in Vermont. Note that there is a warning sign on the Quebec side -- it
warns of an upcoming "arret" sign. Mon dieu!
#4 (017) -- Vermont street signs, looking
East.
#5 (018) -- From Vermont looking east. US
customs to right, Canada customs in centre. Canusa runs from left to
right.
#6 (023) -- Bonus shot -- inside Haskell Library
reading room -- looking west. Canada is on right.
# 7 -- Another DougBorderMap! This shows the
layout of Canusa. The rules are as such: Basically the road is like
a loop down from Quebec. Any cars travelling from & to Canada do not
have to stop at US or Canadian customs (which would be a problem as there is
only one set -- and you'd have to come back to report, and leave the country
again after doing so. An infinite loop!). The cars do enter the US,
but unless they stop at one of the homes on the south side, they can continue
on, without stopping.
Crossing the street means reporting to
customs. As the border is in the middle of the road, and there are
cameras, a crossing would be noted by authorities. The sidewalk however,
is only on the Canadian side.
US residents can enter their side of Canusa, but to
leave must go through Canada. As far as we could tell, they would have to
report at US Customs every time. But not to Canada Customs.
Markings are poor -- I saw only one, but was told
of a second at the eastern end of Canusa. One border official (US) said
that the entire street was probably in the USA. Riiight.
Utility lines seemed not to respect the border --
don't understand that one.
Anyway -- it was a neat place, but disappointing
because of the lack of marking. Still worth the visit!
Cheers,
Doug
Doug Murray Productions / Border Films
Vancouver
BC 604-728-1407
Best Vancouver excuse for being late for
work:
"A movie was being shot and they detained me for
continuity."