The Hyder–Stewart Border Crossing connects the communities of Hyder, Alaska, and Stewart, British Columbia, on the Canada–United States border. International Street on the American side joins British Columbia Highway 37A on the Canadian side.
| Hyder-Stewart Border Crossing | |
|---|---|
 The US-Canada Boundary at Hyder, Alaska | |
| Location | |
| Country | United States; Canada |
| Location |
|
| Coordinates | 55°54′43″N 130°01′04″W / 55.912017°N 130.017807°W |
| Details | |
| Opened | 1910 |
| Hours | 7:00am – midnight (May 1 - September 30) 8:00AM - midnight (October 1 - April 30) |
| (video telephone reporting after hours) | |
| Website Canadian | |
Canadian side
editW. Millar was the inaugural customs officer 1910–1912. The Port of Prince Rupert provided administrative oversight.[1] In 1919, the province extended the 1.8-kilometre (1.1 mi) approach to complete a 3.4-kilometre (2.1 mi) road from Stewart to the border at Hyder.[2] Although contemplated in 1925, it is unclear if the relocation of the customs office from Stewart to the border occurred at that time.[3] In 1928, the road was widened.[4]
In 1985, the border station closed.[5] Over subsequent years, cocaine and firearms smuggling created challenges for the local RCMP detachment.[6] By the early 2000s, the station had reopened.[7]
In April 2015, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) closed the border station between midnight and 8am Pacific. A steel gate blocked the only road across to Hyder. To address protests from Hyder residents, who rely upon Stewart for medical care and mainland road access, crossings for emergency services were permitted.[8][9] The change also inconvenienced people wishing to cross the border early, such as mine workers and tourists.[10] Following discussions between US and Canadian officials, the road reopened for 24-hour access that June, with a requirement that crossings be reported to CBSA at a video telephone installation.[11][12]
In 2020, the former border hours of 8am–midnight reduced, becoming 8am–4:30pm.[13]
US side
editIn 1920, although George Woodruff was expected to be the inaugural customs officer,[14][15] E.R. Silvers in fact assumed the role. In 1923, the office was upgraded to a port of entry.[16]
In the late 1970s, the US closed its border station, which was located in the same building as the Boundary Gift Shop. This is the only land border crossing where a person may legally enter the US without reporting to US border inspection.[5][17] As a result, all flights leaving the Hyder Seaplane Base to other cities in Alaska are treated as international arrivals, and any passenger (including Hyder residents) may be inspected by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.[18] Hyder is the easternmost community in Alaska.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Legg, Herbert (1962). Customs Services in Western Canada, 1867–1925. The Creston Review Ltd. pp. 243–244.
- ^ "Daily Colonist". www.archive.org. 28 Dec 1919. p. 31.
- ^ "Portland Canal News". www.library.ubc.ca. 20 Nov 1925. p. 1.
- ^ "Minister of Public Works annual report 1927–28". www.library.ubc.ca. p. 41 (U23).
- ^ a b "Prince George Citizen". www.pgnewspapers.pgpl.ca. 30 Jan 1985. p. 24.
- ^ "Prince George Citizen". www.pgnewspapers.pgpl.ca. 27 Sep 1989. p. 25.
- ^ "Prince George Citizen". www.pgnewspapers.pgpl.ca. 13 Oct 2001. p. 39.
- ^ Armstrong, Matt (2015-04-02). "Hyder mayor: Canada silent on border road closure". KETCHIKAN DAILY NEWS. Retrieved 2016-01-02.
- ^ "B.C.-Alaska nighttime border closure cuts off tiny U.S. town". www.cbc.ca. 2015-04-05. Retrieved 2016-04-13.
- ^ Killen, Anna (2015-04-01). "In pictures: Stewart, B.C. and Hyder, Alaska residents protest border closure". Terrace Standard. Retrieved 2016-04-13.
- ^ Kheiry, Leila (2015-05-20). "Hyder border to reopen for 24-hour access". KBRD. Retrieved 2016-04-13.
- ^ "Tiny B.C.-Alaska border crossing gets overnight telephone check-in". www.cbc.ca. 2015-06-25. Retrieved 2016-04-13.
- ^ "Fact Sheet: COVID-19 – Additional temporary service reductions at select Canadian ports of entry". www.canada.ca. 3 Jul 2020.
- ^ "Portland Canal News". www.library.ubc.ca. 18 Jun 1919. p. 4.
- ^ "Portland Canal News". www.library.ubc.ca. 7 Feb 1920. p. 2.
- ^ "Portland Canal News". www.library.ubc.ca. 15 Jun 1923. p. 4.
- ^ Levin, Dan (July 3, 2016). "An Alaskan Village Where Grizzlies Roam and Canada Rules (if Anyone Does)". New York Times.
- ^ "13 strange facts about the town of Hyder Alaska". 11 September 2014. Retrieved 2014-10-12.