The Yellow Line That Divides Two Nations

A Town Split Down the Middle

On Canusa Street, the yellow centerline isn’t just a traffic divider—it’s the international border. Running 0.38 miles through Beebe Plain, Vermont, and Stanstead, Quebec, this stretch of Quebec Route 247 places Canada on one side of the street and the United States on the other.

Daily Life Across a Border

The 14 homes along this stretch face unique restrictions. Residents must follow strict border rules—even walking across the street requires reporting to customs. Decades ago, neighbors could cross freely; now, failure to report a crossing can result in arrest.

The World’s Only Dual-Nation Post Office

At the street’s western end stands a granite building that once served as an international post office. Built in the 1820s, it had two doors and two service counters—one for each country—but just one postmaster.

The Border Today

Since the early 2000s, security has intensified. After 9/11, the Trump administration’s policies, and the COVID-19 pandemic, pedestrian crossings plummeted. Canusa Street, once casual and connected, is now one of the most tightly watched border zones in North America.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top