Canadian border station and staff at Boundary Bay, 1979
Travel commonly occurred near or along the shores of Boundary Bay between the respective international boundaries. To address the customs implications of such journeys, a customs office was established at Boundary Bay in 1914. E.T. Calvert conducted the initial customs role from his home about 3 kilometres (2mi) north of the boundary. His duties comprised patrolling the area by boat or on horseback.
In 1935, customs offices were built at the boundary on the main road and 2.2 kilometres (1.4mi) eastward at Beach Road (67 Street).[2] Having operated under the administrative oversight of the Port of New Westminster, the status was upgraded in 1948 to the Port of Boundary Bay.[3]
In 1975, the Beach Road post closed permanently.[4] The latest owner of this heritage building renovated the interior to accommodate a dental office.[5] In 1977, the main crossing approach was widened from one to two lanes.[4] In 2009, fugitive Ryan Alexander Jenkins walked across the porous border to enter BC.[6] Commercial goods are transported by vehicle under custom's seals between the US mainland and Point Roberts.[2] The CBSA office is open 24 hours.[7]
US side
In the early 1900s, customs officers rarely came to Point Roberts. From 1919, customs visits increased to two or three times a month. A canvas tent served as the temporary post. In 1934, a two-room wooden structure was built at the border and rented to customs. In 1936, Walter "Pa" Davis, was appointed the first Deputy Collector.
In 1941, the building and the one-acre site were purchased. In 1968, a slightly larger building was erected.
Prior to closure in 1975, the US only manned the small wooden structure at the eastward crossing of Meadow Lane intermittently.
In 1979, the main building was enlarged and two lanes added to the approach, one dedicated to trucks. By 1987, a new office added a lobby area and search room. The present facility, which opened in 1998,[4] won a design award.[8]
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