Three Nations Crossing facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Three Nations Crossing |
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The former Canadian Border Station on Cornwall Island during the 2009 Akwesasne occupation
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| Location | |
| Country | United States; Canada |
| Location |
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| Coordinates | 44°59′26″N 74°44′22″W / 44.990602°N 74.739561°W |
| Details | |
| Opened | 1935 |
| US Phone | (315) 769-3091 |
| Canadian Phone | (613) 932-5875 |
| Hours | Open 24 Hours |
The Three Nations Crossing is a special place where the border between Canada and the United States can be crossed. It connects the city of Cornwall, in Ontario, Canada, to Rooseveltown, a small area near Massena, in New York State, United States.
This crossing is part of the Seaway International Bridge. This bridge goes over two parts of the St. Lawrence River. It crosses the water on both sides of Cornwall Island, which sits in the middle of the river. The entire bridge is about 4.7 kilometers (2.9 miles) long.
History of the Crossing
Early Days and Ferries
The town of Cornwall, Canada, became an official "port of entry" in 1800. This meant it was a designated place where people and goods could legally enter the country. For many years, starting in the late 1800s, people traveled between Cornwall and Massena by ferry boats.
Building the Bridges
In 1900, a railway bridge was built at Cornwall. This was a big deal because it was the only bridge across the St. Lawrence River between the Niagara River and Montreal at that time.
Later, in the 1920s, people started talking about adding a way for cars to use the railway bridge. In 1935, a road bridge was finally added next to the rail bridge. These new bridges were named the Roosevelt International Bridges.
In 1958, these older bridges were replaced with the Cornwall-Massena International Bridge. New border stations were also built at the same time. The northern part of the bridge was replaced again in 2014 to make it even better.
A New Name for a Special Place
In the year 2000, this international border crossing was given a new name: the Three Nations Crossing. This name was chosen to honor the Mohawk people of Akwesasne. The Akwesasne are an Indigenous group, also known as a First Nation, with a special territory that crosses both the United States and Canada.
Their land, called a reservation or reserve, is mostly in New York State. However, parts of it also reach into the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Quebec. The new name celebrates this important connection.
Images for kids
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New North Channel Bridge between Cornwall and Akwesasne in Ontario, Canada
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New 2014 bridge between Cornwall and Akwesasne, Ontario, Canada. New bridge is lower bridge. Old bridge is higher bridge. It is scheduled to be removed.
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July 2015: Demolition of Seaway International Bridge, which was replaced by the much lower North Channel Bridge
