Monday, September 09, 2013

The American Town That's Secretly Canadian

The geographically isolated town of Hyder, Alaska functions as America’s only de facto outpost of Canada.


 All businesses (except the post office) price stuff in Canadian dollars, and take “Victoria Day” and “Boxing Day” off every year. Clocks are set to British Columbia time, the electricity comes from a B.C. utility, and the nearest police are Mounties. It’s the only place in Alaska not to use the state’s 907 area code—even Hyder’s phone numbers have joined in the open treason, and begin with a Canadian code, 250. Kids can be taught at home or bundled off to boarding school in Ketchikan, but many parents choose the dubious indoctrination of the Canadian public school system instead, especially up to the sixth grade.

More at CondeNast Traveler

8 comments:

  1. Was there some 30 years ago, in the bar. Nice to see it again!

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  2. You might have a look at Angle Inlet, MN where you have to pass through customs twice to get back to the U.S.

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  3. Thanks Scott. I hope those border crossings are not as busy as ours at Queenston-Lewiston.

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  4. The surrounding scenery looks very wild,SG. You're lucky you didn't get eaten by a bear!

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  5. Anonymous5:57 pm

    Then there is Point Roberts, Washington -- only accessible via Canada or boat. Home to the new coach of the Canucks (who is a US citizen).

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  6. The friendliest ghost town in Alaska and it borders my hometown. I spent a lot of time in Hyder when I was a kid. A lot of great memories that I'll always cherish.

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  7. I'd never heard of Hyder before this week. Thanks for the comment, Sunshine.

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