Oregon Treaty of 1846 National Historic Event
Surrey, British Columbia
Oregon Treaty of 1846
(© Free)
Address :
Route 99, Douglas, Surrey, British Columbia
Recognition Statute:
Historic Sites and Monuments Act (R.S.C., 1985, c. H-4)
Designation Date:
1946-05-15
Other Name(s):
-
Oregon Treaty of 1846
(Designation Name)
Importance:
Established the 49th parallel as the United States - Canada border west of Rockies
Plaque(s)
Existing plaque: near International Boundary, Peace Arch Provincial Park Route 99, Surrey, British Columbia
In 1819 an international agreement provided for the joint Anglo-American occupation of the Oregon Territory-the country west of the Rocky Mountains between 42ºN and 54º 40' N. By 1843, however, the conflicting claims of American settlers and British fur traders raised the threat of war between the two powers. The dispute was settled peacefully by the Oregon Treaty, signed on 15 June, 1846, which established the boundary along the 49th parallel to salt water, and thence through the Strait of Juan de Fuca to the Pacific Ocean.