The Peace Arch is a 67-foot (20.4-meter) tall triumphal arch located at the international boundary between the United States and Canada, situated on the border between Blaine, Washington, and Surrey, British Columbia. Completed in 1921, it was designed by American sculptor Launitus Berquist and commemorates the signing of the Treaty of Ghent in 1814, which ended the War of 1812 between the United States and the United Kingdom. The monument symbolizes the longstanding peace and friendship between the United States and Canada.
The arch is positioned directly on the 49th parallel, the primary boundary line between the two nations as defined by the Oregon Treaty of 1846. It is set within Peace Arch Park, which is divided into two sections—one on each side of the border—known as Peace Arch State Park (Washington) and Peace Arch Provincial Park (British Columbia). The parks and monument are maintained collaboratively by both nations and are among the few international parks in the world.
Inscriptions on the Peace Arch reflect its symbolic meaning: on the American side, it reads “Children of a Common Mother,” referring to the shared British heritage; on the Canadian side, it says “Brethren Dwell Together in Unity,” taken from Psalm 133:1. Additional inscriptions include “1814 Open One Century 1914,” marking the centennial of peace between the two nations.
The Peace Arch Border Crossing, one of the busiest crossings between the U.S. and Canada, is located adjacent to the monument. While the arch itself is a symbolic structure, it serves as a prominent landmark and a site for cultural and ceremonial events promoting international harmony.
The monument is accessible to visitors, though crossing between the U.S. and Canadian sections of the park requires passing through standard border controls.