Point Roberts for Newcomers
or How to Survive on the Point Without Going Insane
Welcome
So you decided to move to Point Roberts Washington. Welcome newcomer to this exciting chapter of your life. We have small but very diverse and welcoming community. Before you settle in to your cozy new home and venture out into the community you may want to do a little research on where you live. Taking the time to learn about the Point and all of it’s idiosyncrasies will help you survive the trials and tribulations to come from living in a small, rural community that can at times be very isolating. “Point Roberts for Newcomers” is an attempt at consolidating information that may be useful to you when you first move to the Point. If you wish to contribute something new or recommend changes or corrections to this document then send email to: preventcalendars@gmail.com. We may not respond to all emails or make all the changes you recommend but we will read through them and continue to include the most accurate information we can provide.
First some basics. Point Roberts is a pene-exclave which means that it is a piece of land (Point Roberts, Washington US where your home is located) that is part of another piece of land (the rest of Washington State, US) separated by water (US Territorial Waters) but is connected to someone else’s piece of land (British Columbia, Canada) and the only way you can get back and forth to your home by vehicle is through the other persons land (British Columbia, Canada). Sound a little confusing….some basic history of Point Roberts can help.
A Very Short History Of Point Roberts
We are not a town or a city but a rural district (stress rural). We do not have sidewalks, stop lights, street lights, no city hall, no mayor, no city council. We do not have a lot of things you would normally find in a town or a city. We are also not a mistake made on the map and anyone who implies that is liable to get into a arguement with long time residents. Knowing the history of a place can really help you understand why things are the way they are and Point Roberts does have a history. Here is a main excerpt from the thumbnail history published by Phil Doughert in 2009 for the Historical Society.
“Point Roberts was a favored fishing spot for Native American bands and tribes -- such as the Cowichan, Lummi, Saanich, and Semiahmoo -- for thousands of years before the first European explorers spied the point in 1791. Indians set up summer camps there every year when the salmon were running, though due to its exposure few lived there year-round.
In 1791, Spanish explorer Francisco Eliza (1759-1825) mistook Point Roberts for an island and named it Isla de Zepeda. The following year two other Spanish explorers, Dionisio Galiano (1760-1825) and Cayetano Valdes (1767-1835), realized Eliza’s mistake and renamed the spot Punta Cepeda. But at the same time British explorer George Vancouver (1758-1798) passed through the area (actually meeting up with the Spanish explorers) and gave Point Roberts its present name as a tribute to his friend Henry Roberts, who had been Vancouver’s predecessor in command of the British expedition.
In 1846 Great Britain and the United States signed the Oregon Treaty, establishing the 49th parallel as the boundary between United States territory to the south and British territory to the north, from the Strait of Georgia east to the Continental Divide in northwestern Montana (an exception was made for Vancouver Island, which became entirely British). But it turned out that the lower part of the Tsawwassen Peninsula dipped down into the United States, and though there has been occasional talk over the years, sometimes serious, more often not, about making Point Roberts part of Canada, it hasn’t happened.
The Fraser River Gold Rush in 1858 set off a stampede of prospectors bound for the lower mainland of British Columbia, and Point Roberts became a jumping-off place for some of them. A little village sprang up on the western shore of the peninsula, but almost as quickly withered away a year later when the gold rush turned to dust. Later that same year, in September 1859, the United States established a military reserve at Point Roberts, though no military personnel or equipment ever went there. Instead, development essentially froze for the next three decades.
Point Roberts evolved into almost a no-man’s land, a dangerous haven for smugglers and otherwise lawless men, where you could find trouble easily if you wanted. During the 1870s, despite the risks, a few homesteaders moved to the point. John Harris (d. 1883) -- believed to be the first permanent settler in Point Roberts -- arrived about 1873 and raised cattle there; a few other settlers arrived later in the 1870s, and in 1879 the Pacific Fishing Company established the first store and trading point.
Fishing and Farming
In 1892 the U.S. government vacated the reserve, clearing the way for real development, although Point Roberts was not fully opened to homesteading until 1908 (with the exception of its southwestern corner, which was set aside for a lighthouse station that was never built). A town formed in the western part, and in its earliest years attracted a significant number of people of Icelandic descent. Many of these families had been living in Victoria, B.C., before coming to Point Roberts in the 1890s in search of better economic opportunities. Some farmed and others worked for the canneries. The little community within a community grew and by 1904 there were 93 residents of Icelandic descent living in Point Roberts, representing about half of the town’s population. In 1904 Point Roberts also had 23 houses, two general stores, a hotel, a post office, and a saloon.
On the southeastern shore, Edmund Wadhams (1833-1900) built a cannery in 1893 at what is today (2009) Lily Point. Late that year he sold the cannery to the Alaska Packers Association (APA), which assumed management operations by the spring of 1894. On the western shore, about half a mile south of the Canadian border, the George and Barker Packing Company commenced operations in 1900. Various entrepreneurs set up fish traps in the waters offshore, providing residents with another source of employment. Small farms also developed on the point, though the land was not particularly favorable for farming.
During the 1910s road construction accelerated. The first road linking Point Roberts with Canada, now known as Tyee Drive, was finished by 1919, which led to Point Robert’s first United States border “station” -- a tent tossed over a fallen log, staffed only a few times a month. Finally, in 1934, a real customs building, consisting of two rooms, was built at the border crossing. A second border crossing existed closer to Maple Beach, east of the primary crossing, during the 1960s and into the 1970s, but closed in 1975.
By the late 1910s the annual salmon runs in the waters around Point Roberts were becoming depleted. This had a direct impact on the fishing industry: The APA closed its cannery in 1917, and George and Barker closed its cannery in 1929. Then in 1934 fish traps were outlawed in Washington state, sounding the death knell for the fishing industry at Point Roberts. Some efforts at farming continued, but thanks to the poor quality of the soil, these were not successful, and by the 1950s most of the farms had disappeared. To further add to the community’s woes, the grade school that had operated since 1893 was closed in 1963 and its students had to be bused to Blaine, more than 25 miles away. (In 1992 a school for kindergarten to second grade reopened.)
A Canadian Change
During the 1950s a great change came to Point Roberts from its neighbors to the north. Canadians had bought land on the point from its early days, but in 1953 they were officially given the right by state statute to purchase land in Washington state. In 1959 a four-lane tunnel opened under the south arm of the Fraser River at Deas Island south of Vancouver, making it easy for Vancouverites to travel to Point Roberts. These events led to an influx of Canadians purchasing land from broke farmers, and by 1970 more than half of the town’s permanent residents were Canadian. That figure has lessened slightly to 40 percent today, but Canadians still own nearly half of the property in Point Roberts.
Other changes followed, turning Point Roberts into the recreational community that we know today. Lighthouse Marine Park, on the southwestern tip of the point, was dedicated in 1973. It is a pleasant 21-acre park that currently does not have a lighthouse; however, it is a favored spot to view Orca whales in the summer. And just east of the park, the 900-berth Point Roberts Marina, capable of housing boats up to 60 feet long, opened in 1977.”
If you are interested in more details about the History of Point Roberts then you should visit the History Center (located in the Community Center). You may also want to join in the Point Roberts Historical Society to help learn about and preserve our local history.
Transiting to the Point
There are 3 ways you can get to Point Roberts. The first is by private boat since there is no ferry (no passport needed if coming from the rest of the US), the second is by small plane landing on our grass runway (no passport needed if coming from the rest of the US). The third and most common way is driving through Canada from lower Washington (you definitely need a passport). Most of our residents get here by option 3 of driving through Canada. If you are eligible to get a Nexus pass then it is highly adviseable to apply for it. This will make the drive back and forth as fast and least stressfull as possible. The Nexus pass is in leu of a passport and allows you a somewhat speedy transit through both border crossings as a pre-screened traveler. Getting a Nexus card can take a long time so it is always advisable to have a passport handy. You can find the application form for Nexus here:
https://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/nexus
When you approach any of the border crossings we recommend you greet the border guards with a simple pleasentry like good morning or good afternoon. The guards are there to do a job so not having an antagonizing demeanor always helps get you through the transiting process. If you are in a vehicle, make sure you have the drivers side windows down so the guards can see into the vehicle. When you are going back and forth between Point Roberts and lower Washington, always tell the border guards that you are transiting directly to the Point or a destination in Washington with no stops in Canada. If you are stopping in Canada be prepared to answer additional questions from the guards. These questions can change from time to time which some people find frustrating but it is best to answer truthfully without adding any information other than what they asked for. It is the travelers responsibility to know what items are allowed to transit through Canada as you go between the borders and if you have purchased anything during your journey then always care your receipts. One dumb question that gets asked all the time when entering Point Roberts is "Where are you going?". Now the obvious answer to that would be "Point Roberts" since you can not go anywhere else by vehicle from our local border crossing; however, it is best to give an answer like "I am going home". Guns will always raise a red flag when transiting. Also drugs like marijuana, that may be legal in Washington State and British Columbia, are not allowed through the border due to Federal laws. There are certain food and plant items that Canadians do not allow through the border. You can find out more information on this here:
https://inspection.canada.ca/travelling-with-pets-food-or-plants/eng/1573770102207/1573770205327
The United States has additonal restrictions on foods, soil, plants and additional items that can be brought across the border from Canada and other countries. You can find information on these items here:
If you need a ride to/from Point Roberts to/from Vancouver International or any other location in the Vancouver area you may want to use Delta Surrey Green Cab: https://deltataxi.com
They are one of the few services that is willing to come across the border.
Our Unpredictable Weather
We hope you did not come here in the summer and decide that this was the place for you to live without visiting us during our other seasons (or when will the rain stop and the clouds clear). Point Roberts has a unique micro climate having mild cool summers and mild winters. Temperatures in the summer months typically range from 60-70 degrees Fahrenheit, while winter temperatures average between 40-50 degrees.. The Point exist in a rain shadow so we have less rain than Vancouver, BC or Seattle Wa.; however, it still can rain a lot (36 inches average per year) and sometimes it does snow (9 inches average per year). The most difficult weather for many newcomers can be the long periods of gray/overcast that can last for weeks. The weather reports for Point Roberts are not always accurate so be prepared for a rain day to turn out sunny and a sunny day to turn out pouring rain.
Small town etiquette and how not to piss off the locals.
1. Things are not like in a big city so don’t try to change them. If you see something that you think needs changing, ask the long term residents if it is a good idea and why it has not been done before. There usually is a good answer for why things are the way they are and if you come up with something new you will usually hear if it is a good idea to go ahead and try and change it. (Be prepared….if you want something done, you usually have to do all the work yourself)
2. Everything is close by on the Point. The maximum speed limit is 30mph so slow down. If there are people stopped in the middle of the street carrying on a conversation, wait for them to finish. They know you are there and will be out of your way within a minute. If there is wildlife in the road give them the right of way. Travel delays around the Point tend to be very short, and you are only 5 minutes away from anything.
3. Share the roads with wildlife, walkers, bicyclist, and horseback riders so if you are in a vehicle, pull into the opposing lane and give them lots of room. You will usually get the Point Roberts wave of gratitude from the humans for doing this.
4. If you are new to the Point then please join some of our local organizations. This is a great way to meet other locals and it will provide you an opportunity to find people to ask questions of when you need information on how to survive life on the Point.
5. Please don't use Point Bob when you are talking about Point Roberts. Either use Point Roberts to those who may not know where we are or the abbreviated form if you are talking to a local. An example of the abbreviated form is "I am staying on the Point this weekend."
6. Join ePost for local notices, Nextdoor for local discussions as well as the EPB (electronic version of our local All Point Bulletin newspaper) for local news so you can be informed about what is going on around the Point. Joining these information sources tends to prevent the embarassment of asking uninformed questions.
ePost: https://www.pointepost.net/
Nextdoor: https://nextdoor.com/
EPB: https://www.allpointbulletin.com/newsletter/
Another new source for information around Point Roberts is the "Whats the Point" app available from Apple and Android stores.
The most important thing to do is slow down and relax. Point Roberts is like an island, and like an island, we are on Point Roberts time. Things do not happen at the same pace as you might find off the Point. You may find that this relaxed lifestyle is good for your health.
Home Repairs
Doing Your Own Repairs or Waiting For An Expert To Fix Them.
Let’s make one thing perfectly clear, Point Roberts has a small population with a limited number of people trained in the trades. Those contractors who are working tend to be very busy. Other contractors like to pick and choose whom they do jobs for. There is a good chance any repair technician, no matter how much you think it may be an emergency, may not get to your home in the timely manner you may be accustomed to in a city. Also, once you do get a repair person it might take a lot longer to get the job done then you anticipated. When on Point Roberts time, everything slooooooows down including your repair job. Spare parts to do repairs may not be readily available which means they need to be shipped through Canada to the Point. If you can get a local contractor then please hire them first before looking for someone off the Point. Do not plan on having Canadian trades people come across the border to help you since most are not authorized to work in the United States. Also, do not plan on being able to find trades people who will come to the Point from below the Peace Arch. There are a few contractors that will come up from down south but be aware that they usually charge a premium for needing to travel across 2 borders.
If you can get by without needing a repair immediately then you might want to mentally plan on waiting to get the repair done. If you have a problem that you can do a temporary fix until the problem can be repaired by a professional then plan on doing it. The final thing you should plan on is learning to DIY any repairs. Youtube and Google are your friends when it comes to DIY projects, you can usually find step by step instructions for repairing most things along with videos on the internet to show you how.
When you really do need someone to help with a repair or do a project for you, the best resource we have on the Point is going into Nielson's Building Center and asking them who to call for the work you need done or looking at their contractor directory. Since we have a limited number of trades you may only get one name of a person who can do the work so don’t plan on trying to price shop around. As a last resort you might want to search Nextdoor to see if anyone has had similar work done recently or you can post a request on Nextdoor to see if anyone else on the Point knows of a working contractor who can solve your issue. Sometimes it can be cheaper to get a contractor from lower Washington if multiple households need the same type of work at the same time and locals try to group together on Nextdoor to get this type of service. The more residents needing work done makes it more cost effective for a contractor to make the trip here to the Point from lower Washington.
Nielson’s Contractor Directory:
https://nielsonsbuildingcenter.com/contractors.html (The directory is currently getting a new address so if the link is down contact Nielson's directly for this information)
Appliance Repair
There is only one company that currently services appliances on Point Roberts and that is DeWaard & Bode based in Bellingham. DeWaard & Bode will only service appliances that you have purchased from them and hold a warranty on. Most repairs on refrigerators, stoves, washing machines and dryers are DIY jobs and rarely you may find a local person through Epost or Nextdoor who would be willing to take on a project. If you do have an appliance under warranty from any other company then DeWaard & Bode there is a high probabilty that they will make you ship the device back to them for repair which is not very cost effective. Puchasing appliances in Canada and bringing them into Point Roberts tends to void any warranty the items might have. If the cost and effort to repair a broken appliance is to hard then you can arrange with Cando Recycling and Disposal to pick up the device for disposal. Appliances for disposal must be placed outside to be picked up.
DeWaard & Bode: https://www.dewaardandbode.com
Automotive, Boat Repair and other Power Vehicles
Althougth we have 4 gas stations in Point Roberts, we only have one garage and that is Erickson Brothers Garage located at 1423 Gulf Rd. Erickson Brothers is open Monday through Friday and closed on weekends.
If you need to tow your auto across the border to a dealership for warranty or other repair work then it is best if you have AAA or BCAA. AAA and BCAA will find a service to get your vehicle across the border; however, it may take some time to get a driver with a passport to make the trip to the Point. Bayview Auto Towing from Surrey, BC also provides cross border towing.
Please check with Erickson Brothers if you need work on other engines like RV's or lawn mowers.
The Point Roberts Marina does not currently have a company on site to repair boats but hopes to have someone move into the shop in the near future. You may want to join the Point Roberts Yacht Club and ask them for references when you need boat repair. Reliable Yacht Care is currently working out of the Erickson Brothers Garage and will provide mechanical services for boaters here in Point Roberts.
Reliable Yacht Care: reliableyachtcare.com
What About My Utilities: Power, Water, Sewage, Phone, Internet, Cable
Point Roberts power is controlled by Puget Sound Energy and even though they cover most of northern Washington we actually get our power from Canada. It is common to have power outages lasting a day or longer on the Point. During long power outages, the firehall and community center tend to open up so people can come in and use the power from the buildings generators.
Puget Sound Energy : https://www.pse.com/
Many homes use propane to heat their homes, cook or power generators during electrical outages. If you need information on refilling or adding propane tanks there are 2 propane companies that deal with home deliveries.
Amerigas: https://www.amerigas.com
and
Economy Propane: https://www.economypropane.net
Every home on Point Roberts had been on well water until the 1980’s when many of the wells began to dry up. Luckily, the US Government reached an agreement with the Canadian government and British Columbia so we could get water shipped in from Canada. The Canadians required us to purchase 840,000 cubic feet of water per year even though we only use about a 3rd of that. No matter how you look at it, we need to pay for water we never use just so we can have a reliable water supply.
Point Roberts Water: http://pointrobertswater.com
You may notice cable lines on the telephone poles but the cable company that had been servicing Point Roberts pulled out in 2019 and there has been no replacement. The cable company had also been supplying internet over the the cable lines so when they pulled out our only option for internet became Whidbey Telecom. You can get a very limited numbers of Canadian tv channels and no American channels using an antenna so your best option for tv is purchasing a satellite tv service. When you have a clear view of the southern sky, many people who want regular tv services have turned to satellite providers including DirecTV and Dish. These companies will send installers to the Point to hook up service if it is possible from your address. Some Canadian residents have connected Bell TV, Shaw Direct and Telus TV but you are on your own for installing these services and the billing and boxes need to be registered from a Canadian address.
If you want to use the internet for cord cutting to watch tv then you may want to check your internet speed before you do this as an option. If you do get a satellite service you need to make sure you have a clear view of the southern sky to receive the signal.
Whidbey is our local telephone company and they provide land lines for phone service as well as DSL access for internet. Whidbey Telcom has slowly been adding fiber lines to increase the local internet speed. Warning….internet access on the Point can be very slooooow depending on where you live. If you do have slow internet then you may want to sign up with Widbey and have them bond 2 DSL lines together. Some people are now using one of the satellite internet services like Viasat and the SpaceX Starlink system for internet and other community based systems are currently being worked on.
Whidbey Telecom: https://www.whidbeytel.com
Cell Phone coverage can be very spotty around Point Roberts. There is currently only one cell tower located on the Point that provides coverage for Verizon and T-Mobil as the main American cell carriers. AT&T has currently negotiated a spot on the cell tower but have not announced the time line for when their local service was to begin. Canadian cellular carriers Bell, Rogers and Telus have all negotiated with Verizon and T-Mobil as partners in their North American plans so you should be able to reach most of Point Roberts with any of these carriers. The proximity to the border allows many Canadian cell services to be picked up and a international plan allows for the best coverage over most of the Point. Freedom Cellular from Canada has only partnered with AT&T so you will find a more limited service for this carrier. There is no reliable high speed 5G coverage like you may receive in larger metroplitan areas and many times there is limited LTE service. It is strongly recommended that any resident who wants cellular have a international plan that covers North America. There has been some success with people placing cell boosters in their homes to provide more reliable local cell service helping prevent dropped calls but there are no guarantees on this.
There is no sewer system in Point Roberts so all households are on some type of septic. There are a few small areas that have group septics but most septics are for each individual household. It is very important that you use septic safe ingredients for cleaning and you care for your septic on a regular basis. Make sure you know where your drain field is so you do not dig down or crush the pipes in any way. The septics need to be inspected periodically for the county and it can be quite costly if your septic were too fail. There are several companies that will come out and pump your septic tanks; however, there is only one on the Point which is the Potty Wagon: https://thepottywagon.com
It is helpful to pump out your septic every couple of years. Every 3 years the county requires you to have a septic inspection. The inspection and pump outs can cost hundreds of dollars; however, the county offers homeowners a free course that once taken provides substancial rebates on both of these services. You can find information on the rebates here:
Garbage, Recycling and Repurposing
The local Point Roberts company that picks up trash is Cando Recycling and Disposal. https://www.candord.com Cando is paid by a yearly fee collected through property taxes paid by home owners. It is advised that you contact Cando when you first arrive on the Point so you are clear on the level of service they provide including the dates for trash and recycling pickup at your home. Cando limits the trash can size to 32 gallons so make sure you contact them if you need additional service which they will provide for an additional fee. Recycling is done by Cando; however, you need to sort your trash between Aluminium & Tin cans, Glass Bottles & Jars, Mixed Waste Paper, Plastic, and Corrugated Cardboard. Cando does provide red, white and blue bins to place recyclables in.
If you want to self haul larger items or additional one off loads of trash or recycling you can take these items directly to the transfer station located at 2005 Johnson Rd. The transfer station is open on Sunday and Thursday only from 12pm-4pm.
DO NOT DUMP TRASH ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD!!!! YOU WILL MAKE YOUR NEIGHBORS VERY ANGRY.
Once a year, Whatcom County Health Department sponsors a hazardous waste pickup for Point Roberts. This annual event is done due to the waste not being allowed to transit through Canada so the waste is taken off the Point by a barge. The hazardous waste event is well advertised in our newspaper, the All Point Bulletin as well as our local social media, Epost and Nextdoor.
Repurposing old items for others to take and use on the Point is a common practice. Old furniture, tools and other items are routinely placed by the street with a sign that says free. If you plan on doing this, then make sure you advertise these items on our local social media sites. If the items have not been taken for use by someone within a couple of days then remove them from the street and find other ways to dispose of them or people will complain about them being an eyesore. If items are left out on the street for more than a few days and the owners refuse to clean it up then report the issue to the county (see the section on Reporting Problems on the Point).
Snow Removal on the Point
When we do get a heavy snowfall in Point Roberts, the county sends personnel here to operate a snow plow that they have in the county storage yard by the transfer station. The county only plows the major roads considered priority 1, 2 and 3. They do not do the side streets so you may be left on your own to dig yourself out. You can find a map of the roads the county plows here: https://whatcom.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=3e807520a22d4fc4b67c0b3885664ac0
There are some local contractors who plow for a fee. Usually the snow does not stick to the ground for more than a day or so but there have been times when it has stayed on the roads for several weeks. It is always a good idea to be prepared to be homebound with at least a week of supplies for emergencies as well as winter storms.
Health Care and Dental Care on the Point
Point Roberts has very limited medical facilities. Our clinic is only open 3 days a week, but can be utilized for basic medical care and referrals to more advanced medical care. The clinic also provides telemedicine on days when they are closed. There are no pharmacies in Point Roberts so you will need to either travel south to Blaine, buy medications from Canada or have your medications mailed to you. Make sure that what ever medical plan you have will cover your medications under the method you wish to obtain them.
Point Roberts Clinic: http://pointrobertsclinic.com
Our fire department has trained EMT’s who can help deal with emergencies.
Point Roberts Fire District: https://wcfd5.com
If you have a major medical emergency you will be transported to Saint Josephs Medical Center in Bellingham and not to one of the Canadian hospitals. This is a 45min journey by ambulance which can be very long. One of the best things any newcomer can do when it comes to medical emergencies is signing up for Airlift Northwest or Life Flight to cover the cost of flying you to the St Josephs Hospital by helicopter air ambulance. If you do end up needing to be transported to the hospital for an emergency, our local fire department will provide free transportation back to the Point when you are released.
Airlift Northwest: https://www.uwmedicine.org/airliftnw
Life Flight: https://www.lifeflight.org
JR Healthcare Consultants is also providing housecall visits and telemedicine for those over 18 years of age. To sign up for this service or see the days that housecalls are provided then visit their website at: https://www.jrhealthcareconsultants.org
We are only listing licensed traditional medical practices available on the Point that provide services for illness or injury. There are several people that provide consulting or services for mental wellbeing, massage therapy and holistic healing who advertise these services in the All Point Bulletin or can be found by asking on Nextdoor.
There are no working dentist, dental hygienist, or orthodontist in Point Roberts. Many residents use Canadian dentist and pay out of pocket since american dental plans tend not to cover cost in another country. The closest american dentist is in Blaine that many on the Point use which is Borderview Dental; however there are many additional qualified dentist if you are willing to travel further south to Bellingham.
Reporting Problems On The Point
It is also advisable that you have a landline from Whidbey Telecom in your home to call 911 during an emergency since these phones go directly to our local emergency dispatchers. If you are on a cell phone then make sure you tell the operator you are in Point Roberts and your exact location since many times cell phones will hit the Canadian 911 service and they will need to transfer you to the service for Whatcom County. If you are on a Canadian carrier you can dial directly into the Whatcom 911 operator by calling (360) 676-6911
If you are experiencing a power outage which is common on the Point then you can report the problem through a weblink or the PSE app on your cell phone. The link for power outages is:
If there is a problem like obstructions or flooding in the streets, snow plowing or anything else that the county is responsible for then you can contact Whatcom County Public Works through the form located here:
https://www.whatcomcounty.us/FormCenter/Public-Works-13/Ask-a-QuestionReport-a-Problem-249
If water is coming up from a break in a line you can find the emergency numbers on the Water District website here:
https://pointrobertswater.com/contact_info.html
If you are having problems with your landline from Whidbey Telecom you can find emergency phone and a online form to report problems here:
https://www.whidbeytel.com/contact-us/
Government and Point Roberts
Since the Point is not a city or town most of our government resources are provided by Whatcom County and its County Council. County control over resources and services has always been a major issue between the county and the residents of Point Roberts. The county bases the level of support by the number of full time residents even though our population quadruples due to our seasonal residents. Since most of our seasonal residents own homes, they are paying property taxes to the county and these taxes do not come back as support to Point Roberts. The county has specific areas of control and you can find out more about the county departments here: https://www.whatcomcounty.us
Whatcom County also has some specific rules designed for Point Roberts as part of the county code.
The Point Roberts Special District codes can be found here:
https://www.codepublishing.com/WA/WhatcomCounty/html/WhatcomCounty20/WhatcomCounty2072.html
The local citizens of the Point, through Whatcom County also developed a subarea plan with design guidelines for commercial and institutional structures.
You can find the area plan and design guidelines here:
https://www.whatcomcounty.us/1143/Point-Roberts-Subarea-Plan
In addition to the county, there are 5 elected bodies in Point Roberts that have very limited mandates in the areas they control. These agencies are as follows:
Point Roberts Fire Protection District 5 which controls our volunteer fire department
Point Roberts Hospital District which controls the Point Roberts Clinic
https://www.pointrobertsclinic.com/hospital-district
Point Roberts Water District #4 which controls our water supply
Point Roberts Park and Recreation District No 1 which controls the Community Center and Baker Field Park
Point Roberts Cemetery District 8 which controls our local cemetery.
A board appointed by the county executive controls the Point Roberts Library and the other libraries in Whatcom County. You can find them here: https://www.wcls.org
There is also an advisory group set up by the Whatcom County Executive called the Point Roberts Community Advisory Committee to act as filter between the local residents, the Whatcom County Executive and the Whatcom County County Board of Supervisors for issues concerning the Point.
Point Roberts Community Advisory Committee
https://www.whatcomcounty.us/563/Point-Roberts-Community-Advisory-Committ
There are 3 additional groups that help filter community concerns for their specific constituencies within Point Roberts and to Whatcom County. These are the Point Roberts Voters Association representing all registered voters (ie: American), The Point Roberts Taxpayers Association which represents all taxpayers (Canadian and American) in Point Roberts and the Point Roberts Chamber of Commerce which represents business concerns in Point Roberts.
All of these groups usually post their meetings times and agendas on epost and Nextdoor
Education On The Point
The only school we have in Point Roberts is our Primary School covering grades K thru 2. The primary school is governed by the Blaine Schoool District https://www.blainesd.org which also controls the elementary, middle and high schools in Blaine. One of the main advantages of our local school is the class size which is always small. The small class size allows the school teacher one on one time to help tailor lessons towards the individual students needs. All students enrolled in public school in Point Roberts who are 3rd grade or higher must take the daily bus back and forth to Blaine for classes. The difficulty in taking the bus is for any student who wants to participate in after school activities or sports. Parents need to make arrangements for transporting these students back to the Point if the students stay late. There is a fairly large contingent of students on the Point who are home schooled or are enrolled in Canadian schools for a fee. Most of the students who go to private school in Canada attend Southpointe Academy located in Tsawwassen. Any student that graduates from High School and intends to further thier education should take the time to apply for a Dollars For Scholars grant (see local charities).
What To Do With The Kids
Point Roberts is a great place to raise kids. It is safe to let them roam, ride thier bikes and play on the shoreline. The Point does not have alot of children; however, there are a few resources that parents should know about. There are 4 playgrounds available for younger kids. These are located at Lighthouse Park, the Community Center, The Primary School and in Maple Beach at the corner of Darby St. and Maple St. One activity you can take younger kids on is a hike to the Enchanted Forest Trail filled with gnomes, ferries and other mystical creatures located in the Baker Feld Park. Our public library runs excellent kids programs on a a regular basis so it is always good to check in with them on planned activities. During the summer the Point Roberts Park and Recreation District runs a summer camp for kids aged 6 thru 12 which is free to any family staying on the Point.
Point Roberts Park & Recreation Kids Camp: https://prparkandrec.org/kids-camp/
It is harder on older kids here since there are so few of them. Currently, the only location for older kids is the skate park at Baker Field. The most important thing parents can do here is to network with other parents so your children can make friends and enjoy thier youth.
Eating, Shopping and the Joys of Shipping
If you can shop locally then please do so. Most shops will take both American and Canadian currency. There are very few restaurants and shops located on the Point and it is important to provide them with enough business to survive especially during the off season when our local population drops. These are currently the only places to eat and it is best to contact them on their current hours since they can change seasonally:
Saltwater Cafe: https://www.facebook.com/Saltwater-Cafe-790389981093731/
The Pier (at the marina): website coming
The Reef: https://www.kiniskisreef.com
International Market Deli Counter: https://pointrobertsmarketplace.com
You can find a list of businesses that have signed up with the Chamber of Commerce at: http://www.pointrobertschamberofcommerce.com.
There are also a few cottage businesses that operate roadside stands around the Point. These businesses tend to advertise in the ePost and Nextdoor as to thier location and when they are open. The cottage businesses tend to be seasonal.
The main places to shop in Point Roberts are the International Market, Kora’s, Neilsons Building Supplies and the History Center Gift Shop. Your options for more shopping are drive through the border to shop in Canada, drive down south to lower Whatcom County, or shop online. Amazon is a prime resource for many residents when it comes to shopping but there are things you need to know before having them ship to the Point. Amazon packages tend to all come through the US Post even if they are brought up by UPS or Fedex. The US Postal Service has limits on the size and weight items. They can only be 108 inches combined in length and girth with a maximum weight of 70 lbs. Fedex and UPS will make home deliveries for some companies so it is important to know which service a company is using. If you are having a larger items shipped from a purchase online then you may want to contact one of the many shipping outlets in Point Roberts. They can help you deal with sending packages back and forth across the border.
If you are receiving mail to a mail box then make sure you have the box placed in the proper location for deliveries and it is clearly labelled. Check with the Post Office on the location for your box since they do not make deliveries directly to homes. It is very important that you register with the post office on where you want your mail delivered; either the location where all other mail boxes are located for your neighborhood (you must provide a box for this location) or to a PO Box that you have paid for through the post office. If you only receive mail by way of a PO Box at the Post Office then you need to make sure that you have any online purchases sent to the proper address for delivery. The delivery to your PO Box would go to Post Office address plus your PO Box added like it was an apartment. The correct address for deliveries to PO Boxes is "1582 Gulf Rd. #xxx” where the xxx is your PO Box number.
If you are getting larger items from stores in lower Washington (like furniture, beds, appliances etc.) then you will need to have the items shipped to Point Roberts unless you plan on self hauling. Point Roberts Auto Freight is the one shipping company that comes up from down south. You can arrange to have anything large that you buy from stores down south or overly large items from Amazon sent to PR Auto Freight before coming to the Point. There is a $50 minimum charge by PR Auto Freight for shipping which covers the first 100 lbs. You will need to add 50 cents per pound for any additional weight.
Point Roberts Auto Freight: https://www.pointrobertsautofreight.net (360) 676-1174
If you are self hauling and you need to rent a trailer or truck you can visit Neilsons Building Supplies.
Banking and Taxes on Point Roberts
Point Roberts currently only has one bank and that is Umpqua Bank located by the International Market. Umpqua will exchange US and Canadian currency at current rates and it is always advisable to have a little of both since you never know when you may need to transit across the border. Umpqua is only open Monday through Friday but has a outdoor ATM machine for when they are closed. The ATM at Umpqua only dispenses US currency. Most local residents maintain at least one account at Umpqua since it is local even if they bank with a larger company and make most of their transactions online. It may be easier for part-time Canadian residents to keep accounts in a Canadian bank that will do money exchange to dollars for no fee; however, it is nearly impossible for an American to establish an account in Canada without having a Canadian address to link it to.
Umpqua Bank: https://www.umpquabank.com
American and Canadian residents of Point Roberts have unique tax situations if they are partially living or working in the country that they are not a full time citizen of. The tax situation and which country you owe taxes to can change due to the length of time working or staying in the country where you are not a full time citizen. It is strongly advised that if you are in this situation of living and working cross border that you find a tax expert who deals with this. There are many tax preparers in Whatcom County and Lower British Columbia who a familiar with the cross country taxes.
Gardening and Growing Your Own
Point Roberts has a rich heritage for farming and gardening. As a newcomer who may want to grow the perfect garden you will face the challenges of getting any plants, shurbs, trees, bulbs, and seeds through the border into Point Roberts. Neilsons Building Supplies carries many gardening tools you may need and they also stock a limited supply of seeds and bulbs at different times of the year. Our one local plant supplier is Ladybug Nursery. Ladybug is seasonal (usually March thru September) so you may want to contact them ahead of time for anything you might want ordered. The Garden Club is an excellect sorce of information for anyone who wishes to do thier own flower or veggie garden here on the Point. The club does a yearly seed exchange as well as offers an excellent way for local gardeners to collaberate with one another. There are several nurseries on the Canadian side of the border who have shipped plants into Point Roberts in the past including Sunnyside Nursery and Phoenix Perennials ; however, these tend to charge a fee for this service. Since the rules on bringing plants across the border can change it is always good to check at both border crossings on current regulations. This is especially true if you attempting to move plants across on your own and not have the plants shipped by a bonded carrier who does this on a regular basis.
Some of the Fun Stuff
We like to have fun in Point Roberts and there are many activities over the year that you are welcome to come join in. Here is a sample of them.
Joke Telling Contest held in August, this event held at the Community Center is adults only since some of the humor can turn blue. It is always a nice evening to come out and laugh
Primary School Holiday Pageant is held in December and is a live performance featuring the students from local primary school. This family event always attracts a large crowd at the Community Center
The Garden Tour, when it happens, is usually in late June. The Garden Society usually puts on this event as a driving tour around the Point featuring some of the work from our master gardeners followed by a tea at the Community Center
Fire Hall Halloween Haunted House is done around Halloween by our local volunteer firefighters at the firehall and the scares and treats are for all ages.
Fire Hall Open House is held in August at the firehall and our local fire department brings out all their equipment for the community to see. The kids get to climb on the engines and we even get the local rescue helicopter to come in for a visit.
Fourth of July celebrations including a pancake breakfast, flag raising ceremony, parade, entertainment and fireworks
(The largest event for the community Canada Day/4th of July week with a parade down Gulf Road on the 4th and fireworks)
The Fiber Festival is put on by our local weavers and knitters. Held in March at the Community Center, the weavers and knitters have their creations on display and demonstrate their skill for the public.
The Apple Festival is put on as a Fund Raiser for Circle of Care in late September or early October. They set up an apple press at the Community Center and the community brings in all the apples from the trees to make juice and cider.
Trinity Concert Series is our summer calendar of musical events held at Trinity Church for the community. This series is open to the public and covers everything from classical, jazz and popular tunes. Donations to this series support the summer music camp at the church.
Every Dog's a Winner Contest. This event is hosted in the summer by PAWS were all dog owners get to parade their pet around and each dog gets a prize
There are many additional fun events during the year. These get posted through Nextoor, Epost, the All Point Bulletin and on the Community Event Bulletin Board at Gulf and Tyee road so keep and eye out for them.
Our Local Charities
You will find that Point Roberts is a very generous community and we have different charities that deal with specific issues within the community. If you want to donate your time and/or money to get involved with these worthwhile groups it can really help you become familiar with your neighbors. Some of these groups are:
The Food Bank providing supplemental food for those in need. The food bank currently operates on Wednesday morning from 8:30-10:30am at the Community Center:
Circle of Care helps provide assistance to seniors and families on the Point with medical and assisted living needs:
https://www.prcircleofcare.com/
Point Roberts Animal Wellbeing Society (PAWS) helps with anything pet related here on the Point.
Dollars For Scholars tries to provide a stipend to all of our students who graduate High School and are going to continue their education at a college or trade school :
https://pointroberts.dollarsforscholars.org/index.php?section=chapterWebsite&action=main&fwID=2261
Point Roberts Historical Society operates the Historical Center located in the Community Center. They help keep the history of the Point alive:
https://www.facebook.com/PointRobertsHistoricalSociety/
Friends Of The Library act as a support group for our local library by raising funds for materials beyond the scope of the library system as well as sponsoring informative and culturally enriching community programs:
https://www.facebook.com/friendsofthepointrobertslibrary/
PREP is the Point Roberts Emergency Preparedness group who work closely with our local emergency first responders in the event of a disaster. They also provide disaster training and education for the local community:
https://www.facebook.com/PointRobertsPREP
Planning for and Living Thru Emergencies On The Point
If you are having an emergency then call 911. If you are calling from a landline the call goes directly to our local EMS system; however, if you are calling from a cell phone then make sure you identify that you are calling from Point Roberts, Washington. Many cell phones end up going to Canadian 911 operators. If you identify your Point Roberts location, a Canadian operator will transfer you to the American 911 service. Since you may not know if you are on a American or Canadian cellular service it is best to dial directly into the American 911 EMS from your cell phone when you are on the Point by calling (360) 676-691.
Point Roberts is a small community and when there is a major emergency the community comes together. Even people who normally don’t get along with each other will work together to help those in need during an emergency. We have a top notch volunteer fire department mostly made up of Canadians training to become firefighters in Canada in addition to a few local resident volunteers. The fire department has several EMT’s to help cover medical emergencies.
Beyond the fire department we have 2 volunteer groups that help during emergencies. PREP, the Point Roberts Emergency Preparedness group which takes charge of the local community center if it should need to be used as a shelter and they also provide education on how families can stay prepared to handle any emergency. Point Roberts Amateur Radio Club which helps maintain communications links with the outside world should normal communications links be severed.
We live in a very forested area and fire is a constant threat. There has not been a major fire on the Point since the early 1900’s and we would like to keep it that way. Make sure you keep areas around your house clear of brush and debris. If you are going to have an outdoor fire, make sure you get a burn permit from the Fire Department. Never leave a fire unattended and always have a water source available to put the fire out.
You may hear a Tsunami warning trigger once a month. This warning siren is located down by the marina and can be heard through most areas around South Beach and Marine Drive. We are located in a Tsunamai zone and there are signs on our main roads that clearly mark the route to take to get to high ground. As you explore the roads around Point Roberts, it is always good to make a mental note as to where the evacuation routes are located.
Tsunami Information and Evacuation Map:
https://file.dnr.wa.gov/publications/ger_tsunami_evac_pointroberts.pdf
It is very common to have power outages in Point Roberts. These outages have been known to last up to 5 days. Many local residents have installed home generators to deal with the power outages but it is good to have flashlights, candles, and extra wood if you have a wood buring fireplace. Always report a power outage to Puget Sound Energy (PSE) at 1-888-225-5773. When reporting an outage make sure you identify your address and if you see the cause of the outage like a tree being down over the wires then identify that location so PSE can best service the problem.
You can locate a map of any current power outage on the PSE outage map at:
https://www.pse.com/outage/outage-map
Also, since our power does come from British Columbia there are times that a power outage on the Canadian side of the border knocks out the power in Point Roberts.
The BC Hydro power outage map is located here:
https://www.bchydro.com/power-outages/app/outage-map.html
Falling Trees are a constant problem on the Point. Every year they take out power lines and block roads. The worst recent storm took place in December of 2018 when over 100 trees came down on the roads knocking out power and blocking roads in some areas for up to 5 days. Do not try and remove trees that are down over power lines. The lines could still be hot and we don’t want you electrocuted. Call 911 to report the downed trees especially when they have brought down wires.
Please refer to PREP for additional information on how to prepare for emergencies: https://www.facebook.com/PointRobertsPREP/
If you would like to help during emergencies you can see about volunteering with the Fire Department or you can join PREP.
The Parks of Point Roberts
Point Roberts is known for its parks which provide endless recreational opportunities for everyone that lives or visits here. Each corner of Point Roberts has a county run park. The Whatcom County Parks are as follows:
Monument Park in the northwest corner. This park has historic Boundry Marker NO. 1 between Canada and the USA
https://www.whatcomcounty.us/3661/Monument-Park
Maple Beach in the northeast corner. This park has a swimming beach that can can be as warm as a bathtub during the summer
https://www.whatcomcounty.us/3660/Maple-Beach
Lighthouse Marine Park in the southwest corner. This park offers camping, playground and expansive views of the Strait of Georgia for whale watching.
https://www.whatcomcounty.us/3539/Lighthouse-Marine-Park
Lily Point Marine Reserve in the southeast corner. This park offers spectacular views of the San Juan Islands and eagles. Was historic grounds for fishing.
https://www.whatcomcounty.us/3659/Lily-Point-Marine-Park
One additional park is located in the center of Point Roberts and controlled by the Point Roberts Park and Recreation District which is Baker Field. Baker Field is located off of Benson Rd. and has a playground, picnic tables and a couple of miles of trails including the Enchanted Forest Trail.
Baker Field Map: https://prparkandrec.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Baker_Field_Map_Generic.pdf
All of these parks are multi-use and the locals take great pride in them. Please clean up after yourself and any animals you may have with you when visiting these parks.
There is one small private park controlled by the Maple Beach Homeowners Association that can be used by Point Roberts residents called " Paul Bemister Community Park". This park located at the corner of Darby St. and Maple St. has a playground, picnic area and tennis court.
Wildlife on the Point and Hunting
One of the first things you may notice about living in a rural area is that we do need to live with our local wildlife. The most common wildlife you will see are deer, coyote, raccoon, rabbits, gophers, rats and mice. Less common animals that are still seen here on the Point are skunks, possum and otter. We also have many large birds including Bald Eagle, Owls and Heron. The Point also has western garder snakes and several varities of frogs and lizards. Please do not feed any of the wild life, there is plenty of food in nature for these critters. Some of these creatures do like to feed off of plants in your garden so it is not uncommon to put fencing around vegetable gardens and trees to keep unwanted visitors away. It is also very important that you make sure all trash cans have secure lids and are put away so you do not find your leftovers strewn all over by one of our local creatures (usually racoons) hunting for a free meal.
Our local wildlife are enjoyable to look at but please keep your interactions with them to a minimum since they are wild. A special warning to dog and cat owners is needed about keeping them on a leash or in the house since the local Coyotes are more than willing to make your house pet an easy meal.
If you see a dead, injured or distressed animal please contact the following:
For Raptors (Eagles, Owls, Falcons)
OWL: (604) 946-3171
Eagle Skynet: Jeff (425) 931-8100
For stranded marine mammals call the Marine Mammal Stranding Network:
WHS Wildlife Center: (360) 966-8845
(Please note that it is common for young seals to be left on the beach while their mother hunts for food. If you see a seal pup then leave it alone and chances are the mother will return. If the pup is there more than a day, then call about the stranding)
For all other animals call the the Whatcom County Human Society:
WHS: (360) 733-2080
Our local fire department is willing to help rescue injured wildlife if the above organizations can not make the rescue. If an animal like a coyote or deer is so injured that they need to be put down then contact our local Whatcom County Sheriff. The Sheriff is the only one who is allowed to discharge firearms on the Point. The only hunting allowed on Point Roberts is by bow and that can only be done in season with the proper permits and the permission of the property owner where the hunting is taking place.
Pet Care on Point Roberts
Having pets in Point Roberts can be very challenging. There are always issues for getting pets through the border, finding them vetrinary care when needed and supplying them with their basic needs. Besides our sizable cat and dog population, there are horses, rabbits, guinea pigs, birds and assorted other non-human critters we care for here on the Point. The International Market has a very limited selection of pet supplies when it comes to feeding and carrying for your animal friends so many residents stock up when they travel across the border or they order supplies online. There are no vets in Point Roberts and the 2 closest ve
veterinary care facilities are:
Huff Animal Hospital
https://huffanimalhospital.com/
and
Tsawwassen Animal Hospital:
https://www.tsawwassenanimalhospital.com/
Both are located just across the border in Tsawwassen.
Point Roberts Animal Wellbeing Society (PAWS) always has usefull information for pet care inclusing a more extensive list of vets that include clinics further away then the 2 mentioned. https://pointrobertspaws.org/
You should always be aware of the rules for taking your pets into Canada. The rules for travelling with your pets through Canada can be found here:
https://inspection.canada.ca/importing-food-plants-or-animals/pets/eng/1326600389775/1326600500578
You should always be aware of the rules for taking your pets into the USA. The rules for travelling with your pets through USA can be found here: https://www.cdc.gov/importation/bringing-an-animal-into-the-united-states/index.html
How to Contact People and Calendars For Events
Most people and businesses on the Point have a local phone number as well as a cell phone. If you need to reach out to a group or a person about an event you may want to check the local Point Roberts Whitepages at: https://www.whidbeytelecomdirectory.com/South-Whidbey-Island-WA-2022/White-Pages/2-1/. The White Pages are from 2-1 to 2-6 within the Whidbey directory.
For additional information you can visit the "Point Roberts Calendars and Community Info" page here: https://sites.google.com/view/pointrobertscalendars/home