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Border town in southern Quebec, Canada
Photo: Thomsonmg2000, CC0 via Wikimedia Commons
Stanstead is an incorporated municipality that comprises the three villages of Beebe Plain, Rock Island and Stanstead in the Eastern Townships of Quebec in Canada. The villages are notable primarily for being divided by the international boundary with the U.S. (part of Beebe is in Derby Line, Vermont, and part in Stanstead, Québec). The border splits a street ( CanUsa Street), a former tool-and-die factory (Butterfield's, Rock Island), a famous library and opera house (Haskell's) and a number of old houses right down the centre or center.
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Stanstead Historical Society
Carrollcroft, Charles Carroll Colby's 1859 classic revival style granite villa house, houses original furnishings and historical artefacts of the era.
Granite Exhibit & Museum of Stanstead
Museum devoted to the 160-year history of Stanstead Grey Granite, including the architecturally-notable buildings which used the stone. A second museum on-site claims the largest HO-scale Lionel miniature model train museum collection in Canada.
International library established by American sawmill owner Carlos Haskell and his Canadian wife Martha Stewart Haskell. The library has an English and French collection of more than 20,000 books; a black line across the library floor denotes the international border. The opera has most of its audience seats on the American side, and the stage is on the Canadian side. The building is registered as a historical site in both countries. There is no charge to borrow materials, no membership fees, but payment may be required to watch opera performances.
Bicycle and pedestrian trail on a 19-km (12-mile) segment of a former rail line (abandoned 1993) which once led to Newport (Vermont). No horses or motorised vehicles. Bicycles may be rented at Vélo Ayer’s Cliff (1191 Main, Ayer’s Cliff, +1 819-838-5240). Another segment of this line (a former spur from Beebe Junction east to Stanstead village) is open as the Piste Cyclable de Stanstead. A portion of the former line between Beebe's rue Principale (Québec Route 247) and North Derby Road (US) is no longer open, forcing cyclists onto Beebe's main street. In the US, 10 miles (16 km) from Beebe to Waterfront Park (Main St, US 5) Newport are open as the Newport Bike Path.
Semi-private 18-hole golf course, clubhouse open seasonally.
Bed and breakfast inn with seasonal restaurant on three hectares near Tomifobia River in Rock Island village, outdoor pool and spa.
Farmer-style market with foods, baked goods and handicrafts.
For Americans wanting to get into Canada quickly, the Derby Line/Stanstead crossing is ideal. The wait at the border is much less than that at the major border station down by the highway.
Read in the guideThere is no public transit. A car is the most viable option. There is also a cycling trail on what had been an international rail line before the railway tracks were removed in the 1990s.
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