5 More UNEXPECTED and CRAZY Borders Between US States

Summary

In this video, the creator explores unusual and intriguing borders between U.S. states and international territories. From New Jersey's surprising border with Delaware, which includes an area in the Delaware River Nature Reserve, to the Missouri-Kansas airport border anomaly, the video highlights quirky geographical situations. Other fascinating examples include the U.S.-Mexico border, where islands in the Rio Grande are split between two countries, and the iconic Ellis Island, which spans both New York and New Jersey. The video also covers the curious case of Carter Lake, Iowa, a town that’s technically in Iowa despite being located in Nebraska, and Nevada’s border casinos that create unique experiences for travelers.

Takeaways

• 😀 New Jersey and Delaware's border anomaly is caused by an old English decree from King Charles II, where a section of the Delaware River Nature Reserve lies in Delaware, even though it's on the eastern side of the river.
• 😀 Despite multiple Supreme Court battles, New Jersey has lost every time, with the most recent ruling occurring in 2008, leaving the border unchanged.
• 😀 The New Jersey-Delaware border issue causes practical problems, such as delays in police response, as seen in a 1987 case where a body was found in a jurisdictional no-man's land.
• 😀 The Missouri-Kansas border also has a quirky case, where the Rosecrans Memorial Airport is on the Missouri River's western side, making it part of Kansas, even though it's in Missouri.
• 😀 To access Rosecrans Memorial Airport from Missouri, travelers must drive through Kansas and cross a small bridge back into Missouri, making it a curious border-crossing experience.
• 😀 The U.S.-Mexico border features a fascinating scenario where dozens of islands in the Rio Grande are divided between the two countries, a rare and unusual situation.
• 😀 These islands are largely uninhabited, but they remain a striking example of international borders splitting landmasses in unexpected ways.
• 😀 Ellis Island, a symbol of New York's immigration history, is partially in New Jersey because of expansion during the island's development, which led to territorial disputes between the two states.
• 😀 The land extension of Ellis Island was built into New Jersey territory, but New Jersey and New York decided to make it a shared border to avoid conflict over the land and water.
• 😀 The town of Carter Lake, Iowa, is geographically located in Nebraska but is part of Iowa due to a Supreme Court decision in 1892, stemming from a bend in the Missouri River that shifted the state line.
• 😀 Carter Lake's situation is unique because it has a significant population and amenities like a casino, despite being located on the Nebraska side of the river, making it a curious and practical example of border anomalies.

Q & A

What is unusual about the border between New Jersey and Delaware?

The border between New Jersey and Delaware is mostly defined by the Delaware River, but a small section in the southern part, specifically the Delaware River Nature Reserve, is technically part of Delaware even though it's located on the eastern side of the river, which is usually part of New Jersey.

Why hasn't New Jersey been able to change the border with Delaware?

New Jersey has tried three times to change the border with Delaware, but each time it lost in the Supreme Court. The issue dates back to a decision by King Charles II in colonial times, and the court ruled that the boundary is fixed, even though the river may shift over time.

How did the location of a body in 1987 highlight the border issue between New Jersey and Delaware?

In 1987, a body was found in the Delaware River Nature Reserve, but because it was in Delaware, the New Jersey police had no jurisdiction and had to wait for Delaware state police to respond, which delayed their arrival by over an hour.

What is interesting about the border between Missouri and Kansas, specifically near Saint Joseph?

The Rosecrans Memorial Airport in Saint Joseph, Missouri, is located on the western side of the Missouri River, which places it in Kansas. To reach the airport from Missouri, travelers must first enter Kansas, cross a small bridge, and then return to Missouri.

What defines most of the border between Texas and Mexico?

Most of the border between Texas and Mexico is defined by the Rio Grande River. However, there are several islands in the river that are split between the two countries, with some parts belonging to the U.S. and others to Mexico.

Do people live on the islands that split the Texas-Mexico border?

No, these islands are typically uninhabited, and there is no border patrol presence on them. Despite their division between the U.S. and Mexico, they remain largely untouched.

What is the historical reason for Ellis Island being part of both New York and New Jersey?

Ellis Island is split between New York and New Jersey because when it was originally developed as an immigration station, the land expansion into the river was part of New Jersey. The two states couldn't agree on giving up land, so part of the island remains in New Jersey.

How did the Supreme Court rule regarding the border dispute in Carter Lake, Iowa?

In 1892, the Supreme Court ruled that Carter Lake, a town located on the Nebraska side of the Missouri River, is legally part of Iowa. This decision was based on the river changing its course, which had placed the town on the Nebraska side, but the court upheld Iowa's jurisdiction over it.

What role do casinos play in state borders like Nevada's?

Casinos play a significant role in border areas like Nevada because the state is the only one in the U.S. where gambling is legal across its entire territory. Border towns like Prim, Nevada, exist to attract gamblers crossing from neighboring states, with casinos positioned right at the border.

What kind of borders does Joe find particularly interesting?

Joe finds borders involving islands particularly interesting, whether between states or countries. These borders are often complex and can involve multiple jurisdictions, as seen in examples like Ellis Island or the islands on the Texas-Mexico border.