In 1928, Ontario horticulturist Dr. Henry Moore dreamed of creating a garden along the International border between Canada and the United States. In 1929, he presented his idea to the National Association of Gardeners of the United States when they met in Toronto. His enthusiasm paid off. Over the next three years, money was raised for the garden. In 1931, Canada, Manitoba and North Dakota donated adjoining tracts of land in the beautiful Turtle Mountains. When Dr. Moore saw the area, he was delighted.
In December 1931, the site was approved for an International Peace Garden. On December 25, Dr. Moore spoke on a Toronto radio station:
“The Great Garden will be on the Canada to Canal Highway at a point on the International Boundary between Dunseith, North Dakota and Boissevain, Manitoba about 60 miles south of Brandon, Manitoba. The location is almost the exact center between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and about 30 miles north of the exact center of the North American continent, which is at Rugby. (North Dakota.
The highway extends from a point 200 miles north of the boundary to the Panama Canal and is to extend north to Churchill (Manitoba) and south to Cape Horn (South America) upon this Main Street of the Americas and which will be the longest north and south highway in the world, will travel millions of people in the days to come.”
When the International Peace Garden was dedicated on July 14, 1932 more than 50,000 people were present. The only piece of construction was unveiled when the Garden was dedicated. It is a simple cairn made of Native stone. The inscription reads:
TO GOD IN HIS GLORY WE TWO NATIONS DEDICATE THIS GARDEN AND PLEDGE OURSELVES THAT AS LONG AS MAN SHALL LIVE, WE WILL NOT TAKE UP ARMS AGAINST ONE ANOTHER.
In 1934, The Civilian Conservation Corps, a United States work program was established. Roads were cleared, an artificial lake was formed and a picnic area, bridges, fences and a fantastic lodge made of Canadian timber and United States granite were built.
Maintenance was reduced during WWII. Due to government funding from both countries, work on the Garden began again in the early 1950’s. The formal garden area and the panels that straddle the 49th Parallel were completed. At this time, cascading waterways, reflecting pools, flagstone terraces and a rock retaining wall were constructed.
In 1956, the Civilian Conservation Corps dormitories were transformed and the International Peace Garden became the focal point for several youth camps. At this time, the International Music Camp was founded.
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