The international bridge in Van Buren opened to traffic in 1911. The customs house (or toll house) appearing in this photograph may date from that time.

For generations, Valley residents on both sides of the St. John River had crossed on the ice or on ferries. The construction of bridges in Van Buren, Madawaska, and Fort Kent in the twentieth century coincided with the development of the border patrol and the Immigration and Naturalization Service. By forcing traffic to specific crossing points, bridges helped customs officers and other officials monitor traffic along the border. Still, "going across" remained fluid and subject to few restrictions until the aftermath of September 11, 2001.