Introduction
Borders are often seen as rigid, definitive lines, but reality tells a different story. Across the United States, borders between states and even countries have created fascinating exclaves, strange territories, and peculiar divisions. These irregularities are not merely geographic curiosities—they reflect history, natural phenomena, and even Supreme Court rulings.
In this blog, we’ll explore some of the quirkiest borders in the U.S., including fascinating places like the Kentucky Bend, Carter Lake, and the Lost Peninsula. Each location offers a window into history and a reminder of the unexpected twists that geography can bring.
1. The Kentucky Bend: A Land Cut Off
Nestled at the junction of Kentucky, Tennessee, and Missouri, the Kentucky Bend—also known as the New Madrid Bend—is one of America’s most famous exclaves. This small patch of land is geographically isolated from the rest of Kentucky, surrounded by the Mississippi River and Tennessee by land.
Why Does It Exist?
The Kentucky Bend owes its unique geography to a boundary set in 1665 during the colonial era, long before Kentucky and Tennessee became states. A series of natural events, including the 1811–1812 New Madrid earthquakes, reshaped the Mississippi River, solidifying the Bend’s exclave status.
Despite its isolation, the Bend was once a thriving cotton-producing area with over 300 residents. Today, its population has dwindled to just nine as of the 2020 Census. Its strange geography has even inspired literary mentions, including a cameo in Mark Twain’s Life on the Mississippi.
2. Carter Lake: A River’s Change Creates an Exclave
Moving north, Carter Lake is a small exclave of Iowa entirely surrounded by Nebraska. Home to nearly 4,000 residents, this exclave was once part of the mainland until a natural disaster reshaped the landscape.
The River That Changed Everything
In 1877, a flood altered the course of the Missouri River, leaving Carter Lake stranded on Nebraska’s side. While the exclave might seem like an anomaly today, it led to a legal battle between Iowa and Nebraska that reached the Supreme Court. In 1892, the Court ruled in Iowa’s favor, and the exclave was officially part of the Hawkeye State.
Despite the geographic inconvenience, Carter Lake has developed into a recreational hotspot, with its namesake lake drawing visitors year-round.
3. Ellis Island: A Split Island in the Hudson River
Few places in America hold as much historical significance as Ellis Island, the gateway for millions of immigrants. But did you know that this iconic island is split between two states?
Natural vs. Artificial Boundaries
The original, natural portion of Ellis Island belongs to New York, but later expansions—made through artificial infill—are part of New Jersey. This division was the result of a 1998 Supreme Court ruling that settled a long-standing dispute between the two states.
Visitors to Ellis Island today can unwittingly cross state lines as they explore its museum and grounds.
4. The Lost Peninsula: Michigan’s Forgotten Slice
The Lost Peninsula of Michigan is a small exclave located south of Toledo, Ohio. With about 140 residents, this exclave exists due to the aftermath of the Toledo War, a border dispute between Michigan and Ohio in the 1830s.
How It Got Its Name
The Toledo War led to a compromise that gave Toledo to Ohio while establishing Michigan’s boundary slightly to the north. This left the Lost Peninsula—a small, detached portion of Michigan—on the wrong side of the state line.
Today, residents must travel through Ohio to reach the rest of Michigan, creating a daily reminder of this historical quirk.
5. Newport County, Rhode Island: A Historic Border Shift
In Rhode Island, Newport County features a mainland section that is separated from the rest of the state by Massachusetts. This exclave is the result of colonial-era land claims and a royal decree in 1746, which adjusted the boundary to give the area to Rhode Island.
6. DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge: A Man-Made Exclave
Located along the Missouri River, the DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge is a unique case where a man-made change created an exclave. In 1960, the Army Corps of Engineers redirected the river’s course, leaving part of Nebraska on the Iowa side of the river.
This protected area serves as a habitat for migratory birds and other wildlife, showcasing how human engineering can inadvertently shape state borders.
7. Liberty Island: A State-Surrounded Island
Not far from Ellis Island lies Liberty Island, home to the iconic Statue of Liberty. While the island is part of New York, it is entirely surrounded by the waters of New Jersey. This arrangement dates back to an 1834 agreement that solidified the state boundaries in New York Harbor.
The Broader Picture: Borders and Their Stories
These irregular borders remind us that geography is not just about lines on a map—it’s about history, politics, and natural events. From colonial disputes to Supreme Court rulings, each quirky exclave and irregular boundary has a story to tell.
These places also highlight the ways that geography influences the lives of residents, whether they’re navigating daily commutes, legal jurisdictions, or even which state’s laws apply.
FAQs
1. What is an exclave?
An exclave is a portion of a state or country that is geographically separated from the main part and surrounded by another state or country.
2. Why does the Kentucky Bend exist?
The Kentucky Bend’s unique geography is the result of colonial-era boundary lines and natural changes to the Mississippi River.
3. How did Carter Lake become an exclave?
Carter Lake became an exclave after a flood in 1877 changed the course of the Missouri River, leaving it separated from the rest of Iowa.
4. What’s unique about Ellis Island’s borders?
Ellis Island is split between New York and New Jersey, with the natural portion belonging to New York and the artificial infill belonging to New Jersey.
5. Why is Liberty Island part of New York but surrounded by New Jersey waters?
This arrangement is the result of an 1834 agreement between New York and New Jersey that determined state boundaries in New York Harbor.
