Life in the Panama Canal
Zone
Once the United States completed the construction of the Panama Canal in 1914, the focus changed to the maintenance and daily operation of the Canal itself.
From 1914 to 1979, tens of thousands of Americans lived, went to school, worked and even died living in the U.S. operated and controled Canal Zone. These Americans lived a life that was stable and reassuringly like life in a small midwestern town in the States.
They lived in subsidised government housing, shopped at government run commisaries, traveled to and from their original homes int he United States once every two years at government expense and even after the elimination of the dreaded tropical diseases such and malaria, received a 25% salary bonus over pay given to government workers in similar jobs in the United States.
This existence was not all a bed of roses. While some families went to the Zone and stayed for several generations, others were only there for a few years or a single generation. Going to Panama in the 20's, 30's or 40's was a radical move for most Americans who generally never strayed far from home during that time period. Once overseas, even with free trips to the States ever two years many families becam estranged from relatives including parents who tended to see the move to Panama as some sort of desertion.
This unique lifestyle began ot unravel in the 1970's and then began a slow decline into oblivion with the signing the the new Panama Canal Treaties in 1979.
Today, the 'Zonion' is truely an endangered species, aging, passing away and slowly headed towards extinction. This section of the web site is dedicated to those Americans who worked for the Panama Canal and lived in the Canal Zone performing a valuable service not just for their country, but for all countries and peoples of the world.
To view some pictures of Canal Zone life, buildings, and memories click on the link below to take you to the presentation.
Once the United States completed the construction of the Panama Canal in 1914, the focus changed to the maintenance and daily operation of the Canal itself.
From 1914 to 1979, tens of thousands of Americans lived, went to school, worked and even died living in the U.S. operated and controled Canal Zone. These Americans lived a life that was stable and reassuringly like life in a small midwestern town in the States.
They lived in subsidised government housing, shopped at government run commisaries, traveled to and from their original homes int he United States once every two years at government expense and even after the elimination of the dreaded tropical diseases such and malaria, received a 25% salary bonus over pay given to government workers in similar jobs in the United States.
This existence was not all a bed of roses. While some families went to the Zone and stayed for several generations, others were only there for a few years or a single generation. Going to Panama in the 20's, 30's or 40's was a radical move for most Americans who generally never strayed far from home during that time period. Once overseas, even with free trips to the States ever two years many families becam estranged from relatives including parents who tended to see the move to Panama as some sort of desertion.
This unique lifestyle began ot unravel in the 1970's and then began a slow decline into oblivion with the signing the the new Panama Canal Treaties in 1979.
Today, the 'Zonion' is truely an endangered species, aging, passing away and slowly headed towards extinction. This section of the web site is dedicated to those Americans who worked for the Panama Canal and lived in the Canal Zone performing a valuable service not just for their country, but for all countries and peoples of the world.
To view some pictures of Canal Zone life, buildings, and memories click on the link below to take you to the presentation.
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