My name is William P. McLaughlin. I was born in Gorgas Hospital, Ancon Canal Zone. I grew up, attended CZ schools and completed a 25 year career in the Canal Zone and Panama. I saw many changes in the 45 years I was there. I retired and left the former Zone in 1996 to start a new life in the United States.

     In 1976, I started collecting antique bottles and miscellaneous artifacts from within the Canal Zone. These bottles and artifacts range in age from the early Spanish days, 49er Gold Rush Days, French/American construction of the Panama Canal and the Canal Zone Golden Years.

     In 1977 the reality hit that the Canal Zone, as we knew it, was going to become extinct, I started a major campaign to collect anything that pertained to the Canal Zone. I scavenged, bartered, and purchased many great collectibles pertaining to the Canal Zone's Golden years.

     I would eventually like to have all these items in a "real" Canal Zone Museum, but until that is possible, I will display them here in the Cyber Museum. I hope everyone will enjoy this web site. It has taken me quite a bit of time to set it up. This site will continue to grow, so come back and check for additions periodically. I still have quite a bit of memorabilia to scan, set up and post on this site.

     If anyone has any items that they would like to display here, contact me for instructions.

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