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Here is a great photo that I recently picked up. Although not
dated, the photo is probably from the early 1920's. It appears that
someone on a ship being locked up or down in Gatun took it. There
are many very interesting things in this photo. Note the very large
formation of troops in the large field in the center of the photo.
Must be a big inspection or special activity taking place. The new
town of Gatun is seen in the hills behind the railroad tracks. The
Gatun Train Station is seen trackside next to a very large two story
building. I wonder what that building was? Since it was
trackside, I would think it was some kind of supply operation owned by the
Panama Railroad.
Another
great old photo from the "Golden Days" of the Canal Zone.
May we never forget our Canal Zone heritage!
Viewer
comments after publication:
Bill
the dating of that photo would be in the WW1 era 1917-1919 and US Army
Officers were occupying Gatun housing on the east side. The big bldg. in
the center by the PRR is the Gatun Commissary. Note that they have
swimming paraphernalia in the right hand edge, Diving Platforms - George
Chevalier
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Bill,
Being married to a Gatun girl, and loving it when i worked over there
enjoyed this photo. Some things for you to think about looking at it:
1: No line handler shack on the wing wall.
2: Power lines and tracks on locks side of station. ( I believe this is an
optical illusion created in the photo - wpm)
3: French style housing etc., my mother in-law always told the wife she
lived in BQs above the train station. Now single family housing.
4: No road overpass for the tracks at the gas station, would be where the
2 story building is.
5: Looks like an training are for troops, look at wood wall, and sandy
looking areas. Wonder if this wasn't a troop muster during WWI of Army
guarding the locks back then.
6: I wonder what those target like things behind the light post are, and
is that guard post?
7:The only thing still there for or generation locks excluded) is the old
Power Sub Station.
Richard Dillon BHS 61
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