Architecture of the Panama Canal Zone: Civic and Residential Structures & Townsites

I will be forever grateful to my parents for being adventuresome enough to marry and live in the Panama Canal Zone for 37 years, raising five children, all of whom were born there and spent their childhood years there. It was a great place to grow up.We lived across the street from the high school in New Cristobal and I can remember thinking what a beautiful building it was with its open courtyards, arched walkways and red tile roof. Every morning, Monday through Friday, someone in the school physically rang a real bell housed in a small tower on top of the school at twenty minutes to eight reminding all the kids in town they better get out of bed and hustle to class, myself included. Then there was the Hotel Washington, with its graceful Spanish Colonial entrance, polished floors and waiters in white coats standing by, quietly anticipating hungry customers. It was the go-to place for our proms and special parties. Many other lovely structures reside in the good memories I have of the Canal Zone when it was owned and operated by Americans.This book, Architecture of the Panama Canal Zone, written by Edith Crouch, a Canal Zone brat and artist, is a welcomed addition to the small, but impressive, collection of books written by people who grew up in the Zone and loved it. Well-organized and comprehensive, the book includes site maps, photos and written details of every single town in the Canal Zone as well as interesting info on the architectural highlights of the Zone's standout buildings, including the canal itself.On a sad note: When my oldest brother Larry and his wife Donna Geyer Cox visited Panama recently, they heard from a reliable source that during the ceremonies celebrating the 100th anniversary of the opening of the canal, no mention was made of the fact that Americans were responsible for Canal construction and all that went with it: towns, administration buildings, stores, churches, schools, clubhouses, residences - from 1903 to 1999.Ms. Crouch's outstanding book tells the complete story.

ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL! I'm from Panama and since the first time I visited the Panama Canal at age 10, I was aware of the magnificence of the site. As I grew older, I was able to understand the magnitude of the project and what a marvelous engineering achievement the Canal was. It was a massive undertaking that cost numerous lives. The architecture of the Canal Zone was very unique. They were homes built in a complete different style than what it was used at the time. Many of the homes are built on stilts which is something Panamanians don't do. The homes and buildings are still standing and many have been converted into beautiful mansions. Every time I went to Gorgas hospital, I was aware that I was in a building where one of the most advanced medical achievements took place. The eradication of Malaria and Yellow Fever changed the world and it all happened there. The building still is being used until this day. It is the National Oncology Center. Not only the buildings of what was the Canal Zone are beautiful but were built to last.

This is a great book, It shows the various buildings and residential housing of the Canal Zone, from the construction of the Panama Canal to the end of the American era.

Excellent book. Wonderful photos.

This is a gorgeous and informative book. Though I didn't grow up in the Canal Zone, my mother and many great aunts and uncles did. I visited for awhile and thought the architecture was interesting.I bought a used book, which had some exterior damage, but the interior quality was excellent. It's a good buy for anyone interested in the many years the Canal was under US control and influence.

Very thorough book, impressed by the research and amount of material. Would have liked larger pictures. Also, I feel like it jumps from really old pictures to really recent ones. Would have liked more from 60s 70s.

Fantastic book! Couldn't put it down. Looked at every photograph. Now will go back and read every word. Congratulations to the author Edith Crouch. You have produced a magnificent book that I will treasure. Thank you!

This book is incredibly detailed and filled with amazing information amazing pictures! A must for any history lover and it obviously helps if you are from Panama or a Zonian!