January 2002
Happy New Year!!
Hola, Amigos de la Zona del Canal:
Mucho extranamos a nuestro Panama. Los recuerdos son muchos. Igual los sentimientos.
El 2001, nublo nuestro hogar. El 9 de febrero, murio nuestro querido Chester Paul Ferrell, padre.
Muchos lo recordaran por ser una magnifica persona. Un buen padre , esposo y amigo.
Aquellos que recuerdan las Oficinas de Correo, desde Balboa hasta Albrook, lo recordaran a Chester. ( Desde 1966 hasta 1989 ) Saludos a todos los vecinos de la Zona del Canal.
Atte,
Familia Ferrell.
Thanks for this site. I am 44 years old and left Panama 42 years ago when my father brought the whole family to the USA. I've been back a few times to visit family & we've always kept up the traditions. I am very proud of my Panamanian heritage and the name that my father gave me.
Great site! I was stationed at Marine Barracks, Rodman from October '62 until October '64. I have great memories of the Canal Zone and its people.
I was browsing your web and found the train they lifted out of Gatun Lake amazing. It brings back memories of the little explorations I took as a kid in the Canal Zone. Does anyone recall the turn off at the VFW club in Cocoli headed for K9? Well on an afternoon me and friend Charlie Rothruffy drove down a trail down across from the VFW club and found the most amazing artifact. There at the end of the trail was a cove which I could only imagine might have been a section which the French gave up or the Pan Canal Company decided to go another way. There on the cliff stood a huge concrete base and on top a two story massive crane surrounded by brush. Till this day I wonder why that massive expensive piece of machinery was left there. By the way if anyone is very interested in bats we found a large colony inside the concrete base of that crane. I would be interested to find out what caused them to abandon that location. Finally thank you for your fabulous sites you provide on this web.
I am interested in the history because my mother and father met in the zone and my aunt and her family lived there for many years. The internet is a wonderful tool and your site is fabulous. Thanks for doing this. P.S. My mothers name was Martha Jane Farthing (sister Barbara married to Josh Cunningham) and she worked in the lighthouse. My dad was Paul Cowell and a army cook.
I really enjoyed looking through the pictures. It sure did bring back lots of memories. I plan to go to Panama in July 2002 and am looking forward to seeing some of those same sites. I would also like to inquire about purchasing some of the pictures I saw on your site.
Feliz Aņo Nuevo a todo mi Amigos del la Zona! I truly wish everyone a wonderful new year full of hope and happiness. Again Bill, great job on this site! A place to go when I need my 'home fix'...gracias!
Excellent! Your website helps keep the memories of days gone for those of us who lived in Panama at one time or another. I was born in Panama City and lived for many years thereafter in Colon. I've lived in the USA for over 20 years and I cherish gathering information on Panama to spread the word of what a paradise we have in our little country. Panama is not only a Canal. Contrary. Much more.. Congratulations.
Congratulations!!!
I think it is great. Good Job.
I am very interested in your website especially the old photos of the Canal islands - Naos in particular. A very young ancestor died by a freak accident on this island and your photos are helping to tie the story into the family history. If you happen to have any other old photos of this island would you be able to email some of them to me especially if they are of the older buildings. Thanks.
Very nice to see and read about the "old home". Was introduced to the CZ/Panama at the age of 5. Returned to the States at age 14. Haven't really looked at internet info, until my son researched his report on, of course, Panama! Thanks for the trip down memory lane. Can't wait to get a Zonian shirt!
My brother sent me your photos I was born and raised in Panama part-time in the Canal and also in Panama City. What wonderful memories I forgot I had and yes the Raspado was the best I have had then or since!! Thank you for the memories.
Great website! Really informative, and brings back many memories. I'd like to add some material in the near future. I'll keep you posted.
Thanks,
Sincerely,
Stephen Good
Tanks a lot! = TAL
CHS 1973, Enjoyed the website. Thank you for sharing.
Hello to all my C.Zone folks, I'm here in Florida, living, my wife (Jeanette) still in Panama for a few months with our daughter Brittany. We going miss our home in Panama. Write me back friends.
Great page and great books. I look forward to reading and looking at it weekly. I am a graduate of BHS '61.
This is a great site, was born and raised in the Canal Zone, father worked for the Police Division. Left to come to Maritime Academy @ Texas A&M. Miss the place. Thanks for great photos.
I enjoy your site each week. Several pictures you've displayed over the years show houses we lived in. I never get tired seeing pictures of Panama and the Canal Zone. Thank you and happy new year.
What a wonderful web site! Thanks. Found lots of information pertaining to two family members: GEORGE R. SHANTON, chief of police and W(illiam) H. FRAZEE. I a family researcher and George was my great uncle and Bill Frazee, another uncle. I have no more contacts for the Shanton family so if anyone out there has any information on George and/or Bill, please send it to me. Thanks again for a wonderful site and keep up the good work.
Your site is Great, Fantastic, and Wonderful it brought back memories and that that iam only 36 years old, but some of the pictures like the Tocumen Airport brought tears to my eyes. I could not believe what my eyes was seeing I remember when you could go out and actually see your family get in on the plane. I don't have any words to describe your impressive collectable photos. But thanks to your wonderful web-site I can enjoy and reminisce all the good day of my childhood.
Bill, Over the holidays I enjoyed looking over the wonderfull pics you have on this sight. It's been over 30 years since I last saw Panama and the Zone. To see all those places where as a youth I had so many adventures is magnificent. Thanks very much for providing us this well spring of beautiful sights.
beautiful
Great website with access to an abundance of wonderful memories of the CZ.
Anyone remember early Sunday mornings riding the train from one side to the other? I miss the beauty and lifestyle of the CZ very much!!!
Great website wish I had discovered it a lot sooner.
I was stationed in the CZ from Mar 64 to May 66 and then again from May of 73 to apr of 76. The life style was the best and the people were and are friends for life.
Thanks for giving me a little better of an insight to where I was born, i.e., Fort Gulick Hospital, Wednesday, May 7th, 1947... I'd love to come visit again. Is it possible?
Jerry
I AM A W.W.II VETERAN WHO WAS STATIONED IN PANAMA (1943-45). LAST YEAR I WROTE A SHORT STORY (E-BOOK) WHICH IS CENTERED IN PANAMA. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED, THAT IT MAY BE OF INTEREST TO SOMEONE, LOG ON TO WEB-SITE `http://www.gpb.surf1.com' AND LOOK UNDER "MILITARY/WAR ADVENTURE". TOM MOULTON
Excellent site. I was not a CZ brat nor a worker there, but I was born in Panama City in 1971 and lived there with my family until my mother and I moved to NYC in 1980. I recently went back in 1999 for the first time since I left. Although I came down with a serious stomach virus, my visit was a fun one. Seeing your site makes me want to make a return trip soon if my girlfriend agrees. I think of Boston and NY as my hometowns now, but your site makes me really sentimental about Panama. Thanks.