Join our email list and be the first to learn about new programs, events, and collections updates!

Friday, April 19, 2024

Open today 4 PM - 11 PM

Friday, April 19, 2024

Open today 4 PM - 11 PM

Digital Exhibitions

The Land Divided, The World United

Building the Panama Canal

Maps and Blueprints

Click any image below to learn more about each image and advance through the entire gallery

Cross-section of the Canal Zone showing geological features. Image source: "Generlized Section Canal Zone Formations." Panama Canal Collection, 1846-1923 (bulk 1906-1914), by Aurin Bugbee Nichols. Vol. 46 Supp, pt. 2, sec. 15-a [key].

View Source »

Map of the Atlantic entrance to the Canal. Image source: Nichols, Aurin Bugbee, and Tirzah Lamson Nichols. Panama Canal Collection, 1846-1923 (bulk 1906-1914). Vol. 46, Nov. 1910, p. 65.

View Source »

Geological map of Culebra and vicinity from 1911 showing probable limits of sliding ground. Image source: "Geological Map of Culebra and Vicinity." Panama Canal Collection, 1846-1923 (bulk 1906-1914), by Aurin Bugbee Nichols. Fol. T, sec. 19-2.

View Source »

Topography of Culebra Cut in 1917 showing slide areas. Image source: "Topography East & West Culebra and Cucaracha Slides." Panama Canal Collection, 1846-1923 (bulk 1906-1914), by Aurin Bugbee Nichols. Fol. M, sec. 14.

View Source »

00. Introduction 01. A.B. Nichols 02. The Lure of the Pacific 03. Envisioning a Canal 04. Prelude to the Railroad 05. Panama Railroad

06. The French Plan

07. Making the Dirt Fly 08. Locks

09. Life in The Zone

10. A Century of Progress 11. Maps & Blueprints 12. Interactive Timeline 13. Interactive Map

14. Additional Resources

15. Glossary

Cross-section of the Canal Zone showing geological features. Image source: Nichols, Aurin Bugbee, and Tirzah Lamson Nichols. Panama Canal Collection, 1846-1923 (bulk 1906-1914). Vol. A-1, Apr. 1909, p. 55.

View Source »

U.S. Bureau of Mines geological map of the Canal Zone published in 1915. Image source: MacDonald, Donald F. "Some Engineering Problems of the Panama Canal in Their Relation to Geology and Topography." Panama Canal Collection, 1846-1923 (bulk 1906-1914), by Aurin Bugbee Nichols. vol. 46 suppl, pt. 2, sec. 18.

View Source »

Excavation diagram and map from 1909 of the Canal from Pedro Miguel to Panama Bay. Image source: Nichols, Aurin Bugbee, and Tirzah Lamson Nichols. Panama Canal Collection, 1846-1923 (bulk 1906-1914). Fol. R, sec. 4.

View Source »

Map of Gatun locks, dam, and spillway. Image source: Nichols, Aurin Bugbee, and Tirzah Lamson Nichols. Panama Canal Collection, 1846-1923 (bulk 1906-1914). Fol. R, sec. 19.

View Source »

1911 map showing proposed project for lighting and buoying Panama Canal and approaches. Image source: Nichols, Aurin Bugbee, and Tirzah Lamson Nichols. Panama Canal Collection, 1846-1923 (bulk 1906-1914). Fol. R, sec. 54.

View Source »

Blueprint of a Schenectady locomotive. Image source: Nichols, Aurin Bugbee, and Tirzah Lamson Nichols. Panama Canal Collection, 1846-1923 (bulk 1906-1914). Vol. 18, 1908, p. 21.

View Source »

Blueprint of a Bucyrus wrecking crane. Image source: Nichols, Aurin Bugbee, and Tirzah Lamson Nichols. Panama Canal Collection, 1846-1923 (bulk 1906-1914). Vol. 18, 1908, p. 29.

View Source »

Blueprint of a track shifter built by Isthmian Canal Commission Mechanical Division. Image source: Nichols, Aurin Bugbee, and Tirzah Lamson Nichols. Panama Canal Collection, 1846-1923 (bulk 1906-1914). Vol. 18, 1908, p. 33.

View Source »

Blueprint of a Marion steam shovel. Image source: Nichols, Aurin Bugbee, and Tirzah Lamson Nichols. Panama Canal Collection, 1846-1923 (bulk 1906-1914). Vol. 18, 1908, p. 69.

View Source »

View All Online Exhibitions

The Land Divided, The World United

Maps and Blueprints

Library Hours

Telephone

Address