The Library will be CLOSED on Thursday, Nov. 28 - Friday, Nov. 29 in observance of Thanksgiving. We will reopen on Monday, Dec. 2 at 10:00 AM.

Wednesday, November 20, 2024

Open today 4 PM - 11 PM

Wednesday, November 20, 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 Suppl., pt. 2, sec. 15-a [key].

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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The Land Divided, The World United

Maps and Blueprints

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