U.S. Construction of the Panama Canal (1904–1914)

1. Hay–Bunau-Varilla Treaty grants U.S. canal zone rights

   Nov 18, 1903Labels: Hay Bunau-Varilla, Panama Republic, Canal Zone

   • Britannica
   • State Dept

2. Isthmian Canal Commission established to run construction

   Feb 26, 1904Labels: Isthmian Canal, U S

   • ICC
   • NARA Prologue

3. U.S. formally takes over canal work

   May 4, 1904Labels: U S, French Panama

   • Gatun Dam
   • NARA Prologue

4. Wallace resigns; early U.S. effort stalls

   Jun 1, 1905Labels: John Findley

   • ICC
   • PBS

5. John Frank Stevens takes charge as chief engineer

   Jul 1, 1905Labels: John Frank

   • Britannica
   • ASCE

6. Lock-and-lake canal design gains U.S. approval

   Jan 1, 1906Labels: Lock-and-Lake Design, Gatun Dam

   • ASCE
   • Census

7. Gatun Dam construction begins

   Jan 1, 1907Labels: Gatun Dam, Chagres River

   • Gatun Dam
   • Structurae

8. Goethals appointed chief engineer and ICC chairman

   Feb 1, 1907Labels: George W, Isthmian Canal

   • Britannica
   • PBS

9. Panama Canal Act sets rules for operation and tolls

   Aug 24, 1912Labels: Panama Canal, U S

   • State Dept
   • Census

10. Gatun Lake is created by closing spillway gates

    Jun 27, 1913Labels: Gatun Lake, Gatun Dam

    • Gatun Lake
    • Gatun Dam

11. Wilson triggers blast that opens the Culebra Cut

    Oct 10, 1913Labels: Woodrow Wilson, Culebra Cut

    • History Canal
    • Gatun Dam

12. Floating crane Alexandre La Valley makes first full transit

    Jan 7, 1914Labels: Alexandre La, French crane

    • History Canal
    • SS Ancon

13. SS Ancon makes the canal’s official opening transit

    Aug 15, 1914Labels: SS Ancon, Panama Canal

    • Smithsonian
    • USACE