The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1918-01-10

- the Atlantic terminal of the
Panama canal, and of Cristo-
bal. the American colony locat-
ed In the Canal Zone; but how many
of you know that they are twin towns
located on the Island Of Manzanillo
and named for Columbus? In the Span
fish language Christopher Is "Cristobal"
and Columbus would be "Colon"--so
Cristobal Colon really Is christopher
Columbus"
Approaching Colon harbor you no.
tlce two long lines projecting out into
Llmon bay; these are the east and
west breakwaters, built Of massive ce-
ment blocks and piles driven down
many feet into the water. They pro-
tect the harbor from the heavy storms
and 'northers" that sweep along the
coast, writes Alice Sims Macqueen in
the Los Angeles Times.
Passing between the breakwaters
the New Washington hotel on Colon
beach. owned and built by the United
States government, first attracts your
attention, then your boat comes to a
stop and government health officer
comes aboard to inspect the passen-
gers before they land. After this ex-
animation you slowly pull up to an
enormous concrete pier, one OF FIVE
and you are In Crlstobal, Canal Zone,
where Uncle Sans workers on the At
lantlc side Of the canal chiefly reside.
There are around 1000 Americans liv-
ing In Cristobal and u number OF fam
lilies residing In Colon, which city has
population of approximately 10000.
Before you land, however, the massive
steel girders of the new Cristobal coal
ing plant attract your attention. This
Is where ships are supplied with coal
before continuing their journey
through the canal or northward.
On the dock the customs officer In
spects your baggage. This ordeal be-
Ing over you try to decide which of
the dllapidated looking coaches with
their underfed, weary horses Will be
most apt to carry you safely to the
hotel. There being no choice you take
the first. Jingle, jangle! loudly peals
a bell. No, II Is not the fire depart
ment but your driver warning the
crowd that he is coming, while your
poor old steed does his best ut run.
Along Roosevelt Avenue.
Out past the new Terminal building
of the Panama Railroad company you
drive into street lined with wonder
full coconut palm trees. This Is
"Palm" or Roosevelt" avenue, and be
fore the big docks and Office buildings
were erected In Cristobal II was the
choice residence section of the town
commanding an uninterrupted view out
over the changeable waters of the Ca
ribbean sea. north toward homeland
The big deserted-looking building al
your left is the offices of the Hamburg.
American Steamship line, little used
since the European war; next Is the
United Fruit company's building, whllt
last of all Is the American fire station
with Its big white horses peering out
Of their stalls as you pass. All this
looks quite homelike, save the palms
but walt until you cross the railroad
track into Colon, where you see the
big commissary that furnishes Ameri
cans with everything from shoes &c
Christmas turkey and then II is just
Colon, smelly, quaint. native Colon
with her hundred different races ant
numberless types, her swelterinf
streets and alluring Hlndoo and Chi
nese shops.
You turn corner and line of state
ly royal palms gives you dlgnitieC
greeting. This is Sllfer park, wher,
the native Panamanians and Others
gather several times week to lister
TO the band and gossip. For no Span
ish city is complete without "Parqu,
Central and a band, no matter how
poor nor how small both the city ant
the band may be. At the end of tn,
park Is the Washington hotel. 1t is O
Spanish architecture, with wide veran
das locking out 20 sea. There is
garden on all sides, where palms, love
ly red hibiscus and roses grow II
abundance. A sea wall runs along III,
front of the hotel grounds and love
lier walk cannot be found, This wal
brings you to the outdoor swimming
pool connected with the hotel. II &
ted with ocean water and here for fiy,