1872 Fleischel Manuscript Watercolor View of Panama

A striking and finely executed watercolor view of Panama City in 1872 by Ch. Fleischel. The image reveals the lively Central American port in the decades before the Panama Canal, when it would become a major commercial and transportation hub.

A Closer Look

The image illustrates a small colonial port with two impressive churches, basic fortifications, and a bustling port. The Basilica of Santa María la Antigua, with two towers, is evident at center. The other church, in the background, is likely the Iglesia de San José. At right a train, the historic Panama Railway, is steaming into the city, while the harbor is full of ships. Of note, the sidewheel steamship, 'Montana' appears in the lower left. The 'Montana' was a Pacific Mail Company ship running the route between San Francisco and Panama between 1866 and 1869 - although the 'Montana' no longer ran the mail route after 1869, it may have been berthed in Panama until 1874 when it was sold to the Colorado Steam Navigation Company.

Historical Context

While Panama City in 1872 wasn't the hub it would become with the opening of the Panama Canal (1914), it was an important transit point. The Panama Railroad, evident here at right, made it the key transit point between Atlantic and Pacific. The railroad was completed in 1855, and although it only ran through 47 miles of jungle, linking the Pacific port of Panama City with the Caribbean port of Colon, it was the most practical way to transport goods and people between the Atlantic and Pacific.

Publication History and Census

This view was drawn by Ch. Fleischel. He (or she), was most likely of French-Jewish origins, especially given the French subtext on the image. We have been unable to discover further information about this artist. As a manuscript watercolor, this image is unique.