Colon History, Panama

The history of Colón is around 170 years old, when various modernized settlements started to use the sea port of Colón for different business purposes. Very rare evidence for the earlier history of Colón is available.

Colon Hist-First Steps towards the Development

It was 1850 when Americans laid the foundation of Colón. During those days it was the Atlantic Terminus for the Panama Railroad that was laid in the proximity of this newly formed city.

The major reason for building this city was to meet the endless rush for gold which was developing in the neighboring regions. Later on this proved to be the place from where a faster route to transfer gold to California could be established.

During those days this settlement was called Aspinwall by the emigrant community from the United States. It was the Hispanic community that used to refer this port city by the name of Colón to honor Christopher Columbus. This city was actually located on the western side of the Manzanillo Island. It was the construction of railroad in the proximity of Colón that actually became the reason for the development of Colón.

Colon Hist-Effects of the Columbian Civil War

In 1885 and then in 1915 this city was burnt completely by those who were responsible for the civil war and this halted the growth of the city for many years to come.

In 1948 Colón started to grow tremendously as its southern section was tagged Free Trade Zone of Colón. Since then it has been stretched to wider areas thus helping the economy of Colón. During those years life in Colón was at its best with various nightclubs and movie theaters enjoying the boom.

In the 1960s some politically generated riots destroyed the awesome palace of Colón and marked the decline of the city. Since then the economy of Colón just couldn’t come back on its track.