F24-1105A, Crossing the Isthmus—CANCELLED

Ever since the “old world” discovered the “new world,” the challenge for explorers, settlers, and traders was how to get from one side of the continent to the other. That was challenging, even after the discovery of a narrow strip of land connecting North America to its counterpart in the South. Mountains, jungle, swamps, incredible rainfall, debilitating heat, and disease readily spread by tiny biting insects — all posed immense obstacles. The fifty-mile trek across the isthmus was very slow and dangerous, and involved wading through swamps up to four feet deep. The option to sail around South America was expensive and took months. The solution was the Panama Railroad. Built in 1855 at the peak of the California Gold Rush, the railroad proved essential in the eventual construction of the Panama Canal. Alan McKie will tell the story of this railroad and include some personal observations of his great-grandfather’s quest for his golden fortune.

Presenter: Alan McKie
Alan McKie had a 35 year career with the U.S. Government – 5 years with the Military Petroleum Supply Agency and then 30 years with the Federal Communications Commission, retiring in 1960 as Deputy Managing Director. Alan then served as a docent for the U.S. Navy Museum at the Washington Navy Yard for many years. He is currently a docent at the Lucy Burns Museum located at the Lorton Arts Foundation and Workhouse on Route 123 in Fairfax County.

LLI Coordinator: Mike Ahern