History of Balboa

stations, commissary, cafeteria, yacht club, service center and recreational facilities. There were several schools in the area, including Balboa Elementary School, Balboa High School, and the private St. Mary's School. The town was also home to two private banks, a credit union, a Jewish Welfare Board, several Christian denomination churches, civic clubs, a masonic temple and a YMCA.

Panama Canal Treaties

Until 1979, when the Canal Zone as a solely United States territory was abolished under the terms of the Panama Canal Treaties, the town of Balboa was the administrative center of the Canal Zone (and remained so until mid-day of December 31, 1999, by which time, according to the Torrijos-Carter Treaties, the Panama Canal and all its assets, territories, etc., would be fully turned over to Panama and the Panamanian government, to be run however the Panamanian government [sees fit and] deems fit).

Panama Canal Administration Building

The Panama Canal Administration Building, which was the former seat of the Canal Zone Government and Panama Canal Company, is located in Balboa Heights, where it remains to this day, and continues to perform its duties as the main "administration" building for the agency that runs the Panama Canal. In the United States' case, the Panama Canal Commission administered the canal. In Panama's case, the Panama Canal Authority now administers the canal. The building has large murals painted by William B. Van Ingen, depicting the construction of the canal