Underwood Stereoview #6459, Culebra Cut, Panama Canal, c. 1906

This stereoview by Underwood & Underwood, numbered 6459, captures the monumental engineering feat of the Culebra Cut during the construction of the Panama Canal around 1906. The image presents a detailed view of the excavation site, where workers and machinery are engaged in the massive task of cutting through the mountainous terrain. The scene is framed by the steep, rugged hillsides of the canal zone, illustrating the scale and difficulty of the project.

The back of the card provides context, stating: "We are at a point more than half way across the fifty-mile isthmus... The railway track used by regular passenger and freight trains is off at our right near a mile from here." It continues to describe the significance of the Culebra Cut and the immense volume of earth moved during the construction. The card is in good condition, with some edge wear and discoloration typical of its age, and features text in multiple languages.

This stereoview documents the construction of the Panama Canal, a pivotal event in early 20th-century engineering and global trade. Scenes like this were commercially produced to showcase the progress of this monumental project, making surviving examples valuable records of industrial history and the transformative impact of the canal.