FEMALE ON THE FLOOR!: the Island of Flowers in the Bay of Panama

some History of Isla Taboga

Isla Taboga has known the fury of marauding pirates, the intolerance of the Conquistadors, the boldness of the Gold Rush adventurers, and the glory of being the birthplace of a saint. Through it all, the island has remained its tranquil self.

PT Boats in World War II. During World War II, the U.S. Navy had a "mosquito boat" training base on the tiny island of El Morro just off Isla Taboga's northern shore. The heroic record of these boats in the Pacific Theater of War proved the efficiency of the officers and sailors on El Morro. Isla Taboga was also the site of attempted Japanese espionage when spy Yoshitaro Amana, head of a Japanese spy ring, tried to set up a commercial business on Isla Taboga so that the Japanese could ascertain what ships were transiting the Panama Canal. He was discovered in a sting operation and deported back to Japan. As well, gun emplacements at strategic points on Isla Taboga and lookout points atop El Morro made it possible to increase the security of the Panama Canal.

Isla Taboga and the Panama Canal. The island also played an important role in the construction of the Panama Canal. In the 1880s, the French constructed a 50 bed, $400,000 retreat for their canal workers attempting to build a canal. This same building was taken over by the United States in 1905 and used as a rest and recuperation center for Panama Canal construction workers. It served this purpose until January 1915, when it became a vacation resort for employees and their families and was known as Hotel Aspinwall. During World War I, Aspinwall became an internment camp for German prisoners. After the war it was once again the hub of Taboga's social life until 1945. Aspinwall is gone but many still recall this hotel and the part it played in social activities of that by-gone era.

The US presence on Isla Taboga in recent Panamanian history is a treasured past for the island and for Taboganos. Military and Civilian personnel integrated themselves with island life and performed many services for Isla Taboga which included improving its infrastructures and providing medical assistance. They brought entertainment to the island as well by creating an outdoor cinema, participating in sports, and constructing the island pier to serve visitors. Taboganos old enough to remember recall with enthusiasm the days of US Military presence on the island.


Isla Taboga's wholesome, healthy atmosphere has been recognized since colonial days when Panama City residents flocked to the island for a respite from the city heat. On several occasions throughout its history, Isla Taboga has been un-officially the summer capital of Panama City. Each weekend, people from many parts of the world visit its tranquil environs, swim in its tropical waters, stop to smell the roses.

This is Taboga Island as we knew it. It was a neat little village with white sandy beaches. I got stung by a jellyfish here once. I still have some jewelry that I bought here. One is a beautiful mother of pearl bracelet that I paid $5. for.

Aaron flirted with girls here on this Island. Some girl about 16 or 17 called him "Baby" and he was hooked for the remainder of the weekend. The third grader loved girls as much then as ever he did! ;0

And this too, is where Sumlin lost his life, impressing a new found love himself. For her, he went out on the waters he was deeply afraid of. A novice at romance, Sumlin, shy but anxious, was too embarrassed to tell the Panamanian beauty that he couldn't swim and was afraid of the water. Her life was spared, but Sumlin lost his.

My NCOIC called on me to go with him to Gorgas to identify Sumlin's body the next morning. I've heard that drowning turns into a pleasant death. Sumlin, left exactly in the state he died in, tube still inserted in mouth, those eyes, still open, unbelieving and wild, the eyes of a 21 year old from Alabama said different.

More to come....