List of governors of the Panama Canal Zone facts for kids

The Panama Canal Zone was a special area around the Panama Canal that was controlled by the United States for many years. From 1904 until 1979, this zone had its own leaders called governors. These governors were in charge of making sure the Canal ran smoothly and that life in the Zone was organized.

This article lists the people who served as governors of the Panama Canal Zone during the time it was under U.S. control. They played a big part in the history of this important waterway.

Military Governors (1904–1914)

At first, the Panama Canal Zone was managed by military leaders. These governors were often officers from the U.S. Army. They helped set up the rules and systems for the new Canal Zone.

Image	Name	Took office	Left office	Notes
	George Whitefield Davis	14 May 1904	24 May 1905
	Charles Edward Magoon	25 May 1905	12 October 1906
	Richard Reid Rogers	19 November 1906	31 March 1907	He was the main lawyer for the group building the Canal.
	Joseph Clay Stiles Blackburn	1 April 1907	4 December 1909
	Maurice Thatcher	13 May 1910	8 August 1913
	Richard Lee Metcalfe	9 August 1913	31 March 1914

Military and Civil Governors (1914–1924)

After the Canal was finished, the role of governor changed. It became a mix of military and civilian leadership. The first civil governor was appointed by the U.S. President.

Image	Name	Took office	Left office	Notes
	George Washington Goethals	1 April 1914	10 January 1917	He was the first U.S. civil governor, chosen by President Woodrow Wilson.
	Chester Harding	11 January 1917	27 March 1921
	Jay Johnson Morrow	28 March 1921	15 October 1924

Civil Governors (1924–1979)

From 1924 onwards, the governors were mainly civilians. They continued to manage the Canal Zone, overseeing its daily operations and the people living there. This period lasted until the Canal Zone was handed over to Panama.

Image	Name	Took office	Left office	Notes
	Meriwether Lewis Walker	16 October 1924	15 October 1928
	Harry Burgess	16 October 1928	20 October 1932
	Julian Larcombe Schley	21 October 1932	26 August 1936
	Clarence S. Ridley	27 August 1936	10 July 1940
	Glen Edgar Edgerton	11 July 1940	15 May 1944
	Joseph Cowles Mehaffey	16 May 1944	19 May 1948
	Francis K. Newcomer	20 May 1948	26 May 1952
	John States Seybold	27 May 1952	27 May 1956
	William Everett Potter	28 May 1956	30 June 1960
	William Arnold Carter	1 July 1960	31 January 1962
	Robert John Fleming	1 February 1962	31 January 1967
	Walter Philip Leber	21 February 1967	2 March 1971
	David Stuart Parker	3 March 1971	25 March 1975
	Harold Parfitt	26 March 1975	30 September 1979

See also

• Panama Canal Zone