About Us History of Paraiso Mission Statement Bulletin Board 45th Anniversary Information Memorial History of Paraiso In July 1913, the Dredging Division (heir to the Construction era Sixth Division) chose Paraiso as its headquarters, and the town’s machine shops were once again refurbished to repair dredges used to keep the Culebra Cut open. By 1918, the Dredging Division’s workforce was reduced as the danger of land slides abated. Paraiso’s American work force was moved to the nearby town of Pedro Miguel and Paraiso became a segregated, “silver” town. Paraiso’s residential areas were divided into subdivisions named Jamaica Town , Hamilton Hill and Spanish Town . In 1936, the Dredging Division was officially relocated to the town of Gamboa and Paraiso was abandoned as a Canal Zone settlement. It was fully abandoned in 1938 and became a military post in November 1939. Camp Paraiso became home to troops of the Fifth Infantry, who built barracks, quarters, a post exchange and a movie theater. The post was tasked with defending the Canal, but by 1943 it was closed as a military camp. In 1944, Paraiso became a Canal Zone town once again. The Army quarters were remodeled into family quarters and barracks into bachelor housing. The Army theater and post exchange became the town’s clubhouse, the commissary was reopened and a new school was built for the elementary grades. This school later became Paraiso Junior High School . During the 1950s, the town was further developed and improved and was considered one of the Canal Zone ’s most modern communities. In 1953, 230 masonry quarters replaced the earlier wooden quarters. These were built by the firm of Tucker McClure, which in February 1952 was awarded a contract for $1,664,866 to build the town's new houses in just over one year. Two years later, in 1955, a new Civic Center was opened. It was the first of the Canal Zone ’s Civic Centers to be built for that purpose and included a post office, first aid station, luncheonette and meeting room. It was also the first building in the Canal Zone through whose roof trees grow on purpose. Further additions to Paraiso included a new commissary and a new high school, inaugurated in 1956. Modern Paraiso had its neighborhoods like its predecessor did. In the early 1950s, as the town's modern housing was completed, the Paraisanos There was Lakeview near the Canal, Spanish Town along the Gaillard Highway , Jamaica Town near the baseball diamond, Ghost Town next to the French cemetery, Beverly Hills in the “heights” area of Paraiso near the water tower, and Dogpatch just below Beverly Hills . Paraisanos during the Canal Zone era were renown for their civic pride, their excellent schools and the pride of the Paraiso High School Bengals. The town remained a de-facto segregated town until the abolition of the Canal Zone in 1979. Reprinted from www.wikipedia.org Back to Top Mission Statement The members of Paraiso High school class of 1965, hereby promise-undying service to our fellow classmates, families, friends and our community. We further seek to promote inclusiveness, foster unity, promote responsible leadership, and strive for excellence in all we do. As a committed faith-based group, we hereby promise always to do the right thing. Back to Top 45th Anniversary Information Date Sunday April 4, 2010 Monday April 5, 2010 Tuesday April 6, 2010 Friday April 9, 2010 Saturday April 10, 2010 Departure 7:00 AM   8:00 AM 9:00 AM   Event Church Service Daytime Free Anton Tour Indian Village Daytime Free Location St. Alban's Episcopal Church Paraiso, Panama   El Valle de Anton Embera     11:00 AM 8:00 PM OPTIONAL 3:00 pm April 6 to 8 OPTIONAL See below 8:00 PM   Brunch Buffet Miraflores Restaurant Meet & Greet Waikiki Restaurant Decamerom Resort   Hotel E. Panama Anniversary Dinner Dance OPTIONAL: DECAMERON & VILLAGE TOUR     $120.00 / $55.00 Embera-Indian Village The tour of the Embera Indian Village promises to be a unique cultural experience. The visitor will experience the traditions and lifestyle of this indigeneous ethnic group who lives comfortably without our modern commodities and accomodations Individual cost by Activity   Church Svc & Brunch $45.00 70's Meet & Greet $20.00 El Valle de Anton Tour $40.00 Dinner Dance $60.00 Decameron (Tues to Thurs) $120.00 Embera Village Tour $55.00 Back to Top