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Show PANAMA IS NOT OLDEST CITY First Town Built In 1519 was Destroyed De-stroyed by Morgan Present City Some Miles Away. Recently It has frequently beon stated (and nearly as often disputed) that Panama is the oldest city on the American continent. The discussion Is apparently settled In a published letter by O. W. Redway, who, quoting quot-ing from historical authorities, says tho present city was founded In 1673. Old Panama, however, was founded by Pedro Arias In 1619, and In Its tlmo was the oldest town built by Europeans Euro-peans on tho main land of tho American Ameri-can continent. San Domingo, on the Island ot Haytl, is older by fifteen years, having been founded In 1564 by Diego Columbus. "When Sir Henry Morgan," continues contin-ues Mr. Redwny, "was doing business, ho took a shipload of buccaneers and seized Old Providence, on Island not far from tho Caribbean coast of tho Isthmus ot Panama, and making this the ostensible base of operations, he attacked and captured Darton, and thenco mado his way across tho Isthmus Isth-mus and captured Panama, burning and destroying the city. "This occurred In 1671. Two years later the present city was rebuilt by Vlllacosta, a few miles distant from Old Panama, tbo ruins of which are still standing. In fact, the site Is now occupied by a native village." |
