The Canal Zone was a U.S. dependency within the country of Panama from 1904 to 1979. The Zone was established by a treaty between the United States and Panama which gave the U.S. the right to build and operate a canal and to act as a sovereign within the Zone. The Zone extended approximately 40 miles along each side of the canal. As a U.S. dependency, the Canal Zone was subject to U.S. laws and executive orders, and its District Court was under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth District, headquartered in New Orleans. Under the Panama Canal Zone Treaty of 1977, the Zone was abolished in 1979, and Panama regained its sovereignty over the territory and assumed responsibility for the operation of the Canal.
From the description of U.S. District Court for the Canal Zone records, 1907-1945. (Louisiana State University). WorldCat record id: 122519508
