Ernest Hallen

• Name — Ernest Hallen • Born — 1875 • Birthplace — Atlanta, Georgia • Died — 1947 • Place of death — Monterey Park, California • Citizenship — United States • Occupation — Photographer • Years Active — 1907 - 1937 • Employer — Isthmian Canal Commission • Organization — Isthmian Canal Commission • Known for — Official photographer of the Panama Canal • Spouse — Maude Hallen • Children — 2 daughters • Awards — Roosevelt Medal

Hallen was born in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1875. After spending six years in Puerto Rico and two years in Cuba, he was appointed as the official photographer of the Panama Canal by the Isthmian Canal Commission in 1907. Hallen was contracted to capture “… a series of photographs… about once a month… to show construction progress” to satisfy both Washington and the American public. In addition to showing the construction and progress of the Panama Canal, Hallen depicted the day-to-day life of the “Zonians” – Americans living in the Panama Canal Zone - and its development over the course of the years. Throughout his 30-year career, Hallen produced between 12,000 and 16,000 images, each with a “strangely satisfying aesthetic experience” portraying life in the Panama Canal Zone. For his service to the Panama Canal Zone and as an employee of the Isthmian Canal Commission, Hallen was awarded the Roosevelt Medal with two bars. Hallen retired as the official photographer of the Panama Canal Zone in 1937, after 30 years of service. Hallen and his wife Maude then moved to Monterey Park, California. Hallen died in 1947 at the age of 72. The University of Florida Digital Collections maintains an extensive collection of Hallen's work for the Isthmian Canal Commission.

• Illustration — One Family House in Empire, south of Las Cascadas • Illustration — Explosion in Progress-Bas Obispo Cut, September 19, 1907 • Illustration — Shovels at work at Culebra Cut, May 20, 1913 • Illustration — Gatun Upper Locks, March 12, 1912 • Illustration — Steamshovel Loading Rock, March 1911

The following is established of the heading itself.

The following works and productions are recorded by name or by count. Recorded with the occupation photographer. It is also recorded that ernest Hallen is recorded as a citizen of United States. Institutional cataloguing adds that ernest Hallen is recorded with the gender male. It is also recorded that ernest Hallen was born in Atlanta. Institutional cataloguing adds that ernest Hallen died in Monterey Park.