Industrial Archeology and revitalization of the first industrial colony of Latin America: “La Constancia Mexicana” (1835-1991)

Abstract

In this paper we present an account of the current intervention that has been done in the industrial site of the first mechanized textile factory in Latin America, called by their founders: Estevan de Antuñano and Gumersindo Saviñón, “La Constancia Mexicana”. The Company Town or working-class Hamlet was built, in a first stage that goes from 1835-1847 on the sides of the main factory building over the ancient “calpanerias” of the laborers carried of the former hacienda Santo Domingo, “peones acasillados” and whose remains, along with quadrilateral working class houses founded towards the end of the 19th century. Both sites bring together a unique heritage space in the region and the country. Some other representative elements of the manufacturing system and its evolution until the end of 1991 are described and how they are actually reused in the current cultural and musical Centre. An interpretation centre has been proposed for better understanding of whole site by future visitors.