THE RAILROAD WORKSHOPS IN AGUASCALIENTES: history, architecture and workers' memory

The arrival of industrialization in Aguascalientes disrupted the course of the state. Before the arrival of the railroad in 1884, there were no major changes in the city in terms of industries, with agriculture being the main economic activity carried out. In 1833, before the construction of the railway line, there were 37 industrial establishments in the city, out of the 41 that existed in the state.
By 1895, the situation had transformed. Although agriculture did not lose its place as the main occupation, large-scale industry made its entry into the state with the arrival of the Gran Fundición Central Mexicana. The important industries founded before the arrival of the railroad totaled 1,025 workers, while the foundry alone employed 1,000 workers. By 1897, the Central Railroad established its main repair and maintenance workshop for locomotives and rolling stock in the city, which was completed in 1903, employing more than 1,000 workers.
This turn in the industrial life of the city meant a radical change. Towards the end of the 19th century, the urban area began to absorb land that used to be gardens and orchards, first housing the large buildings required by industries, and then accommodating the homes of workers in the surrounding areas, whose population grew in an unusual way. In reaction to the appearance of both, new streets were opened, urban transport (tram) appeared, and two new markets were opened. By 1900, the city's population had reached 35,000 inhabitants.
This series of events had social and urban repercussions, which gave Aguascalientes a new imaginary, by changing its environment in a social, spatial, and economic way, in addition to the appearance of a new social group, the worker.