Presences and Absences in Historical Documentation: The Case of Barrio Abajo (Barranquilla, Colombia), 1857–1979

Abstract

This article analyzes the methodological challenges and the tensions between history, memory, and archives in the study of Barrio Abajo, an area currently recognized as a Cultural Heritage Asset of the District of Barranquilla. It argues that its modern settlement emerged as a response to the city’s demographic and economic growth during the second half of the nineteenth century, consolidating itself as a residential area for workers from the Customs House and Montoya Station. From its origins, the neighborhood combined residential, commercial, and industrial functions. During the twentieth century, it became a transitional space between the industrial zone and the northern part of the city, preserving its popular character while becoming the target of multiple — and unsuccessful — urban renewal projects. The research is based on documentary sources from national and local archives, digital repositories, and group interviews conducted in 2024 with neighborhood residents.