The Old Railway Station in San Miguel de Allende has two completely opposite faces. From the front, the abandonment and vandalism to which this building has been subjected is barely noticeable; just take a few steps around it and discover that it has become a public bathroom and a shelter for homeless people.
This is the building that welcomes visitors from the state capital. After crossing the tracks, tourists can see, from their vehicle or bus, the historic building that appears to be in good condition despite the fact that it is no longer used. However, from the back it is completely different.
All the windows at the back of the building have been stoned. The broken glass reveals that the site still houses office furniture and some pieces from the exhibition that the civil association ‘Friends of the Guanajuato Railway’ put on in 2019, one of the last times that this building was used.
The remains of a large model of a train track have stones thrown from outside to break the window panes on them.
One of the wooden doors is broken and serves as an entrance for those who use the place as a shelter and bathroom. At least one man, who sleeps inside, goes out in the mornings with a blanket in hand to walk around the area. The place gives off a foul smell.
The graffiti is also kept away from the public eye, those who do it make sure to do it on the side of the building that is not visible to the naked eye, which is also where there is less surveillance.
The Old Train Station of San Miguel de Allende is a building whose construction is more than 130 years old, at least 12 years ago investment was made in its rescue and rehabilitation, and the municipality obtained permission from the owners to occupy it as a cultural space, although it was little used.
In 2016, it served as the setting for the film “La promesa”, directed by Óscar Blancarte, and in 2017, the square in front of the historic building was intervened to create a municipal space, which served as a joint venue for exhibitions, craft sales and events. However, over time and after the model train exhibition in 2019, the venue was closed and has not been used again.
Source: periodicocorreo
