URBAN AND ARCHITECTURAL PERMANENCE OF PUERTO BALLETO, MARÍA MADRE ISLAND, MEXICO: 1905-2010

Abstract

The architectural permanence that is preserved in the urban complex in Puerto Balleto, María Madre Island of the Tourist and Cultural Recreation Center of the Marías Islands, is a product of the historical legacy of the built material culture of what was the main camp of the extinct colony Marías Islands federal prison. This penal colony was founded in 1905 and closed in 2010, this closure represented the last and final stage of the island penal colonies of Latin America; these emerged at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. According to studies carried out and published by Avilés (2009-2020), this penal colony stands out as a sui generis case due to its forms of penitentiary organization and spaces of the extinct island penal colonies of Latin America. The article provides the historical description of the urban and architectural development of what was the Balleto camp from 1905 to 2010,
in its history as a total institution and community; with the purpose that this camp is considered a cultural heritage value, with the purpose of creating the necessary bridge that unites its past as a penitentiary and its present as a tourist and cultural recreation center; and thus, open a window to its conservation for future generations.