Abstract

The construction of the railway between the cities of Santiago and Valparaíso, was one of the greatest technological advances of the mid-nineteenth century. Opened on September 14, 1863 and together with the modernization of the port of Valparaíso, the associated technology would also reach the hills through the construction of massive elevators. The previous technology transfer would impact the lives of the inhabitants of the port. The construction of the elevators was part of a group of actions to facilitate the life in the hills, along with providing services, water and urban equipment in the high areas. Through an historical and ethnographic analysis, the impact of the technological transfer of the railroad through the elevators will be exposed in the daily life of its inhabitants from the focus of mobility. Also, the spatial transformations of the hills that allowed the construction of a particular residential habitat, in the moments of boom, validity and decline of this transport system.