This paper describes the main features of the economy of Antioquia during the second half of the 19th century. It tries to identify if it followed a local economic development model. In addition to a novel reinterpretation of the economic takeoff of Antioquia, based on recent sources collected, the paper represents a major contribution in the theory of local development, since, through a axiomatization process, it is proved that many of the considerations of the local development approach, usually considered acceptable in the context of post-industrial societies, are, indeed, correct in pre-industrial societies also. After conducting this as a conceptual framework and describing the characteristics of Antioquia pattern of economic development, trying to identify elements that could resemble it to an archetypal model of local development, the document concludes with some reflections on the case of study.