Introduction
The area where the city of Mar del Plata currently lies was known as Costa Galana, Lobería Chica, Vulcán Region, Punta de los Lobos, etc.
The natives, called Pampas or Serranos by the Spanish, dominated the region before the arrival of the Europeans and therefore boast the title of first settlers.
The arrival of white men to this area of Buenos Aires province took place in 1581, with the exploration expedition led by Juan de Garay.
In 1746, at the request of the Spanish king, the Reducción de Nuestra Señora del Pilar (settlement for indigenous people converted to Christian faith) organized by the Jesuit order was founded by Las Cabrillas Lake (nowadays Laguna de los Padres). It was led by the missionaries José Cardiel, Tomás Falkner and P. Balda, and the indigenous population there reached as many as 1,200 members. This encouraged the priests to request the place be considered a town, but despite the acceptance of such request, life in this settlement was ephemeral, as it succumbed under indigenous people’s attacks. The missionaries finally abandoned the site on September 1, 1751.
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 Coelho de Meyrelles: The idea of fostering a more active exchange current with Brazil induced a Portuguese consortium to found a salted meat factory in this area, for being geographically suitable. José Coelho de Meyrelles, who arrived in this area by the late 1856, was the man in charge of this establishment as well as of other undertakings. Later, he moved to the outlet of San Ignacio stream, Las Chacras stream by that time (nowadays cased and crossing downtown). There, he ordered a new salted meat factory to be erected on the current Luro Ave. between Santiago del Estero and Santa Fe streets as well as an iron pier opposite what nowadays is Punta Iglesia. In the lands comprised between San Luis St., San Martin St., Santiago del Estero St. and Alberdi Diagonal, a great “palo a pique” pen (vertical log construction) was built. The settlement next to the salted meat factory came to be known as Puerto de la Laguna de los Padres.
The economic loss and health problems affecting José Coelho de Meyrelles made him finally sell his property to Patricio Peralta Ramos.
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 Patricio Peralta Ramos The founder: Patricio Peralta Ramos was born in Buenos Aires on July 17, 1814. He was a methodical man of adventurous spirit who devoted himself completely to rural life. The extensive deserted fields in Rojas district were populated under his command, and several important establishments were founded thereafter. In 1860, he acquired a 32-league field from Coelho de Meyrelles, which comprised the cattle ranches in Laguna de los Padres, San Julián de Vivoratá and La Armonía de Cobo.
Aware of the great future ahead of this area, Mr. Peralta Ramos used his best efforts and imparted a vigorous impulse to associate and exploit the salted meat factory founded by Mr. Meyrelles. In 1873, he decided to build Santa Cecilia Chapel, named after Don Patricio's wife, Mrs. Cecilia Robles. In November of that same year, he started negotiations with Mariano Acosta, governor of Buenos Aires province, for the recognition of Puerto Laguna de los Padres foundation. Such lands were his own property and belonged to Balcarce district. He also stressed that the name they should bear should be Mar del Plata. Finally, the Ordinance dated February 10, 1874 signed by the governor of Buenos Aires province provided for the town foundation. This date would later become the foundation day of Mar del Plata city.
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 Pedro Luro The promoter: A decisive event in the development of Mar del Plata city took form with the arrival of an active salted meat factory man from Tuyú. In 1877, Mr. Pedro Luro took charge of the factory, giving a vertiginous rhythm to population development. Concurrently, he undertook several projects, ordered the construction of a new pier, had a barrack built, promoted agriculture by opening a flour mill, encouraged housing development, the opening of shops, etc.
María Luro de Chevalier, Mr. Pedro Luro´s daughter, favored the construction of San Pedro Church, today Santos Pedro y Cecilia Cathedral. José Luro, on his part, inaugurated the Bristol Hotel and Dr. Pedro Olegario Luro launched the construction of Mar del Plata port. Pedro Luro, together with his children, played a decisive role in this emerging Mar del Pata, and led a persistent way towards the progress of this town.
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| Foundation of General Pueyrredon District |
Mar del Plata is declared city:
Pursuant to the law passed on October 15, 1879, the provincial Legislature founded the General Pueyrredon District, thereby dividing the General Balcarce district into two. On October 25, 1906, a new project was submitted to the legislature, requesting Mar del Plata be recognized as city. In the session dated July 19, 1907, the motion was passed. On December 13, 1880, Mr. Antonio Alvarez was appointed Justice of the Peace as well as the first president of the Municipal Corporation, to be succeeded in 1883 by Ovidio Zubiaurre. In 1887, the provincial Executive Power appointed Fortunato de la Plaza as the first mayor of General Pueyrredon district.
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Curiosities
a) Why is this city called Mar del Plata (Silver Sea)?
None of Patricio Peralta Ramos’s relatives knows the reason why the founder chose this particular name. Still, two suppositions open up:
1) As the natives described Mar del Plata’s beaches as avin inalco, which means brilliant, shinny, probably this city owes its name to this appreciation;
2) That the term “Río de la Plata” (silver river) turned into “Mar del Plata” (silver sea) when referring to this sea-side city.
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The first train to arrive:
Upon the approval of the railway siding extension between Maipú and Mar del Plata cities, after negotiations fueled by Dardo Rocha, governor of Buenos Aires province by then, the first train arrived in Mar del Plata on September 26, 1886.
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Thanks to Dr. Pedro O. Luro´s initiative, the Congress of the Republic passed National Law No. 6.499 dated October 11, 1909, which authorized the construction of an overseas port in Mar del Plata.
In October 1911, construction works started in the port. Months before, the company had built workshops, power houses, and workrooms; it had also opened quarries and constructed service access routes.
On February 24, 1913, the port was officially inaugurated. An Official Record was drafted, and later placed in the foundation stone of the South Breakwater.
Works reached their peak in August 1914. Even though they did not come to a halt throughout 1914 - 1918, they certainly slowed down considerably. The Dársena de Pescadores (wharf), the fishing boat platforms and the customs warehouses date back to this period. Also, the southern railroad railways, extending towards the wharf, originated by this time. Port activities increased, and fishermen started to settle down in this area (1917).
On October 9, 1922, the official inauguration of Deck No. 1 took place. The official act of this 300-meter coastal shipping deck was attended by several central figures and public national officials.
In November 1922, the Societe Generale de Travaux Publics concluded its works.
In 1934, National Law 11.615, which provided for the conclusion of the works at Mar del Plata port, was passed. |
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Medical Assistance
On August, 15, 1891, a health center was opened to provide low-income people with medical care. It was located in the current 25 de Mayo and La Rioja streets. This project was undertaken through the Initiative of the Benefit Association for Poor People’s Aid. In 1903, Mar del Plata’s Hospital was founded.
Regular School No. 1
The foundation stone of the first building devoted to our city was placed in the block comprised by 11 de Septiembre, 3 de Febrero, Hipólito Yrigoyen and Mitre streets. It was donated to the General Board of Education in 1870. The authorization for the erection of such educational establishment is attributed to Florisbelo Acosta. It was called San José Rural Asylum, and operated under such name until 1875, when, pursuant to the law of Regular Education passed that same year, it was handed down to the School Council and named thereafter Regular School No 1 for boys. Its first teacher was Don José Lijo López.
The building has been declared of patrimonial interest under Ordinance No. 10075/95 of the Honorable Concejo Deliberante of General Pueyrredon (town council). |
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