Bahía Blanca

History

Nowadays, Bahía Blanca is the main commercial center in southern Buenos Aires. It has approximately 300,000 inhabitants. Head of the district, this city is a mandatory stop for all travelers to Patagonia and it boasts one of the most important deep water ports in the country.

In 1520, Ferdinand Magellan was the first one to spot a bay with salty residues that reflected its white hues. It was then called Baxos de arenas blancas. Later on, it was given its present name: Bahía Blanca (White Bay). Its port, Ingeniero White, was originally known as Nueva Buenos Aires (New Buenos Aires).

Even though the extension of the full bay was determined and legally charted in 1822 by Captain Morel, it was not until one year later that Mr. Valentín García was appointed by the governor to explore the area according to the data gathered by Morel. Thus, in 1824 García sent a key report that enabled forts to be settled in the zone. Shortly afterwards, the first denizens began to arrive.

In 1828, an expedition led by Ramón Estomba set out at Fort Independencia in Tandil and reached Bahía some weeks later. The so-called Fortaleza Protectora Argentina (Argentinian Protecting Fort) was created on April 11, in the same year. Ever since, that date has been considered as the foundation date.

The twon grew around the fort. Bahía Blanca was finally declared city on October 22, 1895. Mr. Teófilo Bordeau was then appointed first mayor. Years later, Mr. Luis C. Caronti became the first mayor born in the district.

The local agricultural production was highly favored in 1884, when the first railway reached the town. Therefore, the chance to search for other destinations and other ports caused the area infrastructure to grow even more, as a result of the construction of barracks, ports, railways, sheds and an iron pier that enhanced commercial exchange.