History of Los Antiguos



Los Antiguos is characterized by its attractive physiognomy of a valley upholstered by fruit farms growing plums and strawberries, to name a few. In 1955, the local economy collapsed in 1955 when Chilean minerals were no longer allowed through the border in order to be shipped in the Atlantic at Puerto Deseado. As a result, an alternative industry had to be boosted. It was then when these highly visually attractive and natural trees began to be planted. In 1921, a National decree provided for the creation of several towns and colonies, among which Leandro N. Alem (to the Northwest of the Province of Santa Cruz) was mentioned. The so-called Los Antiguos mix-colony was created within the latter in 1938. Featuring 8,300 hectares, the name of this colony corresponded to a Tehuelche voice: I-Keu-khon, which stands for “site of the elderly” and referred to this place as a sacred space for Tehuelche old denizens. In 1938, the lands of the town and the farms were measured and it was then when the traffic of minerals -zinc, copper and lead, among others- started. These minerals were part of the original Chilean exploitations around Lake General Carrera and they crossed the area towards Puerto Deseado, where they were shipped to Santiago de Chile. This was due to the fact that communications within Chilean territory were impossible back then. This situation was modified by the interruption of traffic in 1955, when -as mentioned above- fruit and vegetables began to be grown. This activity has become so important in the area that the Provincial Plum Festival is held every year in January.

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