“Alberto Casares, Intendente de Buenos Aires”, that’s what the plaque says. It is a testament to a man who shaped this city in ways you might not realize. Alberto Casares served as the mayor of Buenos Aires not once but twice. His terms were from 1902 to 1904 and again in 1906.
Alberto Casares was born in Buenos Aires on January 23, 1855. He came from a prominent family. His father was Sebastián Casares and his mother was Dolores Urioste Molina. Both families were part of the Buenos Aires elite. On his father’s side, Alberto was the grandson of Vicente Casares. Vicente owned major shipping companies. He even served as the Spanish Consul General in Buenos Aires. On his mother’s side, he was the grandson of Félix Urioste. Félix was a Spanish landowner. He was involved with the banks of the Province of Buenos Aires and the National Bank.
Casares married Isabel Lumb and together they had four children. He was also a member of the Jockey Club. Before becoming mayor, Casares held several important positions. In 1882, he was part of the Riachuelo Channeling Commission. In 1884, he became the municipal mayor of Arrecifes. His mother’s family owned land there. Later, in 1886, he was a director of the Bank of the Province of Buenos Aires. By 1890, he became the bank’s president.
In October 1890, he was appointed Minister of Finance of the province of Buenos Aires. He resigned to become a provincial legislator. However, he soon left politics due to disagreements with Governor Costa. In 1892, President Carlos Pellegrini appointed him Director of the Conversion Fund. He also served on the School Council of the Capital Federal’s first district.
Casares ran for vice-governor of Buenos Aires in 1898. He represented the Partido Nacional Independiente. In September 1898, he was appointed General Intendant of the Navy. This was during a conflict with Chile. He resigned from the Navy when President Julio Argentino Roca made him Mayor of Buenos Aires in 1902.
During his first term as mayor, several significant events occurred. The Monument to Garibaldi was inaugurated in Plaza Italia in 1904. Also the Second Municipal Census was conducted. Casares reorganized the city’s finances and waste collection. A municipal ordinance was passed to widen several streets into avenues. This included Caseros, Garay, San Juan, and others.
Casares was appointed mayor again in 1906 by President Manuel Quintana. During this term, the city purchased the Quinta Hale from Baring Brothers. Casares planned to develop the land into an aristocratic residential area. He hired French architect Joseph Bouvard to design the streets. This area is now known as La Isla.
Alberto Casares died on November 9, 1906, at the age of 51. This was shortly after his second appointment as mayor. Manuel Obarrio was named interim mayor.
So, when you look at the Alberto Casares Plaque, remember the man behind the name. He contributed to the Buenos Aires we know today.