Gazing around, you would never guess Tortuguitas began as just a railway stop. Can you imagine a quiet rural landscape transforming into a bustling city? Today, Tortuguitas is a vibrant part of the Malvinas Argentinas. It sits 39 km from Buenos Aires.
Tortuguitas owes its existence to a decree signed in 1947. Juan Domingo Perón, then president, created the Tortuguitas station. This happened on kilometer 40 of the Ferrocarril General Belgrano. Before the station, it was only a railway siding. It started as Apeadero km 40.
The Tortugas Country Club played a vital role. Founded by Antonio Maura around 1930, it stood on land once owned by Dr. Wenceslao Escalante. Club members wanted a convenient way to reach their polo club. They petitioned for a train station. Legend says that Sara Escalante joked about the slow horses of the club. She suggested naming it after the turtles. The humor stuck.
Alonso Escobar, a member of Juan de Garay’s expedition in 1580, was one of the first landowners. The land passed through many hands. Eventually, Dr. Wenceslao Escalante bought a portion for the Tortugas Country Club. Miguel Parra owned another section, which later became Tortuguitas.
In 1925, the País brothers donated land for a train stop. By 1947, Tortuguitas was a tranquil area. Dairy farms were common. A “milk train” passed through Tortuguitas daily. It collected milk from Santa Lucía. It transported it to Boulogne.
A cooperative was founded in 1967. It aimed to provide telephone service to residents. Initially, there was only one public phone. In 1971, 100 lines were available, but calls were limited to the town.
The cooperative expanded with Tortuguitas. In 1980, it moved to a new building. The cooperative introduced digital technology in 1992. In 1997, it launched “Tortuguitas, the First Virtual Community in the Country.” It became a hub for cultural activities. It hosts workshops, exhibits, and concerts.
Today, Tortuguitas has grown significantly. The Tortuguitas Cooperative provides phone and internet services. It serves over 35000 phone lines. It has expanded into José C. Paz and San Miguel. The city was officially declared a city on December 9, 2020.