Remember when this area was just the fifth district? Parada Robles has grown so much since then. It’s quite a story how this town came to be.
Parada Robles is a small town in Buenos Aires Province. It belongs to the Exaltación de la Cruz district. Today, we will explore its origins.
Let’s step back to 1877. A school began in the Costa de la Pesquería area. This was the fifth district. The school moved in 1883. Its new location was Campo de Gutiérrez. In 1896, it moved again to Campo de Emilio Baribotto. Finally, in 1907, Doña Agrada Gutiérrez de Garibotto donated land for the school.
The school moved to its present location on May 1, 1914. Classes started there on February 1, 1915. Slowly, the area began to develop.
The Robles family became important around 1929. Road construction started in 1932 or 1933. This was Route 8. By 1935, old cart roads connected to the new Route 8. This route stretched all the way to Rosario.
In 1938, the first gas station opened. A man named Mr. Dezaa ran it. Then, in 1939, Marciano Robles Sr. arranged for a post office. That same year, Balige Hnos. began storing grain.
The post office opened on October 22, 1940. This date became the anniversary of Parada Robles. Rancho Grande restaurant opened in 1941. The Ponti family owned it. Armando Sosa was the first customer.
Balige Hnos. opened a forage warehouse in 1942. De Luca’s general store used to be where Almacén el Tucumán is now.
In 1945, Mr. Ruso sold his store to the Boineau family. Adelia Boineau was known for her kindness. That same year, Francisco “Pancho” Batalla started a meat delivery service. Also, Don Camilo Álvarez began delivering milk.
Land development began in 1948. This was in the current Barrio Fernández. Two trucks full of lettuce went to Buenos Aires daily from here. The Kunsch brothers opened a brick factory behind the current YPF station. It was called Zompeco. It operated until 1961. O. Ponti had a tile factory there from 1959 to 1961.
In 1950, Mr. Camisa’s land was divided and named Parada Robles. Don Castro, Don Vigil, and Don Sánchez built the first houses. A cheese salesman named Mr. González visited from San A. de Giles.
Sergeant Sosa lived where the police station is now in 1949. Where FATICA stands today, Mr. Grete had an apple orchard.
A monument honoring Manuel Cruz was erected on October 5, 1952. He was an exemplary teacher. Neighbors like Onoratti and Arturo Mateo collected funds to build a bus stop. It was located at the intersection of old Route 8 and Route 192. The Chevallier transport company used this stop.
Japanese immigrants arrived in 1956. They grew flowers and vegetables. Some of their houses still stand.
In 1960, residents formed a sports club. Humberto Balige was the president. It became Club Social y Deportivo Robles. They held soccer tournaments and dances to raise money. The anniversary parties at Rancho Grande and Bar Boineau were famous.
Gervasio Onoratti’s store and Faber Darget’s butcher shop opened in 1961.
Shell and YPF gas stations were built in 1963. The Sciacaluga brothers owned Bar El Pepito next to the Shell station. Coco Darget’s hair salon opened. Eduardo Ávalos was its first customer.
Construction of FATICA began in 1964. Neighbors arranged for electricity in 1967.
In 1969, CEPRAL cooperative began with 28 members. The first utility pole was planted in 1970. It covered 22 km of lines under the direction of Mr. Scalvi. The Fusco family opened a bar and antique shop.
Bar Amanecer opened in 1971. San José bus company began service to Moreno in 1975 from San Antonio de Areco.
The first aid room closed. It reopened in 1983.
Charrato’s butcher shop opened in 1977. Alfredo Onoratti’s bakery opened in 1981. Today, it is Minimercado LA AMISTAD. Other businesses opened including Parodi, Tercel, and Fanacoa. Trash collection started that year.
In 1983, CEPRAL had a cement post factory. It also distributed bottled gas thanks to Mr. Robles.
A kindergarten, a municipal delegation, a police station, and public lighting came to Parada Robles in 1985. San José bus company ran to Luján. Paraná bus company ran from Luján to Zárate. Chevallier had an agency in “La Aldea.”
Balige Hnos. built grain silos in 1986. A Criollo center was created in 1988. Another silo plant opened too.
Parada Robles has grown from a small school location to a thriving community. Its history is rich with the efforts of many people. They shaped it into the town we see today.