Imagine a time when the paths through Riacho Grande were just trails. These trails connected the high plateau to the coast of Sāo Paulo. This is the story of Riacho Grande. Since the 16th century, travelers used these paths. Inns and ranches offered them rest. Today, those places are gone.
The village of Riacho Grande grew near the Old Road of Santos. It started from the colonial line of the Rio Grande. This area was part of the São Bernardo Colonial Nucleus. In 1927, the Billings Reservoir flooded part of this area.
In the late 19th century, other colonial lines were established. These included Bernardino de Campos, Campos Sales, and others. European immigrants settled in these areas. They began by extracting wood and selling charcoal. Soon, Riacho Grande became the cradle of the São Bernardo furniture industry. The first furniture factories and sawmills were here.
The Finco neighborhood also has a story. In 1889, Fortunato Finco an Italian man settled here. He built a sawmill. Later, it became a chair factory.
Riacho Grande became a police district in São Bernardo. In 1948, it officially became a district. This happened by Law number 233. It included the village of Riacho Grande and land from São Bernardo do Campo.
In 2010, the population was 29302. The district covers 278.276 square kilometers.
Today, Riacho Grande has many neighborhoods. The Subprefecture of Riacho Grande manages them.
The Rodovia Anchieta is the main road to Riacho Grande. Other highways also provide access. These include Rodovia Caminho do Mar and others.
You can even reach Ilha do Bororé by taking the Taquacetuba ferry. It is located at the end of the road of the same name.
Riacho Grande offers attractions today. The Prainha do Riacho Grande is on the Billings Reservoir. It has attractions for all ages. The Parque Ecológico Imigrantes is dedicated to the Atlantic Forest. The Parque Natural Municipal Estoril protects the Atlantic Forest and Billings Reservoir. It features a cable car and walking trails.
Caminhos do Mar is in the Serra do Mar State Park. It preserves the Atlantic Forest. It also promotes environmental education. One attraction is the Tirolesa Voo da Serra. It offers views of the park and the coast. The park also has historical monuments built in 1922.
Riacho Grande has two indigenous villages. These are the Guyrapa-Ju village and part of the Krukutu village.
Christianity is present in Riacho Grande. The Catholic Church is part of the Diocese of Santo André. There are also Assembleia de Deus and Congregação Cristã no Brasil churches.
The ISA Energia Brasil project is improving the power supply. It involves underground and overhead transmission lines. It will benefit over 2 million people.
Riacho Grande a place with a past and a future. It changed from trails to highways. It grew from ranches to villages. It is a blend of history, nature, and progress.