Picture the elegant lines of the Sede do Haras Jaçatuba. This isn’t just any building. This is a piece of Santo André’s history. It stands as a testament to a bygone era of horse racing and rural life.
The Sede do Haras Jaçatuba was built around 1918. It served as the heart of a thriving horse ranch. The Assumpção brothers Antonio and Erasmo owned it. They bred purebred English racehorses. These horses won numerous prizes. The brothers also owned vast land. This land was later divided into neighborhoods such as Vila Assunção Paraíso and Jardim Assunção.
Imagine the hustle and bustle of the Haras in its heyday. Horses galloped across the grounds. The aroma of freshly turned earth and hay filled the air. The sounds of hooves and happy shouts echoed through the countryside. The family spent weekends and holidays at the Haras’ main house. A smaller house accommodated guests.
But times changed. By the mid-1950s horse breeding was no longer profitable. The land was coveted for development. The Haras closed its doors. However the main house remained intact.
In 1979 the city of Santo André acquired the property. They wanted to create a park for children. This was after attempts to place a SESC unit there failed. The Parque Regional da Criança was created. It opened in 1980. Later it was renamed Parque Regional da Criança Palhaço Estremilique. It boasts walking trails playgrounds and even tennis courts.
In 1990 the city established the Escola Municipal de Iniciação Artística Aron Feldman. It uses the main house of the Haras Jaçatuba. The school offers arts programs that encourage creativity. It is named after filmmaker Aron Feldman who captured the city’s social issues.
In 1992 the park and both houses were declared historical landmarks. The COMDEPHAAPASA council recognized their cultural significance. This recognition is well-deserved. It recognizes a unique blend of agricultural history and urban development. The Sede do Haras Jaçatuba stands as a symbol of Santo André’s past. It offers a glimpse into a time when horse racing and rural landscapes were part of city life. Today it continues to inspire artistic expression and provide green space for the community. This building is more than bricks and mortar it’s a living memory a testament to the enduring spirit of Santo André.