Were you aware that Casabó began as a vision? It aimed to provide modern, affordable housing for the burgeoning population. Let’s step into the story of Casabó.
Casabó is a neighborhood in Montevideo. It lies in the southwestern part of the city. Santa Catalina is to the west. Villa del Cerro is to the east. Villa Esperanza sits to the north. The Río de la Plata borders it to the south. Casabó is an extension of Villa del Cerro. It includes the Fortaleza del Cerro. Also, it includes the Parque Dr. Carlos Vaz Ferreira. You will find the ruins of the Frigorífico Swift cold storage factory here. The shut down Frigorífico Nacional is also within its boundaries. The Club de Golf del Cerro and an area of the Navy are here. Santa Catalina is west of Casabó. It is next to the beach and Punta Yeguas public park.
The story of Casabó begins with the economic boom after World War I. The meatpacking industry thrived. Villa del Cerro saw significant population growth. The limits of Villa del Cerro expanded. They stretched from present-day Carlos María Ramírez to Camino Cibils. This area became known as the Casco del Cerro. This name distinguished it from new neighborhoods around El Cerro.
On July 18, 1921, the Jardín Antonio Casabó neighborhood opened. It sat on the Cerro’s slopes near the Frigorífico Uruguayo. It featured 200 houses. These had two, three, or four bedrooms. They were affordable. They cost just 120 pesos upfront with easy monthly payments. These homes had modern amenities. These included sanitary services and electric lights. The streets were paved.
Today, Casabó has modest homes. It is bordered by Oficial 6, Holanda, Calle 10, and Lituania streets. It also includes the former Frigorífico Nacional area. Dr. Baltasar Brum, then President of Uruguay, attended the inauguration. High-ranking military officials and government staff joined him.
From its start, Casabó had public transport. It connected Casabó to El Cerro’s public pier. This pier was at Egipto streets between Barcelona and Centroamérica. Here, residents boarded a small steamer. It traveled to Ciudad Vieja. It also went to the Curva de Tabárez. The Cerro’s bus terminal is there today.
Casabó offers a glimpse into Montevideo’s past. It showcases a time of economic growth and innovative urban planning. It reflects the effort to provide quality housing for workers. As you explore Casabó, consider its history. Think about its role in Montevideo’s development. Remember the vision that created this community. It sought to offer a better life for its residents.