Once upon a time, Don Torcuato was just a vision. Marcelo Torcuato de Alvear, a former president of Argentina, dreamed of a town. He wanted it on his ranch. Most streets now bear the names of his family and staff. This is Don Torcuato.
Don Torcuato began as a generous gift. President Alvear asked the council to create this neighborhood. He donated 40 hectares of his father’s land. His father was also named Torcuato de Alvear.
In 1928, Don Torcuato started to take shape. There was a big land sale with 1144 lots. Also, 118 smaller farms were sold. Most were for family retreats. Five streets honor Torcuato de Alvear’s nephews. They are named Carlos, Marcelo, Elvira, María, and Diego.
The Don Torcuato Golf Club also helped shape the area. It sat on 100 hectares. The Alvear family gave this land to the British railways. Don Torcuato started as a train station in 1910. The railway brought people. They farmed the land. Then, they welcomed the new town.
In 1938, something special happened. A group of students from Lasalle bought the golf course land. They founded the Hindu Club. Today, it is a well-known sports club. It gave Don Torcuato a boost. The club became a major employer. The surrounding area became a nice place to live.
In 1946, Aircom opened. It was the Don Torcuato Aerodrome. In the 1960s, it became the first private international airport in Argentina. Sadly, it closed in 2006.
The Pan-American Highway arrived in the 1960s. This was another big step for Don Torcuato. Some worried about losing the quiet, isolated feel. But others saw it as progress.
Don Torcuato officially became a city in 1974. It had about 70000 people then. It still felt like a peaceful retreat. People combined relaxation with work. Don Torcuato adapted. It grew more urban. But it kept its traditional charm. It also added better facilities.
Some long-time residents say Don Torcuato still feels like a village. Now, about 100000 people live here. The town has many different activities.
Gated communities became popular in the 1990s. The expansion of Route 202 and the Pan-American Highway helped this growth.
Many of the older areas surround the Hindu Club golf course. These have clear boundaries and security. Access is through a single entrance.
Don Torcuato offers many conveniences. The updated Pan-American Highway makes travel easy. The schools are good. There are banks and shops. Don Torcuato combines peace and services.
Don Torcuato was officially founded on November 3, 1927. This honors Torcuato de Alvear. He was the first mayor of Buenos Aires.
The streets of Don Torcuato are named after Marcelo Torcuato de Alvear’s closest family. Also, they are named after those who worked in his government. Don Torcuato a town born from a dream and shaped by progress.