Originally inhabited by the Querandí people, Ezeiza’s story begins long before its official founding. The Spanish conquistadores claimed the land in 1588. Ezeiza’s roots trace back to 1758 with the founding of the estancia Los Remedios and a chapel by Juan Guillermo González y Aragón. A fascinating connection exists between Ezeiza and Argentine history. One of González’s great-grandsons was Manuel Belgrano, a key leader in Argentina’s fight for independence. Gerónimo Ezeiza purchased land nearby in 1767. His descendant, José María Ezeiza, became the largest landowner by the late 19th century. After his death, Ezeiza’s son-in-law donated land to the Buenos Aires Western Railway. This generous act led to the town’s founding on July 17, 1885. Ezeiza was named in honor of José María Ezeiza.
Ezeiza in the early 20th century was a hub for dairy farming. Its destiny changed drastically when it was chosen as the site for Argentina’s first international airport. This airport, Ministro Pistarini International Airport, opened in 1949 on the northern edge of Ezeiza. The same year saw the birth of Barrio Uno, a new neighborhood built to house airport employees. The Ricchieri Freeway, connecting the airport to Buenos Aires, followed in 1952. Ezeiza also became home to the Ezeiza Atomic Center in 1967, established by the National Atomic Energy Commission. This center became a major producer of radioisotopes for medical applications. Tragically, the Ricchieri Freeway witnessed the Ezeiza Massacre in 1973. Clashes between left and right-wing Peronists resulted in at least 13 deaths. They were vying for the best spots to view Juan Perón’s motorcade upon his return from exile.
Ezeiza continued to grow as a bedroom community. Numerous gated communities sprung up, particularly south of Ezeiza in and around Canning, starting in the 1990s. The Bosques de Ezeiza (Ezeiza Woods) also emerged as a local tourist attraction. Ezeiza’s evolution continued with the addition of Dr. Alberto Eurnekian Hospital in 2008 and the Provincial University of Ezeiza in 2012. This university holds a unique distinction. It is the first in Latin America dedicated to aeronautics. Originally part of Esteban Echeverría Partido since 1913, Ezeiza became the seat of its own county in 1994. A new, postmodern city hall was inaugurated in 2007, marking another milestone in Ezeiza’s history. Today, Ezeiza remains a significant location, intertwined with Argentina’s history, from its indigenous roots to its modern development. It is a place where the echoes of the past resonate alongside the hum of the present.