Is it possible that a humble telegraph post could be the heart of a city? That is the story of Jandira. This municipality in S\u00e3o Paulo has a history deeply intertwined with railways. Let’s explore how Jandira blossomed from a simple outpost.
In the late 19th century, this area was a stop on the old Itu Road. Travelers journeyed from S\u00e3o Paulo to western regional centers. The Sorocabana Railway arrived in 1875 and forever changed the landscape. The land was divided. One of the early landowners was Jos\u00e9 de Oliveira e Silva.
Later, Nicola Beneducci and Miguel Samarone acquired the land. An Italian immigrant named Henrique Sammartino bought land from them in 1912. He called it S\u00edtio das Palmeiras due to the native palm trees. Sammartino’s arrival was crucial for the area’s development.
Initially, Sammartino ran a grocery store in S\u00e3o Paulo. S\u00edtio das Palmeiras was just a recreational property. World War I disrupted imports. Sammartino faced bankruptcy and turned to his land in Jandira.
In 1919, Sammartino and his family settled there. He invested in animals and fruit trees. He hired laborers. A brick factory was built. Sammartino sought to improve transportation. He donated land to the Sorocabana Railway for a stop. The railway proposed he plant eucalyptus trees for fuel. An agreement was reached and Post KM 32 was established in March 1925.
The railway stop attracted new residents. Engineer William Alfred Waddell acquired land. In 1928, the Instituto Jos\u00e9 Manuel da Concei\u00e7\u00e3o and a Presbyterian mission were founded. Waddell requested improvements to Post KM 32. The Sorocabana Railway upgraded the post. It became a telegraph station.
Sammartino had the honor of naming the station. He named it Jandira after his niece on March 20, 1931. The area then became known as Jandira. Three years later, the telegraph post became a first-class station. The growing railway operations brought more people to Jandira. Vila Jandira emerged.
In August 1942, a spark from a train caused a fire on Sammartino’s land. The fire destroyed his orchard. His wife, Concei\u00e7\u00e3o Desid\u00e9rio, died in September 1943. Sammartino started selling and donating land. He created Vila Jandira’s first subdivision. He sold lots for Cr$ 3,000 each. Land was donated for public amenities.
Henrique Sammartino died in 1947. He did not witness the full growth of his subdivision. Until 1964, Jandira was a district of Cotia. The distance between Jandira and Cotia hindered development. Jandira was neglected. On February 28, 1964, Jandira became its own municipality.
Today, Jandira is a thriving city. It has grown from a simple railway stop. The spirit of Henrique Sammartino lives on. Jandira stands as a testament to his vision. It celebrates its unique origins. The city is forever linked to the rails that shaped its destiny.