Is it possible that a town could rise from a simple ranch house? Here in Merlo, that’s precisely what happened. This city in Greater Buenos Aires has a unique story. It began with Francisco de Merlo.
Merlo wasn’t always the bustling area it is today. In the early 18th century, Francisco de Merlo arrived in Buenos Aires. He quickly ascended into the upper class. He served as a notary public. He also joined the Third Order of Our Lady of Mercy.
But how did a notary public become a town’s namesake? A twist of fate played a crucial role. In 1729, Francisco Sánchez Botija passed away. His will stipulated that his fortune should go to Francisco de Merlo. There was a condition. Merlo had to build a sanctuary. He also had to hold fifty masses yearly for Botija’s soul.
With this inheritance, Merlo purchased vast haciendas. His estate sprawled between the Reconquista and Matanza rivers. It was about 35 kilometers from Buenos Aires. Here, Merlo built his ranch house. It overlooked the Camino Real del Oeste. This road connected Buenos Aires to Lima. Next to his house, he built an oratory. It was dedicated to Saint Anthony of Padua and the Immaculate Conception. This oratory served as the parish church for La Matanza.
Merlo wasn’t only concerned with spiritual matters. He also established one of the first schools outside Buenos Aires. Mercedarian friars were entrusted with teaching locals to read and write.
In 1742, Merlo petitioned King Philip V. He sought permission to found a village on his land. The authorization was granted in 1755. On August 28, 1755, Villa San Antonio del Camino was founded. Merlo offered free land. This attracted settlers. The town started with 111 inhabitants. They were grouped into 24 families.
Francisco de Merlo died in 1758. His land was divided among his heirs. It was then sold to private investors. Despite this, the town remained within the bounds of Merlo’s donation to the Mercedarian Order.
For years, Merlo remained isolated. The Camino de los Gaona bypassed it. In 1810, Merlo was a forgotten hamlet. Locals traded illegally with the Indians.
The arrival of the railway changed everything. In 1857, the first steam locomotive public railway opened. Juan Dillon saw an opportunity. He commissioned Pedro Benoit to design a new town layout. This included a town hall and a train station. The train station opened on August 11, 1859.
In the second half of the 20th century, Merlo experienced growth. Immigrants arrived. Farms were replaced by housing. Today, Merlo stands as a testament to its founder. It rose from a ranch house to a thriving city. It is a place with a rich history.