Perhaps Nuevo París whispers tales of transformation. This Montevideo barrio evolved from countryside to community. Nuevo París began around 1869. It centered on farms like Don Tarcicio A. Cardozo’s Granja Divita. Italians and Spaniards mainly from Galicia owned other quintas. Many farms were lost later due to debts. Cooperatives then built entire neighborhoods on these lands.
Nuevo París soon industrialized. La Mundial was the largest factory. Its powerful horn called workers at 6 AM. Many factories arose. Bao and Sue were present. Several tanneries existed. These included Suizo Uruguaya which became Branaa and Curtifrance. A glass factory stood at Santa Lucia and Aldao. Construction supply stores flourished. They provided materials for workers. These workers built classic-modern homes common in Latin America.
Santa Lucía and José Llupes are Nuevo París’s main streets. Yugoslavia is also important. Its name origin is forgotten. Yugoslavia connects Avenida Millán to downtown. It also connects to the Accesos highways. The historic 1909 Granja Divita still stands on Yugoslavia. Don Tarcicio A. Cardozo owned it. He was a prominent Uruguayan citizen and sheep breeder. His Merino Precoz Uruguayo wool was sold here. It won the Grand Prize at Seville’s Ibero-American Exposition in 1930. It was considered the world’s best. Cardozo’s Cabaña Divita had farms in Tambores. It also had farms in Salto, Artigas, and Rio Grande do Sul. Rural Association books document his history and awards. There is a project to rename the street in his honor.
In the early 20th century Nuevo París featured weekend homes with large gardens. Today factories and industrial plants dominate. Conaprole’s plant is on Emancipación and the Accesos. Óptimo oil factory is on Avenida Luis Batlle Berres. Dr. Jude’s quinta was on General Hornos Street. The San Francisco de Asís Parish Church and Capuchin Sisters convent are also important.
Nuevo París formed from 1879. It was formerly the San Antonio neighborhood. It remained isolated until 1892. Belvedere’s establishment to the south linked it to Montevideo. Nuevo París became known for important tanneries. Industrial plants included BAO. Ferrosmalt assembled Uruguay’s first refrigerators. Sue’s enameled cookware was popular. Cemantosa made fiber cement sheets.
Granja Divita stood on Yugoeslavia Street. Tarcicio A. Cardozo’s farm was prominent. His Cabaña was in Tambores between Tacuarembó and Paysandú. He had other farms in Salto, Artigas and Rio Grande do Sul. Documents exist in the Rural Association of Uruguay. La Mundial textile factory was important for decades. It produced high quality goods. Colegio Madre Paulina also stands out. One of its buildings was designed by Eladio Dieste.
The San Antonio Chapel had humble beginnings. A small chapel with Saint Anthony’s image was in a plaza on José Llupes. Religious ceremonies occurred there in the mid-20th century. The historic structure no longer exists. The image is now in the Iglesia San Antonio. Padre Domingo de Tacuarembó designed it. Nuevo París blends rural roots with industrial growth. It carries a rich history in its streets and buildings.