Long ago Parque San Martín was part of a vast estancia. This land belonged to the Jesuit Company. It bordered Francisco de Merlo’s lands. The estancia stretched along the Rio de las Conchas. This river is now known as the Rio Reconquista. It ended at the Rio Salado. This was Pampa territory. After the Jesuits were expelled the state took the land.
Parque San Martín’s history is fascinating. In the mid-1800s John Wyatt Smith bought a large part of it. He created a successful farm. His son Henry worked for Merlo’s autonomy. It was achieved in 1864. Another son Arthur became a councilman in 1872.
Later Roberto Cano owned the estancia. He built a Beaux Arts mansion. It still stands. This is the Casco de Estancia de Etcheberry. Cano was a theatrical entrepreneur. He owned the Opera Theatre. He even had a tunnel linking his house to his theatre box. He lived on Suipacha Street. He used the Midland Railway to transport cattle and theatre chorus girls to parties at his Merlo mansion. He was also a Jockey Club founder.
In 1913 Cano sold the estancia to the Etcheberry family. During Perón’s government it was expropriated. The land was then divided creating Parque San Martín. The Etcheberry family bought back the main house. They donated it to the church. Now it houses a school and church.
Parque San Martín began around 1948. Rapid population growth in Greater Buenos Aires fueled its development. Around 100 Polish families moved there. They were displaced persons from World War II. They created small farms and businesses.
The town grew rapidly. Many workshops and shops opened. The Cine Radar operated until the 1980s. Today it’s an evangelical church. In 1938 the Albatros Argentine Glider Club was founded nearby. It moved in 1974 due to nearby air force activities. In 1953 Adolf Galland a famous German World War II ace even flew there.
The Libertador San Martín bus company served Parque San Martín. It ceased operations in 2001. In 1954 Club 9 de Julio a football club was founded. It later became Deportivo Merlo. In 1975 Parque San Martín became a city.
The city’s coat of arms was designed by Leandro Néstor Sesarego. It features laurels and a curved saber. These symbolize José de San Martín. It also shows Our Lady of Lourdes. This is a thank you for the healing of a businessman’s daughter. Parque San Martín’s march has lyrics by Marcela Isola de Moretta and music by Elías Kaplan.
Today Parque San Martín thrives. Its history is woven into its streets. It stands as a testament to its residents’ resilience and spirit. It is a lively town full of stories waiting to be discovered.