Didn’t José C. Paz start as just a name on a train station? Today we explore the Partido de José C. Paz. It is one of 135 partidos in Buenos Aires Province. This area resides in the northern part of Greater Buenos Aires. It lies 40 km from the city.
José C. Paz became a municipality December 10 1995. This followed the dissolution of the Partido de General Sarmiento. That happened in October 1994. José C. Paz borders several partidos. Pilar is to the north. Moreno and Pilar lie to the west. San Miguel and Moreno are to the south. Malvinas Argentinas and San Miguel are to the east. The entire partido is essentially one big city. Only some areas remain rural.
Let’s journey back to its origins. Around 1870 a new locality began to emerge. It was northwest of General Sarmiento. The location was near the Arroyo Pinazo stream. In 1891 Juan Buzzini sold his lands. José Vicente Altube acquired them. He was a native of Oñate Spain.
A sad event occurred in July 1912. José Clemente Paz died in Monte Carlo. He had founded the newspaper La Prensa. José Vicente Altube wanted to honor his friend. Altube requested the train station be named after Paz. On May 5 1913 the minister of public works agreed. The train station became José C. Paz. The official ceremony took place July 13.
Altube later removed a plaque bearing his own name. He replaced it with one for José C. Paz. This happened during celebrations in Plaza José Altube. The plaza is now Manuel Belgrano.
The Partido de José C. Paz was created in 1994. This happened through Provincial Law No. 11551. It covers 53 square kilometers. In 2020 UNESCO recognized the city. It became part of the “Network of Learning Cities”. This was due to its work in education.
The name José C. Paz honors José Clemente Paz. He was a diplomat journalist and founder of La Prensa. Altube his close friend initiated the tribute. Locals supported the idea. The “Commission to Honor the Journalist” formed. General José Garmendia led it. They asked national and local authorities to name the town after Paz. They also wanted the Pacific Railroad station named after him. These requests were granted May 5 1913.
The landscape is gently undulating. This is typical of the Pampean Region. Soils are deep with a humus layer. Clay horizons lie underneath. Few large undeveloped areas remain.
Several streams flow through José C. Paz. Pinazo and Zinny are the main ones still visible. Claro and Las Horquetas-Basualdo are now underground. These were enclosed in 1997 and 1998.
The climate is “Temperate Pampeano”. Wildlife is limited to birds. These include the rufous hornero sparrow and calandria.
José C. Paz a place named in honor of friendship. It’s a place with a history of community and growth. It evolved from rural lands to a bustling city. It is still working towards a bright future.