What if I told you Marcos Paz began as a simple fort? In 1745, Juan de San Martín y Gutiérrez established a basic stockade. It aimed to deter indigenous raids. These raids had intensified after the Araucanization. The fort was known as Guardia de La Matanza. It was later called Guardia Puesto de López. Sadly it was short-lived.
Now we are in Marcos Paz. It is one of the 135 partidos of Buenos Aires Province. It sits in the east-central part of the province. Marcos Paz forms part of Greater Buenos Aires. It lies in the western zone.
The town of Marcos Paz owes its existence to the railway. Juan Feijoó founded it in 1871. The railway ran between Merlo and Lobos. Carlos Chapeaurouge mapped the town in 1876.
Residents petitioned for the creation of Marcos Paz Partido in 1877. On October 25 1878, their wish was granted. Land from Merlo, La Matanza, and General Las Heras formed the new partido. Enrique Álvarez became the first Justice of the Peace. He swore in the municipal delegates. Thus the municipal government began.
Marcos Paz honors Dr. Marcos Paz. He was a member of the 1860 Constitutional Convention. He also served as Vice President from 1862 to 1868. He died in 1868.
Marcos Paz has a rich history. The Rotary Club of Marcos Paz was founded in 1959. The Moreno Club sponsored it. Mario J. Grand was the first president. Héctor Basso served as secretary. The club created the Volunteer Fire Department in 1961. It has provided scholarships for over 40 years. It also equipped three pediatric rooms in the local hospital. The Rotary Club participates in the Polio Plus campaign. This campaign aims to eradicate polio. They have provided books to the prison.
Marcos Paz offers a unique experience. It sits southwest of Merlo. This creates a “tentacle” into the pampas. It borders General Rodríguez, Moreno and Merlo to the north. La Matanza and Merlo lie to the east. To the south is Cañuelas. General Las Heras is to the west.
The Embalse Ingeniero Roggero is in the north. It borders General Rodríguez, Moreno, and Merlo. This reservoir holds water from the streams that form the Reconquista River.
Marcos Paz has a temperate climate. It is humid with no extreme temperatures. Dews begin in mid-February. This stops the maturation of some vegetables. Frosts start in May. This is a good time for transplanting and preparing the land. Winds usually blow from the southeast. They are moderate. November and December see them most often.
The city of Marcos Paz is known as the “City of the Tree”. Its main attraction is the grand boulevard. A church faces the beautiful main square. The old railway station also draws visitors. The Avenida Independencia extends for six blocks.
A poet named Renato Segovia named Marcos Paz “Pueblo del árbol”. Its streets are lined with trees. Their tops meet in spring and summer. Walkers feel like they are in a tunnel of trees.
Marcos Paz’s shield represents its identity. It has been created by Dr. Félix Martín y Herrera. The first section represents religious faith. The blue symbolizes justice. The second section reflects agricultural wealth. A bull symbolizes cattle. Green represents abundant crops. The waving ribbon symbolizes water. The third section features an open book and lamp. They represent education. The fourth shows a wall with arches. It commemorates an old building. A rising sun pays homage to the national shield. It signifies unity and growth. The Lion of San Marcos evokes the Evangelist and Martyr. It is linked to local history. The ribbon at the bottom displays the partido’s name.