Ever heard of a place that was founded twice? That’s Partido de Merlo for you. Let me tell you its story.
Partido de Merlo lies west of Buenos Aires. It is more than just a location. It is a testament to resilience and rebirth. Its history began long before it was officially a partido.
The seeds of Merlo were sown in the early 17th century. The area was then known as Pago de Las Conchas. This land was home to the Taluhet people. They were part of the Het nation.
In 1636 the land was divided into haciendas. Governor Pedro Esteban Dávila granted these to Buenos Aires neighbors. Agriculture and cattle raising became main activities. The Reconquista River nourished wheat fields and orchards. The Jesuits had the biggest hacienda. Its production funded their schools in Buenos Aires.
But life was not always peaceful. The Araucanian people moved in from the Andes. They were attracted by the herds of cattle and horses. They looted Spanish settlements in horse-mounted attacks called malones.
Amid this chaos a Spanish businessman named Francisco de Merlo stepped in. He bought land and established a large estancia. Settlers sought refuge near his fortified ranch forming a hamlet. In 1755 King Philip V authorized Francisco de Merlo to found a town. He named it Villa San Antonio del Camino. This was the first founding of Merlo.
After Merlo’s death the town declined. It became isolated. It was within the boundaries of an estancia. In 1821 the State of Buenos Aires expropriated it.
Then came Juan Dillon. He rebuilt the town and shaped its destiny. Dillon hired architect Pedro Benoit in 1859. Benoit designed a rectangular grid of streets and blocks. Dillon enlarged the town. He added a municipal palace, avenue, train station, school and church. The rail station opened on August 11, 1859.
Dillon together with other businessmen petitioned the Governor. They requested a new partido from the old Partido of Morón. In 1864 the legislature sanctioned the law creating Partido de Merlo. This is considered Merlo obtaining its autonomy. This is also considered the second founding.
A cholera epidemic in Buenos Aires in 1867 brought many immigrants to Merlo. They brought qualified labor. The railway boosted Merlo’s development in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Today Merlo is part of Greater Buenos Aires. It has grown from a small town. It is a vibrant community with a rich history. It has overcome challenges. It has rebuilt itself. This makes Partido de Merlo a symbol of resilience. It stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of its people.