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CHASCOMúS
It is well-known for its seven lakes making up a rosary of the System
“the Chascomus chain of lagoons” ending up in the Salado River and
around sixty smaller lagoons which provide excellent fishing and the
perfect setting for nautical sports. It also has many attractions
related to the National history, typical Argentine country estates and
agriculture and cattle ranches.
Brief Historical Outline
The Araucanos indigenous people where here long before the white man
arrived and baptized them. This area with its lagoons offered them
perfect conditions for hunting and fishing. In 1581, Juan de Garay
organized an expedition from Buenos Aires to the South; He wanted to
colonize more land as well as finding the “City of gold”. While on his
way, he first sighted the area of the “chained, sea-water lakes and
lagoons” close to the Samborombon River.
In 1779, on the cliffs overlooking the shores of the Indiana Lagoon the
new fort is built, 30 May, founded by Captain de Blandengues Pedro
Nicolas Escribano and called Fuerte San Juan Bautista de Chascomus. This
is the place where today sits the superb municipal palace. The frontier
and military guard quickly becomes a municipality and Echeverria called
it “city of rich landowners”.
In 1839 a bloody battle takes place here between the “Libres del Sur”
and Rosas’ soldiers; The rebels paid for it with their lives and
ruthless persecutions. In 1853 there is a battle on the left shores of
the Salado River at the borders of this region, close to the San
Gregorio lands which was to become a battle for the making of the
Nation. But, during long and prosperous decades of pacific labour, the
lands of Chascomus became an empire-like trading centre of modern cattle
breeding.
The “Ferrocarril del Sud” Railways arrived here in 1865 and Chascomus
became a crucial terminus until the railways network later continued its
expansion to the South of the country. Buenos Aires Province Governor
Acosta gives Chascomus the title of “City”. In the 20th
Century, 1938, a new highway number 2 road is built which runs from
Buenos Aires to Mar del Plata, which contributes to the development of
tourism in the area and, more and more people visit it in search of
peace, tranquility and to enjoy the natural beauties. Chascomus has to
offer. There is also a strong industrial development in metallurgy and
textiles as well as food-manufactured products.
Tourism in Chascomus
 Independencia
Plaza: The grounds of today’s plaza were the ones chosen by Pedro N.
Escribano for the foundation of Chascomus 30 May 1779. In 1909 the
gardens were designed and took its present shape in 1912 when the big
statue of General San Martin was placed at the centre. Finally, in 1938
through a municipal degree it was decided that all the buildings around
the plaza should respect the colonial style of architecture.
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