The history of the Recreo City began in the sixteenth century with the first settlements diaguitas people, then in the nineteenth century to build the railway station of the same name. The railway took an important place in the regional economy over the years thanks to the industrial promotion this step position at the hands of the industries making of one of the smaller towns in a major city.
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Sixteenth to eighteenth centuries: Settlements of indigenous peoples
The history of the city dates back to pre-Columbian times to the arrival of the Spanish in the sixteenth century. In 1563 it was within the territory of the Governorate of Tucumán, then had a significant presence of lules, but was predominantly inhabited by sedentary ethnic diaguitas as set Ambargasta, named after settling in the vicinity of Rio Ambargasta. These people used to be called Juries. This was the name given them by the Spaniards to deform the Quechua word (derogatorily used by the Inca invaders to refer to these peoples) "suries" because lules and toconotes (derisively dubbed as the Incas "suries" then called "juries" by the Spanish) were adorned with ostrich feathers (Quechua: "I surí"). These first settlers left traces of their settlements as "mortar" carved in stone on the hills of the city; at present it is considered that these alleged "mortar" (the Spaniards believed that their holes were to grind corn and other grains) were instruments of astronomical observation as each bowl with water is filled and was seen in the reflection of water within each "mortar" the position of the stars. In 1782 Recreation area became part of the quartermaster of San Miguel de Tucuman and in 1783 the Municipality of Salta del Tucumán in the jurisdiction of San Fernando del Valle de Catamarca.
Nineteenth century: First settlers final
On August 25, 1821 saw the provincial autonomy of Catamarca, which is separated from Tucumán and Santiago del Estero. In this way the area belonging to the city became part of the Province of Catamarca.
In the 1860s, Don Clemente Martinez takes possession of the land, to die; the widow marries the then provincial deputy Pedro Cano, who in 1874 lifted the stay "El Recreo", who had a drinking animal, a mill, and a chapel belonging to the Cano family. In this place it is also used to call "Recreation wagons" because in this place the wagons were parked to rest a while and then go their way, this was the reason why the station and the people were baptized as Recreo.
According to the records of baptisms San Roque Parish mid-1860, the future city already had a sizeable population long before the stay and the terminal were built.
On May 9, 1875 the railway station Recreo Manuel Belgrano that connected to Alta stay Córdoba thus being divided into two opens. They began to get larger amount of people who thanks to the booming of Argentina immigration become 624 inhabitants according to the 1895 census, the majority of Spanish, Italian, French, Syrian-Lebanese and German, showing a high rate of illiteracy. Therefore, Recreo does not have a foundation and founder.
Once the station was inaugurated the provincial government decided to divide the area into two respective departments creating Ancasti and La Paz. Later the land was expropriated as people to settle were evicted from the site immediately by its owner; This was only one of four which then would.
With a Richter magnitude of 6.0 and a Mercalli intensity of VII (Very strong), the 1892 Recreo earthquake caused severe damage to buildings in the city and some fatalities. The construction of a cemetery followed.
Twentieth century: The new city
In 1910 due to the centennial of the May Revolution, the first school in the city, which initially worked in private homes until a few years later the final building, the creation of this school was built gave a great result reducing illiteracy opens that in those years was very high. Also in 1914 was created the Public Library Estanislao S. Zeballos.
In September 1958 according to Law No. 1755, the city and the new head of the department of La Paz, who previously owned it was then called Villa de San Antonio is designated, the municipality, police, civil registry is created and the first hospital.
At this time the first cars appear a plant is constructed to provide electricity and rail as in most Argentine towns became important to become the mainstay of the local economy, it was used as passenger and transport of minerals were extracted from the hills.
During the decades (1960 to 1970) the city suffered a great stagnation caused by problems affecting the quality of life in the place.
One of these problems was an abrupt climate change effect of dry chamber begun early in the century, to be exact in 1920, this phenomenon caused the climate became more arid and warm, this combined with the lack of work in the area led to a marked depopulation and economic stagnation that lasted until early next decade.
In 1962 the dam was opened Motegasta to provide through an aqueduct and sweet drinking water to the population, which is then was extracted using pumps groundwater that was salty
Finishing the 1960s the Catholic church called Irish priests for them to stay in the city and solve the shortage of clergy who had by then, these priests were responsible for building the first high school in 1971, where they played the tasks of teachers .
During these years the bus station, the Municipal Sports Complex and airstrip that was later abandoned were created. The most significant cultural event was held the first edition of "National Festival Kid" (1973) and hosted the TC and in 1975 the Center Volunteer Fire is created.
During the decade of 1980 the most significant changes occurred in the city. In 1982 industrial promotion begins consisting of not taxing industries that decide to settle, the first industry reached in 1984 giving a privileged position industrialized city at provincial and national level.
The zonal hospital Liborio Forte opens around 1983, the first school opened tertiary (1986), the pipeline is constructed to provide natural gas, Cristo Redentor de Recreo (1986) is constructed. On 19 December the same year he created the coat of Recreo, this takes the form of a Polish coat, was chosen because John Paul II was a native of Poland, wanted and search for "La Paz" and since recreinos living in the apartment La Paz in this way was his choice.
All these changes led to a population boom that came to increase the population by 100%, the economy was also increasing, most asphalted streets and avenues. But at the end of the decade with increasing population began to emerge problems with the electrical system began experiencing failures and drinking water became scarce.
In 1991 due to the case María Soledad Morales is operated throughout the province, this generated a major political change in the city. As a matter of privatization given by the national government station was closed and the railroad was alone as transportation for feedstock.
On 20 August 1995 the Municipal Charter in which Recreo is designated as an autonomous town was issued.
Twenty-first century: Growing season
In 2002 begins to be held on May 9 as day home town. In 2004 happens a 7.0 Richter scale that only causes damage in 2005 is no longer available land belonging to the provincial PE or municipality to expand possess.
On June 15, 2007 is created the flag of the city, its colors are green on the mountains of jarillas, quebrachos and pastures that surround the city, white Salinas Grandes found south of the area and with shield in the middle and yellow sun shown through most of the year.
During the first half of the 2000s the social context deteriorated to appear the first drug problems, drug, alcohol and traffic accidents, only the crime remains low, this social situation worsens to the 2010s, for which in 2014 the local police or municipal police is created, in collaboration with the police to combat and prevent crime.
Problems were solved with the electrical system but the problems in the drinking water worse. Transport also deteriorates by the poor condition of the streets.
In October 2010 he was made the national census but he threw erroneous data on the population were not counted because all inhabitants.
Since the municipal government conducted important infrastructure works. Among the urban landmarks are the first sewers in 2006, the first traffic lights in 2007, and a weather station in 2013, the remodeling of plazas and promenades. The construction of neighborhoods, boulevards, parks and shrines in order to encourage provincial and national tourism. The New Bus Station (2015?)], The first movie theater in (2013), the House of Culture (2011).
From a football standpoint host several competitions and tournaments became, for this was done remodeling the Municipal Sports Complex, the construction of a bike path in 2003 and a series of green spaces equipped for sports practices.
Economically emerged numerous local businesses. In 2012 he completed the industrial promotion but this did not affect the economy, as it increased the flow of people seeking installed. With this plan in the future to create the dry Puerto de Recreo, with the aim of reducing the costs of land transport via train and promote the establishment of industries.
By 2015 the inauguration of the dam El Bolson that will end the lack of water in the area by improving the quality of life is expected.
All these developments together with a strategic geographical position (within 300 km of most provincial capitals Northwest) and possess a large industrial, cultural and educational sectors Recreo ranked as the second most important city in the province.