Location
Dolores has a strategic location, halfway between Buenos Aires and Mar del Plata, and only 100 km from La Costa Partido.
With three access routes, two of the most important national routes pass through them: National Highway No. 2 and Provincial Route No. 63.
Located in the depressed pampas, south of Canal 9 and north of Canal A, it is the head of the homonymous partido (administrative division).
- North: Castelli
- East: Pila and General Guido
- South: Maipú
- West: Tordillo
- Buenos Aires: 210 km
- Mar del Plata: 205 km
- La Plata: 170 km
- San Clemente: 120 km
Bordering Partidos (Administrative Divisions):
Distances:
History
The origin of the city dates back to the first military garrison established south of the current Canal A, in the fight against the most belligerent indigenous groups. This garrison, called Santa Elena, was on the shores of the Las Bruscas lagoon, northeast of the current city.
The area where the city of Dolores is located was inhabited by tribes of the Het ethnic group (better known as Pampas Indians), who were nomadic and generally peaceful. From the mid-17th century, their habitat and culture were disrupted by the invasion of the Mapuches or Araucanians from Chile.
This process of Mapuchization was very conflictive for the Hispanic-criollo population of Buenos Aires. Therefore, in the mid-18th century, it became necessary to expand a defensive front beyond the Samborombón River. In 1779, after the creation of the Viceroyalty of the Río de la Plata, a line of fortifications was established, including Chascomús, which advanced along an imprecise boundary according to victories and defeats. The frontier was at the Salado River, and no Hispanic settlement had been established beyond it, except for the Jesuit mission of Concepción de los Pampas, in the current Partido de Castelli, which was abandoned in 1753.
By the late 18th century, the occupation of the territories south of the Salado River began, which were part of the Monsalvo district, with the establishment of ranches dedicated to cattle farming. This process was peaceful because the settlers had a good relationship with the indigenous people.
First Foundation
What is now Dolores was a desert territory, an immense geographic area where the indigenous people were the absolute owners.
Shortly after the Declaration of Independence on July 9, 1816, the government of the United Provinces of the Rio de la Plata took a series of measures to strengthen security in rural frontier areas, such as the Montes del Tordillo. They established a town on the banks of the Salado River, becoming the "First Patriotic Town," the first population created by the emerging Argentine state.
The following year, a frontier garrison was created under the command of Captain Ramón Lara, who settled in a military compound that housed prisoners, known as Las Bruscas, located near the current Route No. 63, just 5 km from the city. Additionally, they decided to establish the Curato Nuestra Señora de los Dolores, led by priest Francisco de Paula Robles.
Finally, on August 21, 1817, the foundation of the new town of Dolores was agreed upon, on hills located between the Dos Talas Estate of Julián Martínez de Carmona and that of Miguel González de Salomón, where the Monsalvo Act was signed, the main material witness to the foundation.
Destruction and Reestablishment of the City
When Dolores began to establish itself and grow around 1821, a raid by indigenous people led by gaucho José Luis Medina attacked, set fire to, and destroyed the town, taking locals as prisoners. It took approximately four years to recover and rebuild.
The Revolution of the Libres del Sur
In 1835, Juan Manuel de Rosas resumed the position of governor of the Province of Buenos Aires with absolute political power. Certain measures were taken, such as the French blockade of the Rio de la Plata and the closure of exports and imports, which significantly affected this predominantly agrarian area.
Thus, the opposition forces in Dolores, along with those in Chascomús and Tandil, formed the Libres del Sud Movement, led by Pedro Castelli, planning a revolution against the then-governor.
The discovery of the conspiracy accelerated events, and on October 29, 1839, the Cry of Dolores was proclaimed. As a result of this confrontation, the Battle of Chascomús took place, where the revolutionaries were defeated and fled to Uruguay. Pedro Castelli was captured and executed, and his head was displayed in the main square for several years to remind the people of the fate of rebels.