History of Pichilemu

The first inhabitants of Pichilemu were a native people known as the Promaucaes. These native people were gatherers and fishermen that primarily lived along the Cachapoal and Maule Rivers. According to the researcher José Toribio Medina from his book Resto Indígena de Chile Pedro de Valdivia granted a large territory of what is now central Chile (native peoples included) to Mr. Juan Gómez de Almagro on February 24, 1544. Pichilemu was among the territories of Palloquierbico, Topocalma y Gulaquien.

Some of the first land owners of the Pichilemu were The Ortuzar family, Lauriano Gaete, and Ninfa Vargas. In more recent times large land owners include Pedro Pavez Polanco and the Hacienda of San Antonio de Petrel. These large land owning families have constructed historic homes and buildings over the years. The family of Ortúzar Cuevas from the San Antonio de Petrel Haciendo constructed a mid-century maritime dock which served as a fishing port for some years. Daniel Ortuzar is considered to have created the original village of Pichilemu. Along with the marina he built impressive homes on what is currently Ortuzar Avenue.

During the 1891 Chilean Civil War Daniel Ortuzar and the priest of Alcones transferred prisoners to and from Pichilemu via the marina. During the war the port was burned down. Later Lauriano Gaete and Ninfa Vargas founded Pichilemu by drawing plans with the engineer Emilio Nichon. The plans originated around Ortuzar Avenue.

After the civil war Pichilemu obtained its formal name and status on December 22, 1891 by the president Jorge Montt and his Interior Minister, Manuel José Irarrázabal. The first mayor of the city was José María Caro Martínez. He regularized the city plan in 1894. Around this time a man named Agustin Ross bought land in Pichilemu and turned Pichilemu into a summer resort town for affluent people from Santiago. He built the Grand Hotel Ross, the first Casino in Chile, and several large homes with imported building materials and furniture from France and England. Subsequently, Pichilemu became the historic capital of the Province called Cardenal Caro which is named for the first Chilean Catholic Church Cardinal.

Recently the previously derelict Casino Ross was renovated and opened in 2009 as a cultural arts center. It currently houses several gallery spaces and the public library.

The once grand hotel, although still partially open for hotel and cabin guests, is in a high degree of disrepair. The original park boasts 100 year old native Chilean Palms and many green spaces. The majority of the grand homes are in use as private homes.

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