The mining town began to form in 1879 when the first quarries of the place were opened, although according to reports from the province there were already settlements in the years 1849. The initial times would be marked by the lime industry, and in 1916 the progress would intensify with the installation of the first Portland cement factory in the country and the fifth in the world, known as the Compania Argentina de Cemento Portland "CEMENTOS SAN MARTÍN" named like this, in recognition of the liberator of America.
During the Malvinas war, it was one of the main probable targets for bombardments, since the production of cement , allowed Argentina to make a landing strip in 24 hours.
