Puerto Madryn was not spontaneously born. The present city is the result of the historical evolution of its community. To know such historical evolution is to understand the actual operation of the present city and its trends.

The foundation date is deemed to be July 28, 1865, when 150 Welsh arrived to this coast on board the “Mimosa” and gave this natural harbor the name of “Puerto Madryn” as a tribute to Love Jones Parry who was Baron of Madryn in Wales. In fact, the settlement became effective in 1886, when the railroad connecting Puerto Madryn and Trelew was constructed mainly using the Welsh, Spanish and Italian immigrant labour.

As of that moment Puerto Madryn became the entrance door to the colony. The city gradually developed in line with the railway and harbor activities and those related to services such as warehouses and stores. The railway and the coast were the most remarkable growth guide lines. This order worked successfully until the end of the 50’s and beginning of the 60’s. In that very decade customs tax exemptions were removed, the last coastal sailing companies disappeared, the “Compania Mercantil del Chubut” closed and finally, the Patagonian railroad stopped working. In the early 60’s some textile industries settled in the city, as protected by tax exemption systems. Some years later, all the industrial closed down. The population decreased on account of migration and the community went through a period of uncertainty.

It was at that time that the exploitation of Puerto Madryn and the surrounding area tourist resources began to take shape. Expectations also rose with the prospect of new industry settlements. Among them, the aluminum plant took precedence and the project was completed in the mid 70’s.

The urban features had not changed substantially, except for the fact that the railway facilities were empty. The activity that had actually given birth to the city no longer existed and left a void so far unoccupied. There was a change, a promenade: The Camino del Indio (the Indian Road) that running between the dunes and the coast for approximately 3 kilometers, reached the monument of the same name.

The location of the aluminum plant resulted in the development of an industrial area North of the city and the mineral loading/unloading pier practically banned the use of Las Piedras beach by the public and the expansion of the coastal boulevard towards the North.

As from the 70?s, the phenomenon known as the explosive growth of Puerto Madryn started, in less than ten years population doubled, several industries settled in the area and the city extended to accomodate newcomers from the most diverse origins (even foreigners).

The city has also regained, over the last few years, a definite tourist character emerging as the main service center of the area and showing an increasing concern for the environment.