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The etymology of Patagonian station names

Unlike in long established cultures, where a railway station normally takes the name of the pre-existing settlement, in Patagonia many stations and other railway locations were created in the middle of largely uninhabited semi-desert. Whilst some pre-existing indian names were used, or an obvious nearby physical feature was given an appropriate name, in other cases the names of individual persons were used. These latter were sometimes engineers involved in the construction of the line, or were notable soldiers, sailors or politicians.

Most of the following explanations have been taken directly from Enrique Udaondo's book published in 1942 (1). However additional explanations will be added when time allows.

The word Araucane appears a number of times in relation to the origin of the names. It relates to various indigenous peoples, principally the Mapuche, from the west of the Andes, who migrated across them in historical times. The Chilean region is called Araucanía. Araucaria is also the name of the tree known in English as the monkey puzzle tree.

Station

Route

Origins of name

Aeródromo

FCE a Colonia Sarmiento

It was given this name because the station is built on the landing field for aeroplanes, some eleven kilometres from Comodoro Rivadavia, Territory of Chubut.

Aguada Cecilio

FCE a Bariloche

This name belongs to the location next to the bothy of San Cecilio, known thus because there is a pond or water-hole there belonging to the first settler of the area Don Cecilio Crespo.

Aguada de Guerra

FCE a Bariloche

Traditional name for this location in the Territory of Río Negro. It is because of the water-hole which exists in the fields of the Chilean settler of surname Guerra.

Allen

FCS a Neuquén

Located in the Territory of Neuquén. It recalls Mr. Enrique Carlos Allen who was Secretary of the Southern Railway in 1892, Secretary-Manager in 1901, Director in 1910 and Chairman of the Board in 1921. Allen, who also worked with other railway companies, died in England on 7 March 1935 at the age of 80 years. Station opened 20-3-1910. Information from http://cronicaferroviaria.com/website/2010/03/10/centenario-de-la-estacion-ferroviaria-de-allen/

Alto de las Plumas

FCCC

The traditional name of the site in the Territory of Chubut. Near it is to be found the Paso de las Plumas [Feathers Crossing], a ford over the Chubut River. According to authorities, it was called this as the village is located at a much higher altitude than another village called Bajo de las Plumas. The reference to feathers coming from the finding of a great many ostrich feathers, left by the indians after they had taken advantage of the meat of that bird for their food.

Editor's note – There is another explanation for the name of this place, namely, that it was an annual rendezvous between the Welsh settlers and the Tehuelche indians who traded rhea feathers for goods.

Antonio de Biedma

FCE a Colonia Las Heras

See Biedma, Antonio de

Astra

FCE a Colonia Sarmiento

For the oil exploration company Astra in the vicinity of the station in Chubut.

Balneario 24 de Febrero

FCCC

See Playa Unión

Benjamín Zorilla

FCS a Neuquén

See Zorilla, Benjamín

Biedma, Antonio de

FCE a Colonia Las Heras

A railway station in the Territory of Santa Cruz, its name recalls the explorer Don Antonio de Biedma, a native of Jaén in Spain, who came to the River Plate in 1778 as an accountant and treasurer for the establishment in Bahía sin Fondos, and who, in 1780, travelled through the Patagonic zone and wrote a very interesting book on the coasts of the south. He died in Spain on 1 October 1793.

Boca de la Zanja

FCCC

Situated in the extreme west of the Chubut Colony where the great canal starts which irrigates the valley. The words mean 'Mouth of the ditch or dike'.

Cinco Chañares

FCE a Bariloche

Editor's note – source not known.

Campamento Escalante

FCE a Colonia Sarmiento

For Dr Wenceslao Escalante (1852-1912) who was Minister of Agriculture of the Nation. In this site in Chubut an encampment of Yacimientos Petrolíferos Fiscales [the Argentine national petroleum undertaking] was set up.

Campamento Villegas

FCCC

This station in the Territory of Chubut recalls the encampment set up by General Don Conrado E. Villegas during the expedition against the indians of the South, which was brought to a conclusion in 1883.

Cañadón Iglesia

FCCC

Editor's note – This is beyond the area of Welsh settlement, or indeed any settlement at that time; in any case, it would have been unlikely that the word iglesia would have been used in place of the usual capilla used for the Welsh chapels.

Cañadón Lagarto

FCE a Colonia Sarmiento

For the geographic description cañadón [canyon] and for the saurian reptile lagarto [lizard], an inoffensive animal, useful in agriculture as it eats insects. This same name was given to the village which surrounds the station.

Carmen de Patagones

FCE a Bariloche

See Patagones

Castro, Ramón

FCS a Zapala

The Engineer, Don Ramón Castro, gave the land on which the station stands in the Territory of Neuquén, Zapala Department.

Cerro Abanico

FCE a Bariloche

Geographical accident in the Territory of Río Negro called thus for the form which it has, a semicircle, located in front of Mount Anecón Grande. From this comes the name of the station.

Cerro Blanco

FCE a Colonia Las Heras

Located in the Territory of Río Negro. It bears this name because of the salty mountain which is snow-covered for part of the year.

Cerro Hermite

FCE a Colonia Sarmiento

The name of the engineer, Enrique Martín Hermite was given to this peak and to the halt in the Territory of Chubut in homage of his leadership of the General Directorate of Geology and Mines of the Ministry of Public Works of the Nation.

Cervantes

FCS a Neuquén

In memory of the distinguished Spanish author Don Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra (1547-1616); author of the immortal work Quixote de la Mancha. The station xxxxxx in the Territory of Río Negro and xxx Don Vincente Ibañez en León autor de sus grandezas.

Challacó

FCS a Zapala

Located in Confluencia Department of the Territory of Neuquén. Challacó is an Araucane word meaning wave of water.

Chelforó

FCS a Neuquén

Station of the Territory of Río Negro. It has been called this Araucane word which means peoples' bones. There was an indigenous peoples' cemetery on the site, hence the reason for the name.

Chimpay

FCS a Neuquén

Station of the Territory of Río Negro in Avellaneda Department. Chimpay is an Araucane word meaning site for lodging or camping.

Chichinales

FCS a Neuquén

The estancia of the same name is located in General Roca Department of the Territory of Río Negro and near to the station. The name Chichinales comes from the Araucane word for the metal lead.

Choele Choel

FCS a Neuquén

The populated island of Choele-Choel, Territory of Río Negro, gives its name to the station in that territory. The island was discovered by the explorer Basilio Villarino in 1783. Expeditionary troops of Rosas and of General Roca occupied it in 1833 and 1879 respectively. The name is Araucane and means scarecrow made of tree bark.

Cinco Saltos

FCS a Neuquén

Owes its name to the five artificial waterfalls which are near the station, the waters of which are made use of in the fruit orchards. It is situated in General Roca Department in the Territory of Río Negro.

Cipolletti

FCS a Neuquén

The Italian engineer Don César Cipolletti (1843-1908), who arrived in the country in 1888 directed the irrigation works, undertook intake works on the Mendoza and Tunuyan rivers, a general study of the Negro river and various dam and irrigation works. Station of the Territory of Río Negro, General Roca Department.

Clemente Onelli

FCE a Bariloche

See Onelli, Clemente

Colhué-Huapí

FCE a Colonia Sarmiento

An Araucane expression which means lake of the dun-coloured island. A loch near the station is exactly this colour. Territory of Chubut.

Colonia Las Heras

FCE a Colonia Las Heras

Don Juan Gregorio de Las Heras (1780-1866), was a general in the time of South American independence and Governor of Buenos Aires. This colony was founded in 1908 in the Territory of Santa Cruz.

Colonia Sarmiento

FCE a Colonia Sarmiento

In honour of Don Domingo Faustino Sarmiento, the colony was established by a decree of 1887 in the region of lakes Musters and Cohué Huapí, Territory of Chubut.

Comallo

FCE a Bariloche

The village of this name, of Pilcanoyen Department, Territory of Río Negro gave its name to the station. The description is Araucane and means milky white water.

Comferpet

FCE a Colonia Sarmiento

Located in the Territory of Chubut on the branch line from Comferpet to Astra. It owes its name to writing Com-Fer-Pet as an abbreviation for Compañía Ferrocarrilera de Petróleo which was the owner of the private siding established at the railway halt.

Comodoro Rivadavia

FCE a Colonia Sarmiento

The seaman, Don Martín Rivadavia (1852-1901), had a brilliant career in our Navy, both in times of war and in scientific commissions. He worked intensively on the modernization of the squadron and, being Minister of War, was the author of the law of compulsory military service in the Navy. Town and station of the Territory of Chubut.

Contralmirante* Cordero

*Should be spelt Contraalmirante (with double a) but often pronounced as written.

FCS a Neuquén

Rear Admiral Don Mariano Cordero (1820-1899) started his career fighting against Garibaldi off Montevideo and then took part in the battle of Costa Brava. He served for 64 years. Station of the Territory of Neuquén, General Roca Department.

Contralmirante* Guerrico

*Should be spelt Contraalmirante (with double a) but often pronounced as written.

FCS a Neuquén

Carries the name of Rear Admiral Don Martin Guerrico (1838-1929), who served in the Navy during the national organization and in the Paraguay Campaign. He was the founder and first Head of the Naval School. He took part in the Desert Campaign of 1879 and explored various rivers in Patagonia. Situated in the Territory of Neuquén, General Roca Department.

Coronel Belisle

FCS a Neuquén

For Colonel Don Pablo C Belisle (1850-1906) who distinguished himself in the Paraguay War and took part in civil strife and frontier disputes. Located in the Territory of Río Negro, Avellaneda Department.

Coronel Eugenio del Busto

FCS a Neuquén

Colonel Don Eugenio Busto (1800-1899) was held captive by the indians of the Pampas from the age of 10 until he was 25, which served him well in performing most useful services during the Frontier Wars under the orders of Colonel Rauch. He populated Fortín Federación (today's Junín) and founded the town of Bragado. He fought the indians until 1851, and in the battle of Caseros in 1852. It is to be found in the Territory of Río Negro, in Pichi-Mahuida Department.

Coronel J. J. Gómez

FCS a Neuquén

Brave and professional soldier (1848-1935) who distinguished himself especially in the Indian War and in the battle of Revancha de ñacos in 1882. He died 14 September 1935. As proof of recognition of his virtues his name was given to this station of the Territory of Río Negro.

Corral Chico

FCE a Bariloche

For the name of the stream of this name which is born near the Atlantic coast and waters the Veintecinco de Mayo Department of the Territory of Río Negro, in which is found the station.

Cutral Co

FCS a Zapala

Editor's note – Given this name in 1933, but the reason is not known.

Darwin

FCS a Neuquén

For the learned English naturalist Dr Charles Robert Darwin (1809-1882), who traversed our country in the time of Rosas and left his written impression of it in the book My Voyage around the World. The station is situated in the Territory of Río Negro.

Dolavón*

*Nowadays spelt without the accent.

FCCC

Welsh name of a neighbourhood situated near Gaiman, Territory of Chubut. The village was founded by Mr Jose Gaffet on 26 June 1918.

NB The railway got there first in 1915, when the station was called Valle Superior.

Enrique Hermite

FCE a Colonia Sarmiento

See Cerro Hermitte

Escalante, W.

FCE a Colonia Sarmiento

Dr Wenceslao Escalante (1852-1912) was a lawyer, legislator, Director of the National Bank and the Banco Hipotecario, Minister of State, Professor and Deacon of the Faculty of Rights. In homage of Dr Escalante there are two stations, one with his Christian name, in Cordoba, the other with his surname in the Territory of Chubut.

Falkener (Falckner)

FCE a Bariloche

In homage to the Jesuit, Father Thomas Falkner (1707-1784), English doctor, botanist and physicist who studied the properties of the plants and waters of our country. He explored Patagonia. He was the author of scientific books and, from 1740 to 1767, practised medicine in the villages of the River Plate. This station is in the Territory of Río Negro, San Antonio Department.

Fitz Roy

FCE a Colonia Las Heras

Editor's note – Presumably to commemorate the visit of Captain Fitzroy to Patagonia on board the Beagle.

Fortín Uno

FCS a Neuquén

Thus is named the colony established by decree of12 August 1904, in the department situated on the right bank of the Colorado river in the Territory of Río Negro, where the was a fortlet during the Frontiers War in 1879. We suppose it had been garrisoned by troops of the 1st infantry or by the 1st cavalry, as both were involved in the expedition to this region, and thus was given this name.

The name of the station predates the colony by a few years.

General Roca

FCS a Neuquén

Editor's note – Presumably named after the homonymous fort established as part of General Roca's Conquest of the Desert.

Gaiman

FCCC

Bears this name for the then existing department in the Territory of Chubut, created in 1904 and the administrative centre whose origin dates from 1871, the year in which a colony of Welsh settlers was established. Gaiman is an Araucane word which means point of stone.

Ganzú Lauquén

FCE a Bariloche

Situated in the Territory of Río Negro. Its name is an Araucane expression means geese loch.

Garay, Juan de

FCS a Neuquén

Situated in the Territory of Río Negro, it recalls General Juan de Garay (1528-1583), founder of the city of Santa Fe de la Vera Cruz in 1573 and of Buenos Aires on 11 June 1580. He similarly worked in Peru. Chile and Paraguay. He died in 1583, assassinated by indians in the present San Pedro district in the Paraná river.

General Fernández Oro

FCS a Neuquén

In memory of General Fernández Oro (1846-1919) whose service record shows 46 years of active military service. He was a warrior in Paraguay, expeditionary to the Desert and then Quartermaster General. The Territory of Río Negro, where this station is located, owes him for much of its rural progress.

General Godoy

FCS a Neuquén

Recalls General Enrique Godoy (1850-1910), a native of San Juan. Served under General Roca in the Expedition to the Desert. He was National Deputy, head of the military line in Río Negro, head of the Army's General Staff, Minister of War, Governor of San Juan and National Senator. Station situated in the Territory of Río Negro.

General L. Bernal

FCE a Bariloche

This station in the Territory of Río Negro recalls General Liborio Bernal (1838-1901). He took part in the Paraguay War, he contributed to the suppression of the rebellion in Entre Ríos and served in the Frontier Wars. In 1890 he was in government service. In 1893 he was head of the forces and administrator in Santa Fe as a result of the revolution in that province. He was also governor of the Territory of Río Negro and head of the council of war for leaders and officers.

General Lorenzo Wintter (General Nicolás Vintter)

FCE a Bariloche

In honour of the military man with a brilliant career in the army during the second half of the century (ie XIXth), especially in the Desert Campaign. General Lorenzo Wintter (1842-1915) was a good, valiant, honourable man. This station which perpetuates his name is found in the territory of Río Negro.

General Nicolás H. Palacios

FCE a Bariloche

Station in the Territory of Río which recalls General Nicolás H. Palacios (1845-1901). He distinguished himself in deeds of arms in Desert Campaign, in action against López Jordán, in the revolutions 1880 and 1890 and in Frontier Wars. He was head of the Military from 1890 to 1892, head of the forces in Córdoba and San Luis and the Army's General Staff.

Holdich

FCE a Colonia Sarmiento

In memory of Sir Thomas Holdich, delegated by HM the King of England, Edward VII, to define the boundary between Chile and our country in 1902. Situated in the Territory of Chubut. The vast picture of Holdich remained compressed in numerous scientific works, one of which is about our country and Chile ,published in 1904. He died in Surrey on 3 November 1929.

Ingeniero Julián Romero

FCS a Neuquén

Commemorates the engineer, Julián Romero, who he!d various public offices in the Province of Buenos Aires, The station is located in the territory of Río Negro.

Ingeniero Jacobacci

FCE a Bariloche

Recalls the engineer, Guido Jacobacci, who figured greatly in this part of the Territory of Río Negro in connection with the construction of dams and irrigation canals, in which territory the station is located.

Ingeniero Luis A. Huergo

FCS a Neuquén

Station of the Territory of Río Negro recalls the engineer Luis A. Huergo (1837-1913) in charge of the works of the Port of Riachuelo, Dock Sur and other important works in the interior of the country. He was an exemplary university professor, minister and functionary.

Ingeniero Otto Krause

FCS a Neuquén

Editor's note – Ingeniero Otto Krause was a distinguished late 19th early 20th century engineer in the academic field. His connection with Patagonia is not known.

Ingeniero Zimmermann (Ingeniero Zimmermann Resta)

FCE a Bariloche

Station situated in the Territory of Río Negro which recalls the engineer Alfredo Zimmerman Resta who undertook the design of the line from San Antonio to Nahuel Huapí. He died as a result of a railway accident in that territory.

Jaramillo

FCE a Colonia Las Heras

In homage to Gregorio Jaramillo, sergeant in the army of General Belgrano, who distinguished himself by an heroic deed in the action of Culpina, 31 January 1816. Station of the Territory of Santa Cruz.

Juan de Garay

FCS a Neuquén

See Garay, Juan de

Koluel Kayké

FCE a Colonia Las Heras

Situated in Deseado Department of the Territory of Santa Cruz. It bears the name of the rural establishment of Don Donato Baino.The meaning of the words is white horse.

Laguna Grande

FCCC

This name comes from the lagoon so named at the site of the station, located in the Territory of Chubut.

Las Chapas

FCCC

Situated in the Territory of Chubut. For the site where there was a rural tavern, built of corrugated iron and owned by a German called Maurell. The wagon-drivers rested here on their way to the Andes.

Lista, Ramón

FCE a Colonia Las Heras

This station in the Territory of Santa Cruz recalls the explorer and man of science who traversed the whole of Patagonia and the Argentine North in a journey of study. He was assassinated by indians in the North in 1897. He was the son of a colonel of the Wars on Independence of the same name.

Los Juncos

FCE a Bariloche

Bears the name of a nearby lagoon in which abounds this plant, well-known for growing in marshlands. Located in the Territory of Río Negro.

Los Menucos

FCE a Bariloche

Situated in the Territory of Río Negro, in a location whose main characteristic is the low-lying loose soil, which in the indigenous language is called menucos.

Mainqué

FCS a Neuquén

This station in the General Roca Department, in the Territory of Río Negro, bears this name in the Pampa language which means condor. In this spot on 5 July 1879, the Minister of War General Roca camped.

Mancha Blanca

FCE a Bariloche

Location and station in the Territory of Neuquén, designated thus for the characteristic landscape. On the side of a hill there are two white patches of ground and due to this circumstance the station bears this name.

Maquinchao

FCE a Bariloche

Is located in the principal village of the Veintecinco de Mayo Department in the Territory of Río Negro. Its name is in the Tehuelche language and means big field. The village was founded in 1907.

Minerales

FCE a Colonia Las Heras

Situated in the Territory of Santa Cruz and called thus because at this location a number of investigations looking for minerals were carried out. Nearby is Cañadón Minerales.

Ministro Ramos Mexía

FCE a Bariloche

Station of the Territory of Río Negro. Bears the name of the ex-Minister of Public Works during the second presidency of General Roca. Dr Ezequiel Ramos Mexía (1853-1936), lawyer, publicist and diplomat in whose term of office was projected the railway to the territories of the South, in Patagonia. He was also a director of the Entre Ríos Railway.

Musters

FCE a Bariloche

This station of the Territory of Río Negro was so baptised in homage to the explorer of Patagonia in 1869, the Englishman Captain George Chaworth Musters, whose name is also recalled in a lake. He was the author of a book in which he describes his travels through this region. It was published in London in 1873.

Nahuel Niyeu

FCE a Bariloche

Situated in Valcheta Department of the Territory of Río Negro. It is an Araucane word translatable as site of the tiger.

Neneo Rucá

FCE a Bariloche

Toponymic name whose Tehuelche words mean neneo – bush; rucá – house. Situated in the Territory of Río Negro.

Neuquén

FCE a Neuquén

Planted in the town of the same name given by Neuquén river, it is an Araucane word meaning rapids or fast current.

Nirihuau

FCE a Bariloche

Bears the name of a burn which passes through the spot, in the Territory of Río Negro. Niri is a plant of the region and huau means canyon.

Nuevo León

FCE a Bariloche

This was the first name which, in memory of the Kingdom of Léon, was given to Patagonia in 1536, by the conquistador, Simón de Alcazava. It is located in San Antonio Department, Territory of Río Negro.

Onelli, Clemente

FCE a Bariloche

In memory of the naturalist and palæontologist Don Clemente Onelli, geologist, writer, explorer, sage, director of the zoological garden of Buenos Aires and member of the Board of the Museum of Natural History of La Plata (1864-1924). The station is situated in the Territory of Río Negro.

Padre A Stefanelli

FCS a Neuquén

See Stefanelli, Alejandro

Pajalta

FCE a Bariloche

Toponymic name of the region in which abounds straw of which is used in our countryside for the construction of hovels. Situated in Valcheta Department of the Territory of Río Negro.

Pampa Alta

FCE a Colonia Las Heras

Has this name on account of the nature of the land, in Deseado Department of Territory of Santa Cruz. Pampa is a Quechua* word for plain. *Quechua is the language of the Incas.

Pampa del Castillo

FCE a Colonia Sarmiento

This traditional name is used to name part of the Territory of Chubut, surrounded by some high plateaux known as Patagonic table tops.

Patagones

FCE a Bariloche

Is the station of Carmen de Patagones which had its origin in a fortlet constructed by Don Francisco de Viedma on the left bank of the Negro river in 1779. This fortlet was a bastion against the indian. In 1827, during the Brazil War, the Imperial squadron attacked the town and was repulsed. Patagones is the name of the indians who inhabited the region of the South. It is an altered word which should really be patagunya and signifies the colonies, the plateaux and the steps.

Percy H. Scott

FCE a Bariloche

See Scott, Percy H.

Pichi-Leufú

FCE a Bariloche

Has this name because of the burn of this same name in the Territory of Río Negro. Pichi leufú is an Araucane phrase meaning a small river or stream.

Pichi-Mahuada

FCS a Neuquén

Has the name of the mountains of the same name in the Territory of Río Negro. Pichi mahuida is Araucane and means small mountains. The site was occupied by the Expeditionary Army to the Desert lead by General Roca in 1879. There the cacique* Catriel was taken prisoner along with his tribe.
*
Cacique is the Spanish for tribal chief.

Pico Truncado

FCE a Colonia Las Heras

Town founded by a decree of 12 July 1921, in Deseado Department of the Territory of Santa Cruz. Its name is due to a geographical occurrence thus called.
Pico is a Spanish word for peak and truncado means truncated.

Piedra Clavada

FCE a Colonia Las Heras

Thus is named the town which was founded by a decree of 12 July 1921 in Deseado Department of the Territory of Santa Santa Cruz. Its name is due to a great cleft stone nearby, in a field called Ludden.
In Spanish piedra is a stone and clavada means cleft.

Pilcaniyeú

FCE a Bariloche

Has this name of the department and is a town of the Territory of Río Negro. The land for the station was donated by the Southern Argentine Lands Company. Pilcaniyeú is an Araucane word which may be translated as site of the ducks.

Playa Unión

FCCC

Situated beside the Atlantic Ocean in the Territory of Chubut, it is a place with a bathing station which is greatly frequented during the short Patagonic summer.

Plaza Huincul

FCS a Zapala

Is the name of a salubrious water hole in the Territory of Neuquén. The name of Plaza may have been used for this spot, given its location in the middle of the desert, because it was a staging post. Huincul is a hillock or crest in the great expanse which surrounds it.

Plottier

FCS a Zapala

Surname of the original settlers in the area in Confluencia Department of the Territory of Neuquén. The brothers Plottier were industrialists and wine producers.

Presidente Roberto M. Ortiz

FCE a Colonia Sarmiento

Editor's note – President Ortiz was president during 1938-42. No connection has been made between him and the railway or the area.

Puerto Deseado

FCE a Colonia Las Heras

Port and station of the Territory of Santa Cruz. Recalls the name of the pirate ship Desire of the sailor Thomas Cavendish from 1586.

Puerto Madryn

FCCC

Recalls Captain Parry Madryn, head of an expedition made up of Welsh families who established themselves on this site on 28 July 1865, founding the first agricultural colony of the area during the government of General Mitre. This station is situated on the Golfo Nuevo of Port Madryn. It is the most important port of Patagonia and with the town of the same name is the principal centre of population of Viedma Department in the Territory of Chubut.

Ramón Castro

FCS a Zapala

See Castro, Ramón

Ramón Lista

FCE a Colonia Las Heras

See Lista, Ramón

Rawson

FCCC

In homage to Dr Guillermo Rawson (1821-1880) a native of San Juan. Graduated in medicine in 1844 and returned to his native province. On the word of his political adversary, Don Domingo Faustino Sarmiento, he enjoyed a reputation greater than his years, due to his precocious talents. He was a legislator and politician of great prestige settling in Buenos Aires following the battle of Pavón. He had a seat in the National Senate and was Minister of the Interior during the presidency of General Mitre. In 1879 he was a member of the Constituent Reforming Convention of Buenos Aires. He became a National Senator until 1880. His professional practice was distinguished and he brilliantly represented his country in various scientific congresses. Two stations perpetuate his name, the first situated in the Chacabuco Department of the Province of Buenos Aires, and the second in the town of the same name which is the principal town in the department of the same name in the Territory of Chubut.

Río Colorado

FCS a Neuquén

So called because of the town and river of the same name in the Territory of Río Negro. The river takes its name from the colour which a reddish clay gives its waters. In 1780, it was explored by the pilot of the Royal (Spanish) Navy Don Basilio Villarino.

San Antonio Oeste

FCE a Bariloche

Has this name from the town and port of the same name in the Gulf of San Matías in the Territory of Río Negro. It recalls the patron saint of Lisbon, San Antonio, The colony was created by decree of 30 October 1890,

San Carlos de Bariloche

FCE a Bariloche

Is the principal town of the Department of the same name in the Territory of Río Negro. It is one of the principal centres of tourism in the Republic due to the natural beauty of the region where has been created the Great National Park, of the South. The town was founded by Don Carlos Wierderhold for whom it bears his name and Bariloche due to the Veriloche who were to be found in these past at the time of the Conquest. In 1670, the Jesuit Fathers established a mission here and its founder, Father Nicolas Mascardi was assassinated. His name is perpetuated in the name of a lake in the region. The Araucane word Veriloches, somewhat modified means furri = sword (referring to the mountains) lof = the pass and che = people The Chileans call the pass Variloche.

Sarmiento

FCE a Colonia Sarmiento

See Colonia Sarmiento

Scott, Percy H.

FCE a Bariloche

British admiral (1853-1924). In his brilliant career as a sailor he took in various wars and expeditions. In 1908 he came to Buenos Aires as head of the South Africa flotilla. Situated in the territory of Río Negro on the State Railways' line from San Antonio Oeste to Nahuel Huapí [ie Bariloche] in the Veintecinco de Mayo Department. By decree of the Executive Power of 13 September 1913, it was agreed to give it this name.

Senillosa

FCS a Zapala

Displays the surname of the proprietor, in whose fields the station is located in the Confluencia Department of the Territory of Neuquén, Dr Felipe Senillosa.

Sierra Colorada

FCE a Bariloche

Located in the Territory of Río Negro. It is called thus because of the characteristic red colour of the mountains.

Stefenelli, Alejandro

FCS a Neuquén

Recalls the Salesian priest who was a missionary in Patagonia, and was a pioneer in the area in which the station is to be found in Río Negro. He introduced the first agricultural machinery, constructed irrigation works, established an agricultural school in the area known as Los Perales [The Pear Trees] and developed agriculture in the region. The name was given to this station by the National Government in 1943 following a petition by all the neighbours.

Talcahuala

FCE a Bariloche

Situated in Valcheta, Río Negro. The translation of this Araucane word Talca huala is diving duck.

Talleres

FCE a Colonia Sarmiento

Thus called for the workshops of the State Railways sited some three kilometres from Comodoro Rivadavia in the Territory of Chubut.

Tehuelches

FCE a Colonia Las Heras

Has this name for the indians who live to the south of the Negro river are commonly called Patagons. Their language is distinct from Araucane. Tehuelche means in theiroewn language peopleof the South. Station situated in Deseado Department in the Territory of Santa Cruz.

Tellier

FCE a Colonia Las Heras

Recalls the engineer Don Luis Abel Tellier (1828-1913), a native of France who invented a series of apparatuses for the conservation of food which decompose readily. His first experiments in our country resulted in the ability to convey frozen meat to France in 1876, He published an interesting book entitled Histoire d'une invention moderne: le frigorifiques [History of a modern invention: meat-freezing plants], Paris 1910. Station situated in the Territory of Santa Cruz.

Teniente Maza

FCE a Bariloche

Lieutenant Maza was one of the officers killed during the war against the indians. On the topographic plans of Major Jacobo Wysoseni published in 1877, a fortlet appears with his name near Guamini. Station situated in the Territory of Rio Negro, in Valcheta Department.

Trelew

FCCC

This town of Rawson Department of the Territory of Chubut was founded in 1888. Trelew in the Welsh language means Lewistown, a name given to honour one of the first settlers in the area, Don Lewis Jones.

Valcheta

FCE a Bariloche

Bears the name of the hills and the stream on whose edge is located the station in the Territory of Río Negro.

Valle Hermoso

FCE a Colonia Sarmiento

Located in Sarmiento Department, Territory of Chubut, in a very picturesque valley with abundant vegetation and irrigated by rivers which is why it is called thus.

Vicealmirante E. O’Connor

FCE a Bariloche

Station in the Territory of Rio Negro, bears the name in homage to Argentine vice admiral, Don Eduardo O'Connor (1858-1921). He was an Expeditionary to the Desert in 1879. He held important positions in the Navy over a period of 48 years..

Viedma

FCE a Bariloche

Station of the city of the same name, capital of the Territory of Río Negro. Commemorates the Spanish explorer Don Francisco de Viedma (1737-1809) who gave great service in Patagonia and Río Negro. He was first, in 1781, who showed the Government the strategic importance of the river of this name. From 1785 to 1809 he was Governor of the Province of Santa Cruz de la Sierra (in what is now Bolivia). From 1806 to 1807, he had gunpowder made at Cochabamba (now in Bolivia) and raised a body of troops in support of Buenos Aires during the English Invasions, cooperation which did not bear fruit.

Villa Regina

FCS a Neuquén

Bears the name of a colony in whose lands stands the station in the Territory of the Río Negro. It owes its original name to Doña Regina Pacini de Alvear.

Zapala

FCS a Neuquén

Name of the terminal station of the Southern Railway in the Territory of Neuquén, a town founded in 1888. Zapala is in the Araucane language a corruption of chapad which means mire, swamp, bad condition, xxx xxx, xxxx is a canyon full of mires.

Zorilla, Benjamín

FCS a Neuquén

In homage to Dr Benjamín Zorilla (1840-1896), lawyer, Governor of Salta, Director of the National Bank and President of the National Council for Education. Situated in the Territory of Río Negro, Avellaneda Department.

References
1 Significado de la nomenclatura de las estaciones ferroviarias de la República Argentina, by Enrique Udaondo, Ministerio de Obras Públicas, Buenos Aires, 1942
2 Unpublished papers discussing the proposed names of stations on the line from Puerto Deseado, 1910. Copies held in Pto. Deseado station museum.

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