The Copiapó River Valley, Atacama Region

Atacama: San Antonio

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The village of San Antonio is located between Los Loros and Lautaro. From Los Loros it is 9 kilometers passing several fruit companies. The village is notable for its chapel of a very particular style dating from 1896.
The village height is 978 m. above sea level.

In the past, San Antonio was a very important town. Demographic statistics for the years 1875 and 1895 show a population of over 600 people. In comparison, Los Loros had fewer than 550 inhabitants at the same time.

"In the beginning San Antonio was immediately named for his rich silver mines" (Domeyko, 1904).
For a short time the railway line from Copiapó reached San Antonio. A line extension to Argentina was even planned for this place (see here more). The inauguration of the line dates back to February 1867, but in 1882 it was reported that the line was abandoned and destroyed in parts. After the construction of the railway line, a telegraph line was opened to San Antonio (1881). Pérez-Rosales (1859) reported that the extension of the railway line to San Antonio provoked a strong economic development of the sector. KUNZ (1890) mentions successful watermelon plantations in San Antonio that are exported north.
During the earthquake of 26 May 1851, San Antonio was completely destroyed.
From San Antonio, 4 kilometers to reach the Inca smelter "Viña del Cerro".
See Atacama Books Collection

Informative Chart:
Location Information:
UTM: E396.389 / N69.16.170
Altitude: 978m - 1006m
Distance to Copiapó: 70,1 km