Lajes history

Foundation and First Records

The history of Lajes is inextricably linked to the colonization of the interior regions of the state of Rio Grande do Norte and the so-called "cattle cycle." The first settlements in this territory emerged as a result of settlers moving inland from the coast. For a long time, the area was part of the municipality of Angicos.

Official political emancipation occurred in the early 20th century. Lajes received the status of a city and an independent municipality in December 1923, which became the starting point for its administrative and social development.

Key Factors of Formation

Several circumstances contributed to the transformation of a small settlement into an important regional center:

• Geographical Location: The city is located at a strategic point in the Central Potengi region, at the foot of the famous Cabugi Peak (Pico do Cabugi) — an extinct volcano that served as an important landmark for travelers and explorers.
• Transport Accessibility: The construction of the railway played a decisive role in the economic rise. The appearance of the railway station connected Lajes with other parts of the state, simplifying the logistics of goods and the movement of people.
• Natural Resources: The name of the city (translating to "slabs" or "stone layers") refers to the geological features of the area and the presence of stone used in construction.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

The economic foundation of early Lajes was based on agriculture, adapted to the semi-arid climate of the sertão (hinterland):

• Cotton Farming: The cultivation of cotton, referred to as "white gold," was the main source of income and attracted new residents to the region.
• Cattle Ranching: The raising of cattle shaped not only the economy but also the distinct "sertanejo" culture with its traditions, clothing, and folklore.

Major Historical Milestones

• 1825: The beginning of the actual settlement of the territory with the founding of the farm by Francisco Pedro de Gomes Melo, which became an important resting point for cattle drivers.
• 1895: Lajes receives the status of an administrative district subordinated to the municipality of Jardim de Angicos.
• 1903: A tragic event at the "Angel's Stone" (Pedra do Anjo) involving the disappearance of the child José Alexandrino, after which the Chapel of the Holy Cross was erected on this site.
• 1914: The arrival of the "Sampaio Correia" railway, giving a powerful impulse to the economic development of the region.
• 1914: Transfer of the administrative center from Jardim de Angicos to Lajes according to State Law No. 360.
• 1918: Official opening of the Lajes railway station, which became a key transport hub.
• 1923: Final political emancipation and the granting of independent municipality status to Lajes (Law No. 572 of December 3).
• 1928: Historic elections in which Luiza Alzira Teixeira Soriano became the first female mayor in Latin America.
• 1929: Alzira Soriano takes office as prefect, an event that brought international fame to the city.
• 1943: Renaming of the city to Itaretama, which means "region of stones" in the Tupi language, by State Decree No. 268.
• 1953: Return of the historical name Lajes at the request of local residents (Law No. 1.032).
• 1963: Creation of the Firmamento district, the only one of the historical districts that remains part of the municipality to this day.
• 1990s: Cessation of regular railway services, marking the end of the "train era" in the region.
• 2019: Restoration of the historic station building and the opening of the "Estação das Artes" (Station of the Arts) cultural center within it.

Key Stages of Development

The history of Lajes is a journey from a stopover for cattle drivers to an important transport and cultural hub of the region. Below are the main milestones that defined the modern appearance of the city:

• Arrival of the Railway (1914–1918)
  The construction of the station and the launch of railway services radically changed the settlement's economy. This provided a direct link to the coast and the state capital, transforming Lajes from an isolated hinterland into a trading center for the Central Potengi region.
• Political Emancipation (1923)
  Official separation from the municipality of Angicos gave the city administrative independence. This allowed it to form its own budget, develop urban infrastructure, and directly manage local resources.
• Election of Alzira Soriano (1928)
  An event of global scale: Lajes became the first city in Latin America where a woman was elected mayor. This fact not only entered the history of the struggle for women's rights but also secured the city's status as a progressive center, attracting the attention of the press and politicians.
• Era of "White Gold" (Mid-20th Century)
  The flourishing of cotton farming became a powerful economic driver. The cultivation and primary processing of cotton provided employment for the population and an influx of capital, which contributed to the growth of urban development and the appearance of stone buildings.
• Construction of Federal Highway BR-304 (1970s)
  With the decline of rail transport, the role of the main artery passed to the roadway. The passage of the highway through Lajes made it an important logistical point and a stop for travelers between Natal and Mossoró, stimulating the development of the service and trade sectors.
• Cultural Revitalization (2019)
  The restoration of the old railway station and the opening of the "Estação das Artes" cultural center marked a new stage in urban planning. The project turned an abandoned object into a tourist attraction and a platform for preserving historical memory.

Urban Evolution

The urban development of Lajes was determined by two main factors: geography and transport arteries. Initially, the settlement formed chaotically around farms and cattle trails, typical for the Brazilian sertão (arid interior regions). With the arrival of the railway in the early 20th century, the urban structure acquired a linear character, stretching along the tracks. Later, in the second half of the century, the vector of development shifted to the federal highway BR-304, which became the new economic axis of the city, surrounded by commercial and residential developments.

Architectural Styles and Eras

The architectural appearance of Lajes is modest and functional, reflecting the history of a small city in the interior of the state of Rio Grande do Norte. It is difficult to distinguish lavish examples of European styles like Baroque or Gothic here, but there is a clear connection between historical periods and types of buildings:

• Traditional Sertão Architecture (19th – early 20th century):

  Early buildings were characterized by simplicity and utility. Local materials were used: adobe, wood, and stone. These are single-story houses with gable roofs, wide eaves for sun protection, and high ceilings for ventilation. The style is dictated by the climate and the availability of resources.

• Railway Eclecticism (1910s – 1920s):

  The construction of the station brought elements of the engineering architecture of that time to the city. Buildings associated with the railway were built of brick using more complex structural solutions, distinguished by geometric rigor and reliability.

• Provincial Modernism (Mid – late 20th century):

  With the acquisition of city status and the development of administration, public buildings (schools, city hall) began to appear with features of simplified modernism: straight lines, concrete structures, functional zoning, and a rejection of excessive decoration.

Landmark Structures

Despite its small size, Lajes has objects that form its historical identity:

• Railway Station (Estação Ferroviária de Lajes):

  Built in 1918, this complex is the main historical monument of the city. The building combines the functionality of a transport hub of the early 20th century and the aesthetics characteristic of the Brazilian railway network of that period. The recently restored station now serves as a cultural center, preserving original architectural features.

• Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception (Igreja Matriz de Nossa Senhora da Conceição):

  The main Catholic temple of the city. Its architecture is maintained in a restrained style characteristic of religious buildings in the interior of northeastern Brazil: a symmetrical façade, a central bell tower, and minimal stucco molding.

• Alzira Soriano Palace (Palácio Alzira Soriano):

  The building of the municipal prefecture (city hall), named after the first female mayor of Latin America. This administrative building symbolizes the political history of the city and is executed in a strict official style of the mid-20th century.

Historical Figures and Pioneers

The history of Lajes is rich in the names of people whose activities went far beyond the city, influencing the political and cultural life of the entire region and even the country.

• Luiza Alzira Teixeira Soriano
  Politician, the first female mayor in Latin America
  The most famous figure in the city's history. In 1928, at the age of 32, she won the municipal elections, receiving 60% of the vote, and took office on January 1, 1929. This event was unprecedented for its time, as women in Brazil did not yet have universal suffrage (it was introduced at the federal level only in 1932). Her rule opened a new era in the struggle for women's rights in South America.
• Francisco Pedro de Gomes Melo
  Landowner, founder of the settlement
  A pioneer in the development of these lands. In 1825, he founded the first large farm in the territory of the modern municipality. His estate became a key resting point for cattle drivers (boiadeiros) traveling through the arid sertão. It was around his possessions that the settlement began to form, which subsequently grew into the city of Lajes.
• Miguel Teixeira de Vasconcelos
  Political leader, Colonel (Coronel)
  An influential political figure of the early 20th century and the father of Alzira Soriano. He was the first appointed prefect (mayor) of Lajes after the transfer of the administrative center here in 1914. His "Primavera" farm served as a center for regional political decision-making, where governors and senators of that time gathered.

Cultural and Public Figures

In addition to politicians, the names of people associated with spiritual life and the development of local identity have been preserved in the memory of the city's residents.

• José Alexandrino
  Folk saint, symbol of faith
  A boy whose tragic death in 1903 formed the basis of one of the city's main religious traditions. Having become lost in the forests near the mountain range, he was found dead on a stone, which was later named "Angel's Stone" (Pedra do Anjo). Local residents revere him as a miracle worker, and the place of his death has become a center of pilgrimage and the site of the Chapel of the Holy Cross.
• Francisco de Oliveira Cabral
  Politician, public figure
  Known as "Chico Cabral," he played an important role in the modernization of the city in the mid-20th century. Occupying the post of mayor at various times (from the 1930s to the 1950s), he contributed to the development of urban infrastructure and the strengthening of the administrative status of Lajes after a period of instability.