Villagarzon history

Founding History

Villagarzon is a relatively young city in the Putumayo Department, whose history is inextricably linked to the colonization processes of the Amazon foothills in the mid-20th century. The official founding date of the settlement is considered to be 1946. Initially, the area was known as Urcusique, but later the city received its modern name in honour of Julio Garzón Moreno, who played a significant role in organizing local education and public life.

Key Factors of Establishment

The development of the city was determined by several important circumstances that turned a small settlement into an important municipal centre:

• Geographical Location: The city is located in a strategically important transition zone between the Andean mountain ranges and the vast plains of the Amazon. This made it a natural point for rest and trade.
• Transport Accessibility: The construction of roads connecting Mocoa, the departmental capital, with the port of Puerto Asís provided a powerful impulse for the settlement of the territory.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

In the first decades of its existence, the economy of the region where Colombia is located relied on agriculture and the extraction of natural resources in this part of the country. The population consisted mainly of settlers from neighbouring departments such as Nariño and Huila. This mixture led to the formation of a special cultural way of life, in which Andean traditions intertwined with the lifestyle characteristic of the inhabitants of the Amazon rainforest.

Foundation and Formation

• 1930s: The first settlement in this area existed under the name Urcusique and was located in the hilly zone of the foothills.
• 1942: Local residents decide to move their homes to the flat territory for the convenience of construction and expansion of the village.
• 8 December 1946: Regional Commissioner Julio César Garzón Moreno officially founds the city of Villagarzon at its current location.
• 1963: The settlement receives the official status of a corregimiento (administrative district), which contributes to its primary development.

Development of Infrastructure and Self-Government

• 1971: Massive construction of the local airport begins, designed to connect the region with the rest of the country.
• 1973: The first phase of the airport is inaugurated, and the paved road to the departmental capital is launched.
• 14 March 1977: By Special Decree No. 574, the territory is proclaimed an independent municipality.
• 2 May 1977: The new municipal administration officially assumes its duties.

Modern History

• 1982: The founder of the city, in whose honour the settlement bears its current name, passes away.
• 1991: The new constitution adopted by Colombia transforms Putumayo into a department, strengthening the status of local authorities.
• 2000s: The city definitively secures the informal title "The Heart of Putumayo" thanks to its strategic location.
• 2017: The city's airport becomes a key logistical hub for delivering humanitarian aid following a natural disaster in neighbouring Mocoa.
• Present Day: The municipality is actively developing ecotourism, attracting travellers to the waterfalls and nature trails of the Amazon.

Socio-Cultural and Economic Development

Beyond official dates and administrative decisions, the history of Villagarzon was shaped by qualitative changes in society. The transformation of the settlement into "The Heart of Putumayo" was the result of several important processes that formed the unique character of the municipality.

• Formation of an Educational Centre. An important milestone was the creation of its own system of secondary and vocational education. The opening of institutions such as the Guillermo Valencia College allowed young people to gain knowledge without leaving their hometown. This not only slowed the outflow of the population to large agglomerations but also turned the municipality into an intellectual centre for surrounding rural communities.
• Agricultural Specialization and the "Chontaduro Capital". The economic profile of the city transformed over time. From simple subsistence farming, local farmers moved to large-scale cultivation of commercial crops. A special place was taken by the chontaduro (peach palm) — a fruit that became the gastronomic symbol of the region. Annual festivals dedicated to this product have strengthened the cultural identity of residents and attracted the attention of agrotourists.
• Cultural Synthesis of Settlers. The demographic appearance of the city was formed under the influence of migration waves from the departments of Nariño, Huila, and Cauca. The meeting of Andean traditions with the way of life of the indigenous peoples of the Amazon created a special social climate. This mixture is reflected in local cuisine, folklore, and holidays, making the society more open and multifaceted.
• Emergence as a Trading Hub. Thanks to its advantageous geographical position, the city evolved from a transit point into a full-fledged commercial hub. A developed service sector and market infrastructure formed here, serving not only local residents but also entrepreneurs from neighbouring districts of Lower Putumayo, for whom Colombia opens up through this region.
• Ecological Reorientation. In recent decades, there has been a mental shift in attitudes towards nature. While the jungle was previously perceived solely as a source of resources, today the community focuses on preserving biodiversity. The development of infrastructure for birdwatching and hiking to waterfalls has become a new economic philosophy, uniting business and eco-activists.

Architectural Appearance and Urban Planning

Since Villagarzon was founded only in the mid-20th century, its architectural landscape differs radically from the ancient colonial cities for which Colombia is famous. Here you will not find lavish Baroque or monumental Classicism. The appearance of the city is a living illustration of the history of the development of the Amazon foothills, where pragmatism and functionality came to the fore.

Urban Development

The layout of the city follows the traditional Latin American "checkerboard" scheme (damero), adapted to the terrain. The centre of city life is the main square, from which streets diverge in a rectangular grid. This urban planning solution, laid down by the first settlers in the 1940s, allowed the city to grow and develop in an organized manner, maintaining clear logistics even with an increase in population.

Architectural Styles and Eras

The development of urban buildings can be divided into two key stages, each of which left its mark on the visual perception of the streets:

• Colonization Era (1940s–1960s): Initially, the vernacular style (folk architecture) dominated. The first buildings were erected from available local materials: wood and palm leaves, later replaced by zinc roofs. This style is characterized by simplicity of form, wide eaves for protection against tropical downpours, and open verandas.
• Modern Stage (from the 1970s): With the acquisition of municipal status and the development of the road network, functionalism arrived in the city. Buildings began to be constructed from brick and concrete. Architecture became more utilitarian, focused on durability and protection from the humid climate. Administrative buildings, schools, and most residential houses in the central part are executed in this style.

Iconic Structures

Although there are no ancient monuments in the city, several objects form its recognizable appearance:

• Parish Church (Templo Parroquial): The main architectural dominant feature of the centre. The building is designed in a modern style with elements of simplified Neo-Gothic (lancet windows, upward aspiration), which is often found in the Colombian provinces of the 20th century. The church serves as a visual landmark and the spiritual centre of the community.
• Canangchual Airport: An example of engineering architecture from the 1970s. Although the terminal looks modest and functional, its construction was a turning point in the city's history, symbolizing the region's connection with the outside world.
• Main Park: This is not just a green zone, but an important urban planning element. The park space is organized as a place of social integration, uniting administrative, religious, and commercial buildings into a single ensemble.

Notable Personalities of Villagarzon

Despite the fact that Villagarzon is a relatively young city, its history is filled with the names of people whose energy and labour contributed to transforming a small settlement into "The Heart of Putumayo". Here is a list of key figures who left a noticeable mark on the chronicles of the municipality.

• Julio César Garzón Moreno
  City Founder and Public Figure
  Colonel Garzón Moreno is the central figure in the history of the municipality. It was he who, as regional commissioner, made the strategic decision in 1946 to move the settlement of Urcusique to the flat terrain, personally supervising the layout of streets and the distribution of plots. The city bears his name in recognition of his merits in organizing civil life and education in this territory.
• Teresita Enríquez
  Cultural Pioneer and First Queen of the City
  Known as the winner of the first beauty pageant held in the early 1950s to raise funds for the construction of the main church. Her victory and active participation in public events became a symbol of the establishment of secular and cultural life in the early years of the city's existence, uniting the community of settlers.
• Luis Eduardo García Franco
  Political Leader and Mayor
  A multiple-term mayor of the city who played an important role in the modern administrative history of Villagarzon. His activities are linked to the implementation of infrastructure projects and the management of the municipality during periods of economic transformation in the region, aimed at developing the service sector and improving the quality of life for citizens.
• Francisco Jansasoy
  Master Artisan and Keeper of Traditions
  An outstanding representative of the local artisan community. Known for his contribution to the preservation and popularization of traditional techniques for working with natural materials of the Amazon. An active participant in regional exhibitions and the National Chontaduro Fair, where he represents the distinctive art of indigenous peoples and local masters.
• Gait Valencia
  Historical Figure of the Founding Period
  One of the first active female residents of the city, whose name has been preserved in popular memory thanks to her participation in the first public initiatives to improve the settlement. Her rivalry with Teresita Enríquez in the first civic contests became part of local folklore, reflecting the spirit of enthusiasm and solidarity of the first settlers.