The first formal establishment in the current jurisdiction of Río Grande corresponds to the Salesian Mission “Our Lady of Candelaria,” founded in 1893. In the following years, a police detachment and various commercial establishments were set up alongside the development of livestock farming in the area. Following this initial urbanization, on July 11, 1921, Hipólito Yrigoyen decreed the official founding of the Agricultural and Pastoral Colony of Río Grande. This name was eventually adopted due to the popularity of the river running through it.

The second chapter is marked by the discovery of oil, which began in 1949 and witnessed a strong influx of immigrants, bringing about significant changes in all aspects until 1973. The third chapter begins with establishing Law 19640 in 1973, continuing to the present day. This law led to the establishment of more than two hundred factories, dividing economic activity into three areas: electronics, plastics, and textiles. These new sources of employment generated the third significant wave of immigration, which undoubtedly led to the largest population growth.