History of Bahía Blanca in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: March 27, 2025

Bahía Blanca is a city in the Buenos Aires province of Argentina, located on Blanca Bay. It is the fourth-largest city in the province and the sixteenth-largest in the country by metropolitan population. It serves as the seat of government for the Bahía Blanca Partido and is the principal city in the Greater Bahía Blanca metropolitan area. According to the 2022 census, it has a population of 336,574 inhabitants.

March 1902: Construction of Puerto Belgrano

On March 1902, the construction of Puerto Belgrano, Argentina's largest naval base, was completed. The construction was designed and built by Italian engineer Luigi Luiggi and a Dutch company named Dirks, Dates & Van Hattem.

1912: Railway Station Opened

In 1912, the French Rosario and Puerto Belgrano Railway station opened in Bahía Blanca.

1920: Six Cinemas

By 1920, Bahía Blanca had six cinemas, reflecting the cultural influence of European immigrants.

January 1956: Universidad Nacional del Sur Founded

In January 1956, the Universidad Nacional del Sur (National University of the South) was founded in Bahía Blanca.

1960: City Development Plan

Around 1960, the Administration of Bahía Blanca decided to observe a plan of development, establishing criteria for future developments based on their purpose.

1962: Railway Station Closure

In 1962, the French Rosario and Puerto Belgrano Railway station closed.

1975: Most Devastating Rainfall

In 1975, Argentina faced the most devastating rainfall, until the flooding of March 2025.

January 1980: Highest Recorded Temperature

On January 21, 1980, Bahía Blanca recorded its highest temperature of 43.8 °C (110.8 °F).

July 1988: Lowest Recorded Temperature

On July 4, 1988, Bahía Blanca recorded its lowest temperature of −11.8 °C (10.8 °F).

1998: Natural Reserve

Since 1998, the Estuary has been graded and listed as The Natural Reserve of Bahía Blanca, Bahía Falsa and Bahía Verde, including the Islands Zuraitas, Bermejo, Trinidad, Embudo, Wood and smaller ones accounting for an area of 300 square kilometres, by Provincial Law 12101.

2002: FIBA World Championship

In 2002, Emanuel Ginóbili, Juan Ignacio Sánchez and Alejandro Montecchia played the final match FIBA World Championship in Indianapolis, achieving 2nd place.

2003: Archbishop Appointed

Since 2003, Guillermo José Garlatti has served as the Archbishop of Bahía Blanca.

2004: Olympic Gold Medal

In 2004, Emanuel Ginóbili, Juan Ignacio Sánchez and Alejandro Montecchia won gold medals in the Olympic Games Athens.

March 2006: Political Crisis and Mayor's Leave

In March 2006, a local political crisis led to the mayor of Bahía Blanca requesting a leave of absence, which was granted by the city council on March 27, 2006. The mayor was subsequently indicted, and the case proceeded in the local judiciary.

August 2006: Unseating of the Elected Mayor

On August 24, 2006, the city council of Bahía Blanca, for the first time in its history, voted to unseat the elected mayor. With the approval of the supreme court of the Buenos Aires Province, the interim mayor and former president of the city council was appointed to complete his predecessor's term.

2006: Olimpo Relegation

In 2006, Olimpo was relegated from the Argentine first division.

2006: Annual Displays

Up to 2006, the Exposición Nacional de Ganadería e Industria de la Sociedad Rural de Bahía Blanca has held 122 annual displays.

May 2007: Earlier Snowfall

Before the snowfall of July 2009, there was an earlier snowfall in Bahía Blanca in May 2007.

July 2009: Recent Snowfall

The last significant snowfall in Bahía Blanca took place recently in July 2009.

2010: Olimpo Reinstated

In 2010, Olimpo was reinstated in the Argentine first division after relegation in 2006.

October 2022: Services Interrupted

In October 2022, services to Bahía Blanca were interrupted by state-owned Trenes Argentinos after a derailment in Olavarría.

2022: 2022 Census

In 2022, the census recorded Bahía Blanca with a population of 336,574 inhabitants, making it the 4th largest city in the Buenos Aires province and the 16th largest in Argentina by metropolitan population.

2022: Fire at Municipal Library

In 2022, the former French Rosario and Puerto Belgrano Railway station, which had been serving as the municipal library, was destroyed by fire.

January 2024: No Passenger Services

As of January 2024, Bahía Blanca had a total of three railway stations, with no passenger services. The last active station was Bahía Blanca Sud.

March 2025: Flooding in Bahía Blanca

In March 2025, Bahía Blanca and neighboring cities experienced devastating floods due to a 12-hour long rain, with an estimated precipitation of 290 millimetres. The flood led to at least 16 deaths and hundreds of disappearances, prompting a national humanitarian effort. Elon Musk announced that Starlink would offer free Internet services to Bahía Blanca residents for 30 days.