San Jos� de Maipo is founded as Villa by order of Ambrosio O'Higgins in 1792. The future Governor of Chile and Viceroy of Peru considered necessary to give the quality of Villa as a way to support the mining operations that occurred in the area of San Pedro Nolasco.
During the nineteenth century the area is the scene of several important events for the independence of Chile, since its close communication with Argentina , the passage of Portillo was used by a column of the Army of the Andes , by Captain Jose Leon Lemos , managing to beat a retreat to guard San Gabriel realistic. Achieved their goal of diverting troops and set and prevent Marco del Pont move north, to prevent the crossing of the main army patriot in Putaendo. Later he joined the main army, commanded by General San Martin . At the end of s. XIX begins mineral exploitation in the area.
During the s. XX , the commune becomes very important to the city of Santiago, since it is built the first hydroelectric plant in the area ( the Maitenes ) plus built an aqueduct that supplies drinking water to the city from the glacial mountain range. It also built a railroad, narrow gauge (or mountain), from High Bridge to the volcano, which you can still see a tunnel and bridges built for this purpose.
For the purity of its air, and its altitude above sea level, was built a hospital specializing in respiratory patients from all over India, mainly to relieve Tuberculosis , incurable and fatal disease during that time (early s. XX). This hospital is now abandoned.
Towards the end of the century becomes a development center for ecotourism , with its mighty river very suitable for practicing rafting
