c activity, centered primarily in the mills . In particular, wheat gained special importance this region being a major producer, said production exported through the port of Constitution to destinations as far away as California ( United States ) in full gold rush, and Australia . Talca knew industries mainly in the areas miller, wine, paper, food, leather and footwear and general manufacturing. Also the financial field achieved notoriety with the creation of the Bank of Talca in 1884. The importance talquina was reflected in an increase of its population, the city only to Santiago, Valpara�so and Concepci�n.
Talca was giving more advanced steps in the cultural and literary endeavor. His first newspaper was The Alpha , in 1844, whose editors were Juan Donoso Cienfuegos Cross, Professor of City Literary Institute, and Toribio Hevia. Although only remained in circulation until 1849, with 246 numbers, was the precedent for many other publications talquinas. Del Liceo de Talca left generations of writers, lawyers and intellectuals, including the noted historian Francisco Antonio Encina .
Twentieth Century
In 1928 a strong earthquake destroyed large part (approximately 75%) of the city so that bears his name ( Talca earthquake ). It also caused considerable damage to nearby cities and tsunami Curic� higher Constitution. The quake led to a major change in the rules of urban planning at the time of Chile, which were enhanced by the earthquake of Chill�n, eleven years later, which coincided with the founding of the CORFO . This factor, coupled with the Great Depression , excessive centralization of political and economic activity in Santiago, emigration to the very next capital (which was connected by a railway), diminished the importance of Talca in the national context and the strength of its industry.
Former Cathedral of the city destroyed by the 1906 earthquake
Cathedral in demolition
Corner 1 South and 1
