A village was founded in the fields of ranchers Don Francisco Fern�ndez and Don Francisco Lascano, by decree of 10 February 1876. The estates were situated on what was called until then "Partido de las Tres Islas". Although Don Lascano had a much smaller portion of land, the village took on his name because of the way official papers were signed, and due to the analphabetism of Don Fern�ndez. In 1880 it became part of the newly formed Rocha Department.
On 4 July 1908, its status was elevated to "Villa" (town) by the Act of Ley N� 3.304 and on 3 November 1952 to "Ciudad" (city) by the Act of Ley N� 11.874
