A populated centre was founded here in October 1861 and declared as "Pueblo" (village) by Decree of 26 May 1894. Its status was elevated to "Villa" (town) by the Act of Ley N� 7.257 on 17 August 1920 and then to "Ciudad" (city) by the Act of Ley N� 11.892 on 11 December 1952.
The date of its foundation is considered to be 24 April 1862. This year marked the time when a large number of immigrants, mostly from Switzerland, but with a significant number from Austria, Germany, Italy and France, settled in the area.
The Swiss Colony was established in the mid-nineteenth century. Many Swiss descendants live in this area of the department of Colonia in Uruguay. Nueva Helvecia, Colonia Valdense, La Paz, Rosario, Colonia Miguelete, as well as other cities and towns, are the result of immigration of Swiss, Germans, Austrians, French and Italians to Uruguay. In April 2012, the Swiss Colony is celebrating its 150th anniversary of its founding. Most of the history of the colony is found in Dr. Juan Carlos Wirth's five publications and the detailed resources in his books.
Since its foundation, agriculture has become one of the main sources of sustenance, in particular fruit and dairy products
