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HomeHow Everything Began
How Everything Began
Timelines and maps that show a little of the process of São João del-Rei's emergence, its relevance and its history.

Occupation of the São João del-Rei region

Timeline from the beginning of the occupation of the territory of the São João del-Rei region until the 19th century.

Untill the 17th century

Indigenous occupation

Due to historical erasures, forced dispersal, and the genocide of indigenous peoples, there are scant details about the original inhabitants of the region now known as São João del-Rei. Evidence of scavenger and gatherer groups has been discovered in Serra do Lenheiro (Lenheiro Mountain Range), where cave paintings, dating back approximately 6,000 to 9,000 years, have been found. Research also indicates the presence of Cataguás (or Cataguases) and Puris indigenous communities between Rio Grande, Rio das Mortes Valley, and headwaters of Rio Paraopeba. However, there is no documentation on the communities in the region prior to colonization

1674

1st Expedition to theSertão of Minas Gerais

During colonization, the Portuguese Crown sought to occupy and expand its domain in Brazilian territory. Thus, it financed "bandeirante" troops, who "blazed trails" and explored the interiors in search of gold, silver, and precious stones. The expeditions, known as "bandeiras", would invade indigenous lands and settle on them, giving origin to small villages. The first expedition into the interior of Minas Gerais set out from São Paulo in 1674, led by Fernão Dias, and reached the territory now known as Ibituruna, which was emancipated from São João del-Rei in 1962.

1701

Porto Real da Passagem

The Rio das Mortes Valley was selected by bandeirante Tomé Portes del-Rei as the location to establish the region's first settlement, the Arraial of Rio das Mortes. As there were many bandeirante expeditions passing through, he was allowed to collect a kind of toll, using a ferry to facilitate the crossing of the river. This led to the area being known as "Porto Real da Passagem" — roughly translated as "Royal Port of Crossing". Groups of bandeirantes and gold seekers settled in the vicinity and soon started to build a primitive chapel, which was never completed.

1704

Gold is Discovered!

Bandeirante and clerk Lourenço da Costa discovered alluvial gold on the left bank of what was later named Ribeirão São Francisco Xavier. Following the discovery, "arraiais" — small, temporary, makeshift villages — began to emerge: Arraial Velho de Santo Antônio (now Tiradentes), Arraial do Córrego (Santa Cruz de Minas), Arraial da Ponta do Morro (near Prados) and Arraial Novo de Nossa Senhora do Pilar (downtown São João del-Rei). Houses and new chapels were built, initiating urban occupation of the area. Arraial do Rio das Mortes was abandoned, and the population shifted towards the area around what is now Serra do Lenheiro.

1714

From Small Village to Judicial District Seat

An "arraial" is a temporary and makeshift village. In 1713, Arraial of Nossa Senhora do Pilar was elevated to the status of village, becoming Vila de São João del-Rei. The following year, the area, located in what was then the captaincy of São Paulo and Minas de Ouro, was designated as the Judicial District Seat (Comarca) of Rio das Mortes. The term "comarca" is primarily used in Spain, Portugal, and some Latin American countries to denote a specific judicial or administrative district. Similar to what might be called a "county" or "judicial district" in English-speaking countries, a comarca has clearly defined boundaries for administrative and legal purposes and is typically overseen by a court with jurisdiction over the region. In addition to São João del-Rei, the district encompassed the territories of what are now the cities of Conselheiro Lafaiete, Juiz de Fora, Formiga, and Pouso Alegre, among others

1749

The Village Aims to Become a City

In March 1749, the Town Council of São João del-Rei submitted a request to King Dom João V, seeking elevation of their community to the status of a city. The king passed away in July 1750 before responding to the petition. Due to the communication challenges of the era, the village learned of King Dom João V's death nearly six months later. It wasn't until 1751 that a new petition was sent, this time to Dom José I, who, like his predecessor, did not respond to the request.

1750 until 1808

The Granary of Minas Gerais

By the mid-18th century, the village experienced rapid economic and population growth, driven by the gold rush in the region. By 1750, São João del-Rei's population had surged to about 3,000, spurred by the gold rush. This boom, however, caused food shortages and price hikes throughout the captaincy. To cope, the region developed subsistence farming and livestock activities, partly relying on enslaved labor. From 1750 to 1808, local food production significantly flourished, earning the region the nickname "Granary of Minas Gerais" for its pivotal role in feeding the population during the mining frenzy.

1750

The Village Becomes a Commercial Hub

The village emerged as a crucial node within the district’s economic, political, and administrative network, serving as a pivotal link among major trading routes. It facilitated the transport of goods, metals, and precious stones along the Picadas de Goiás and the Caminho Velho (Old Road). By the late 18th century, to make transport of goods easier, a flatter, less winding path was established, and it became known as Caminho Novo (New Road). This route, along with Caminho Velho, is now part of the Estrada Real tourist route, a name that wasn't used back then.

1780

Gold Depletion and Population Surge

When gold exploitation began to decline, the entire captaincy began to face economic problems. The Judicial District of Rio das Mortes, however, was not as affected as the others, as it had become a hub for the production and distribution of goods and food. During that period, São João del-Rei was already renowned for its economic dynamism, serving as a vital trading post between Minas Gerais and the royal court in Rio de Janeiro. Consequently, it attracted significant local migration, leading to a remarkable population surge: from 82,781 inhabitants to 213,617 inhabitants between 1776 and 1820.

1838

São João del-Rei Becomes a City

On March 6, 1838, the economic progress of São João del-Rei culminated in the village being elevated to the status of city through Law No. 93. At that time, the city boasted approximately 1,600 houses, spread across 24 streets and 10 squares. Unlike other mining villages of the era, São João del-Rei had already significantly developed its commercial activities. Those who traversed the streets of the burgeoning city encountered shops housed in grand buildings, offering a wide array of merchandise: both locally produced goods and imports.

1881

Inauguration of EFOM

On August 28, Dom Pedro II and the entire imperial entourage traveled to São João del-Rei to inaugurate the initial branch of Estrada de Ferro Oeste de Minas (Western Minas Railway, EFOM) in the city. The inaugural line of EFOM departed from Sítio Station, located in the current city of Antônio Carlos (MG), and extended to São João del-Rei. In Sítio, it was connected to the Estrada de Ferro Central do Brasil (Central do Brasil Railway, EFCB), which departed from Rio de Janeiro. This connection significantly enhanced the region's economy, fostering even greater dynamism by facilitating transportation of food products, raw materials, and other goods.

1850 until 1885

Abolitionist Laws

The social, economic, and political context of the late 19th century led to the enactment of laws such as the Eusébio de Queirós Law in 1850, which prohibited the slave trade; the Free Womb Law of 1871; and the Law of the Sexagenarians in 1885. Abolitionist laws brought about a series of changes in social and labor relations in towns and cities. In this sense, the transition from enslaved labor to a wage system created challenges for large landowners, triggering a crisis in the agricultural sector.

1886

Crisis and Decline in Coffee Prices

The agricultural crisis was exacerbated by a decline in international coffee prices, which directly impacted the Brazilian economy, which was heavily reliant on this product at the time. The situation worsened further with a shortage of credit for farmers, ultimately leading to a banking crisis. During that era, the convergence of a crisis and the advent of the railway in São João del-Rei prompted a significant overhaul of its economy, fostering the growth of the industrial sector.

1888

Abolition Law

On May 13, 1888, the signing of "Lei Áurea" (Golden Law) guaranteed the freedom of enslaved individuals in Brazil. However, due to the lack of accompanying social inclusion measures, integration of Black individuals into the labor market faced obstacles, leading to urban segregation and exacerbating racial discrimination. Since 1860, São João del-Rei experienced a substantial forced relocation of enslaved individuals to coffee-growing regions. Nonetheless, nascent industry saw a significant presence of Black and mixed-race individuals, whether freed or born free, working in various capacities, including agricultural labor in the fields or providing essential services.

são João in the map

Minas Gerais Region

Credit unknown, 18th century. World Digital Library Collection.

Chorographic Map of the Province of Minas Gerais

Credit Frederico Wagner, 1855. Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Collection.

Map of the Captaincy of Minas Gerais

Credit unknown, 1810. Brazilian National Library Collection.

Part of the new map of the Captaincy of Minas Gerais

Credit Wilhelm Ludwig von Eschwege, 1822. Brazilian National Library Collection.

Província de Minas Gerais: segundo projecto de nova divisão do Império pelo deputado Cruz Machad

Credit José Ribeiro da Fonseca Silvares, 1873. Brazilian National Library Collection.

Minas Gerais Captaincy Map: Judicial District Boundaries

Contributed by José Joaquim da Rocha, 1778. Brazilian National Library Collection.

Map of the Roads of the State of Minas Gerais, published during Washington Luís's presidential term

Credit: Federal Inspectorate of Roads Brazil, 1928. Brazilian National Library Collection.

Mappa da provincia de Minas Gerais Levantado pelo Coronel E. G. Barão d'Eschwege

Credit: Wilhelm Ludwig von Eschwege, 1826. Benedicto Ottoni Collection. Brazilian National Library Collection.

State of Minas Gerais: cartogram depicting the railway network, highways, national telegraph lines, and river navigation routes.

Credit: General Statistics Directorate, October 1930. Brazilian National Archive Collection.

Atlas of the State of Minas Gerais

Credit: Geographic Commission of Minas Gerais, 1895-1899. Brazilian National Archive Collection.

General plan of Central do Brasil Railway.

Credit: Government of the State of Rio de Janeiro, 1890. Brazilian National Archive Collection.

Map of São João del-Rei, 18th century

Crédit: Geraldo Guimaraes, São João del-Rei: Século XVIII – História sumária (São João del-Rei: 18th Century – A Concise History), 1996

Map of Brazil’s Railway Network

General Administration of the Commission for the Study and Construction of Railways, 1920. Collection Acervo Library of Congress, The United States and Brazil: Expanding Frontiers, Comparing Cultures. 

20th century timeline

Timeline describing events related to the operation of the São João del-Rei railroad in the 20th century

1920

EFOM Headquarters Relocated to Belo Horizonte

After years of operation and network expansion, EFOM moved its headquarters from São João del-Rei to Belo Horizonte, setting up near the current Praça Sete. This relocation had a significant impact on the São João del-Rei community, particularly for those involved in the railway sector.

1931

EFOM Discontinuation

In January 1931, EFOM ceased to be a federal entity. It was leased by the Minas Gerais state government, becoming part of Minas Rail Netwrok (RMV).

1931

Transition to RMV–West

The EFOM operation line was transformed into RMV–Oeste (Minas Rail Network–West) and combined with the former South Minas Network by the Minas Gerais State government, creating RMV–South, which served the southern region of Minas Gerais.

1938

Unification of RMV

Decree-Law No. 132, dated September 23, 1938, unified the South and West divisions of RMV to centralize administrative activities.

1953

Juscelino Kubitschek Returns RMV to Federal Control

When Juscelino Kubitschek was elected governor of Minas Gerais, he negotiated with President Getúlio Vargas to return RMV to federal control, placing it under the Ministry of Transportation and Public Works starting in 1953.

1957

Creation of RFFSA

During his term as president, Juscelino Kubitschek created Rede Ferroviária Federal S.A. (Federal Railway Network Public Company, RFFSA). by integrating various national railway lines. The intention was for RFFSA to become a publicly traded company with the government holding a 51% stake, but that never happened.

1975-1984

Construction of Itaipu Dam

The construction of Itaipu Hydroelectric Plant began after extensive planning, creating a vast demand for labor and building materials. Railways, particularly for cement transportation, played a crucial role in meeting this demand. The Barroso cement factory, serviced by EFOM, was a key supplier of construction materials for the Itaipu project.

1981

EFOM Centenary

On August 28, 1981, the 100th anniversary of EFOM's inauguration was celebrated. The festivities included the inauguration of the Railway Museum and Railwaymen's Square in São João del-Rei.

1982-1983

Deactivation of the Antônio Carlos to Aureliano Mourão Line

Due to a decrease in railway operations, several stations and branches had become obsolete. In 1983, the line that connected São João del-Rei to Antônio Carlos and Aureliano Mourão via Avenida Leite de Castro was deactivated.

1984

Launch of an Exclusively Tourist Train

In 1984, all sections from Aureliano Mourão to São João del-Rei and from Antônio Carlos to Tiradentes were discontinued, except for the segment from São João del-Rei to Tiradentes. This section was recognized as a cultural asset, justifying its continued operation as a tourist attraction.

1989

Heritage Listing by IPHAN

After continuous threats to cultural heritage, popular advocacy led to the heritage designation of the São João Railway Complex by the Brazilian National Historical and Artistic Heritage Institute (IPHAN). The complex was recorded as a significant example of a transport mode important to the nation’s history.

1992

Privatization program

In 1992, then-president Fernando Collor de Mello initiated a privatization program that encompassed the Railway Network, endangering EFOM’s existence.

1996

Railroad Auctioned

During the privatization process, railway networks were segmented into regions and auctioned to private operators. As a result, Ferrovia Centro-Atlântica S.A (Central Atlantic Railway Company, FCA) took over certain lines in the states of Bahia, Minas Gerais, Goiás, Espírito Santo, São Paulo, and Rio de Janeiro. The remnants of EFOM were left in a sort of legal limbo, operated by RFFSA but with equipment "borrowed" from FCA.

2001

Vale Group Signs Railway Usage Agreement

In 2001, FCA S.A., which had been part of the Vale Group since 1999, signed a Precarious Use Agreement for operating the tourist train in São João del-Rei.

2011

FCA becomes VLI

In May 2011, VLI was founded and incorporated Ferrovia Centro-Atlântica S.A., or FCA S.A., as a private capital company focused on railway transport and logistics.

2024

Launch of São João del-Rei Memory Station!

In June 2024, the Memory Station program was inaugurated at the São João del-Rei Station as a venue dedicated to preserving railway heritage. This initiative, led by VLI Logística and supported by IPHAN, was executed by Agência de Iniciativas Cidadãs (Agency for Citizen Initiatives, AIC).

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