In Argentina, many rural towns grew around railway stations and were mainly named after early settlers. Most towns thrived in the first half of the 20th century and started to decline when rail lines were shut down and services stopped.

Nowadays, although agriculture is still their mainstay, tourism plays a very important role in the local economy as well. City dwellers come to these towns for the day to eat great food, cleanse their lungs with fresh air and relax away from the hustle and bustle of big cities.

Uribelarrea is located about 120 kilometres southwest of the city of Buenos Aires. It was founded in 1890 by Miguel Nemesio de Uribelarrea. The disused train station is now the home of the local police .

A typical construction in Uribelarrea

A 19th century home. The Spanish-influenced homes were built around a patio and water well.

The old railway station at Capilla del Señor (Province of Buenos Aires)

Horses and windmills: a bucolic scene in Carlos Keen (Province of Buenos Aires)

All photos by Ana Astri-O’Reilly

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About the author

Ana Astri-O’Reilly is from Argentina, where she lived until five years ago. She currently lives in Dallas, USA with her British husband, but they move a lot. Previously a translator and English and Spanish teacher, Ana first started writing to share her experiences and adventures with friends and family. She speaks Spanish, English and a smattering of Portuguese.