At the time of the discovery of Chile by Diego de Almagro in 1536 this area was occupied by the Diaguita people.

This was the first place where the Spaniards took possession of land.

On December 8, 1744, Francisco Cortés Cartavio y Roldán founded San Francisco de la Selva, now Copiapó. On February 3, 1745 the city’s town council was established and the first mayor was Felipe Mercado.

Later, in 1832, with the discovery of the Chañarcillo silver mine by Juan Godoy, the city and the neighboring areas began to flourish economically.

As a result buildings began to spring up, both for the development, evolution and commercialization of mining, and for the comfort of those who had sufficient economic means.