Founding of Puerto Montt in the Reloncaví Sound, Chile

Background. Puerto Montt was founded as late as 1853 during the German colonization of southern Chile. Government-sponsored immigration from Germany starting in 1848 populated the Reloncaví Sound area and integrated it politically with the rest of the country. The city is located at the northern end of the Reloncaví Sound in the Llanquihue Province, Los Lagos Region, and soon outgrew older neighboring cities through its strategic position at the southern end of the Chilean Central Valley, serving as a gateway city into the Chiloé Archipelago, the Llanquihue and Nahuel Huapi lakes, and Western Patagonia.

Preparation and Leadership. The expedition was initially entrusted to German naturalist Bernardo Philippi. After his death in 1851, Vicente Pérez Rosales assumed his duties. By late September, Rosales began clearing trees in the Reloncaví Sound using local woodsmen from Huar, Maillen, Huelmo, and Calbuco. This preparatory work preceded the formal establishment of the city in early 1853.

Naming and Political Context. The city was named in honor of Manuel Montt, President of Chile between 1851 and 1861. Montt set in motion the German immigration that populated the region. His election to the presidency in 1851 was followed by the Revolution of 1851, an armed liberal revolt that was quickly subdued.