ABSTRACT
In 1740, Jerônimo de Ornelas from Portugal received the definitive title to the lands, and moved to the property with his whole family, relatives and employees, and in 1772 the settlement was officially founded and received the name of Our Lady Mother of God of Porto Alegre. In 1773 the central government of Brazil, as part of the Kingdom of Portugal, made Porto Alegre the capital city of Rio Grande do Sul. Urbanisation began and the main buildings were erected. Between 1860 and 1886 the city grew faster as industry developed. During this period several improvements occurred, such as the inauguration of the Water-works Company to supply drinking water to the whole population, inauguration of public transport, the telegraph station, the City Council Building, Public Library and São Pedro Psychiatric Hospital, as well as the Telephone Union. The Republic was proclaimed in Brazil in 1889, and enthusiastically received by the inhabitants of Porto Alegre.
