Agustín Ross Cultural Centre Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Agustín Ross Cultural Centre
Casino Agustín Ross
Agustín Ross Cultural Centre in June 2010.
Alternative names	Casino Agustín Ross Edwards
General information
Type	Casino
Architectural style	Similar to Grand Trianon
Location	Pichilemu, Chile
Address	Av. Agustín Ross, in front of the Ross Park
Completed	1905
Inaugurated	1906
Renovated	2009
Owner	Agustín Ross (until the 1930s) Pichilemu Municipality (since the 1930s)
Technical details
Floor count	3
Design and construction
Architect	Agustín Ross Edwards

The Agustín Ross Cultural Centre is a historic building in Pichilemu, Chile. It stands on Agustín Ross Avenue, right across from Ross Park. This building was first known as the Casino Agustín Ross Edwards.

It was built in the late 1800s. In 1906, it became home to Chile's very first casino. The casino closed in 1932. After that, it was used as a hotel until the 1980s. Today, this important building serves as Pichilemu's main cultural centre.

History of the Agustín Ross Centre
Images for kids
See also

History of the Agustín Ross Centre

Building a Dream Resort

The building is named after Agustín Ross Edwards. He was a famous Chilean writer, politician, and minister. Ross came from the powerful Ross Edwards family. This family had started the newspaper El Mercurio years before.

Agustín Ross had traveled a lot in Europe. He wanted to create a similar fancy resort in Chile. In 1885, he bought a place called "La Posada" (which means The Inn). It was a large piece of land with some simple buildings.

The First Casino in Chile

Agustín Ross himself oversaw the building of the old Ross Casino in the late 1800s. This grand building had three floors. It was built using special materials brought in from other countries. It even had the first mail and telegraph service in the area. There was also a large store inside.

On January 20, 1906, something very exciting happened. The first casino in Chile officially opened its doors in this building. The Ross Casino was a popular spot for many years. However, it closed in 1932. This was because a new casino was built in Viña del Mar, and it became the only one allowed to operate.

After the casino closed, the building became a hotel. It was known as the Great Hotel Pichilemu or Hotel Ross. It welcomed guests until the 1980s.

A National Treasure

The old casino building, built in 1905, and its beautiful gardens, started in 1885, are very important to Pichilemu. Because of their historical value, the National Monuments Council declared them a Historic Monument. This happened on February 25, 1988.

Agustín Ross also managed a large family fortune. He used his vision to design a beautiful town. He turned "La Posada" into a fancy hotel. He also built many charming houses, terraces, and stone walls. He even added a balcony facing the beach. Many of the building materials and furniture came from France and England.

Ross also created a large park and forest, covering more than 10 hectares. He helped turn Pichilemu into a popular summer resort. Rich people from Santiago would come to visit. He had also planned to build a dock for the city, but he couldn't finish that project.

Giving Back to the Community

In 1935, Agustín Ross's family made a generous gift. They gave all of Ross's constructions to the Pichilemu Municipality. This included streets, avenues, squares, and seven hectares of forests. It also included the park in front of the hotel, and the terraces. The only condition was that the municipality had to keep them open for everyone to enjoy.

Damage and Restoration

The Cultural Centre faced a big challenge in February 2010. A strong earthquake hit Chile, causing serious damage to the building. The library inside was completely destroyed.

Another earthquake, the 2010 Pichilemu earthquake, also caused structural damage. However, the Mayor of Pichilemu, Roberto Córdova, said that the building could be repaired. Thanks to restoration efforts, the Agustín Ross Cultural Centre is now a vibrant place for culture and learning.

Images for kids

Agustín Ross, around 1915.
The Ross Casino in 1935.
The building around 1910.
An advertisement from 1944 for the Gran Hotel Casino.
The former Agustín Ross Casino in January 2008, during its restoration.
President Michelle Bachelet and Mayor Roberto Córdova at the cultural center's opening in January 2010.
The inauguration ceremony of Governor of Cardenal Caro Teresa Núñez (right) in March 2014.
A sign at the entrance to the Gruta de la Virgen.