SOCIEDAD ANONIMA,
MERCANTIL Y PASTORIL,
WATSON Y GODORNIZ
CIA. LDA.
Roy John Watson, born on August 12, 1880, in Freshfield, Lancashire, England, exhibited a restless and adventurous spirit from a young age.
After completing his studies in Bristol, he worked for the Western Railway, but the stable life did not satisfy him. In 1898, at just 18 years old, he decided to move to Libreville, Africa, where he worked for a Liverpool-based company in the construction of railroads. However, the harsh climate conditions took a toll on his health, and two years later, he returned to England.
The coast of San Julián crowded with wool bales.
The promise of opportunities in the Argentine Patagonia caught his interest. Hearing stories from his fellow countrymen about the prosperity in that region, Watson decided to set sail for Punta Arenas in 1900. There, he met Roberto Patterson and Donald Munro, who convinced him to move to San Julián. In June of that same year, the three men arrived together in this town.
George, Will, and Jim Patterson standing behind Elisabeth Fraser, Sara Murray de Fraser, her son George, and Margaret Fraser, with Roy John Watson seated; at the 'Mata Grande' ranch.
In San Julián, Watson began working at the 'Mata Grande' ranch owned by the Patterson brothers. However, rural life failed to hold his interest for long.
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After two years, he moved to Buenos Aires, where he secured representation for a Liverpool firm to purchase sheepskins in Patagonia. This new responsibility led him to travel regularly between Punta Arenas and Puerto Deseado.
Interior of the general store 'La Mercantil,' Río Gallegos.
In 1905, Watson was hired as an accountant by the Compañía Mercantil y Pastoril (La Mercantil), a commercial house in Río Gallegos with headquarters in Santa Cruz. Thanks to his dedication and skills, he quickly rose to the position of manager.
Comercio "Watson y Gordoniz" de Puerto Santa Cruz, 1916.
In 1907, Roy Watson formed a partnership with Joaquín Gordoniz, an entrepreneur from Mendoza. Together, they founded the company Watson y Gordoniz Cía. Ltda., establishing themselves in Santa Cruz as commission agents and buyers of local products.
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The company grew rapidly, opening branches in Piedra Buena and San Julián, becoming one of the most important commercial houses in the region.
Aerial photograph of San Julián, highlighting the Watson and Gordoniz building.
The construction of the Watson and Gordoniz building in San Julián began shortly thereafter.
This impressive building stood out for its European style in the middle of Patagonia, with over 15 meters of facade, a marble-floored entrance hall, two interior levels, a basement, and an ostentatious staircase adorned with plaster moldings in the main room.
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In 1935, after decades of success, Roy Watson and Joaquín Gordoniz decided to part ways and focus on their respective rural activities. Watson retired to manage his "Rincón Grande" estate, located on the right bank of the Santa Cruz River, a property he had begun developing in 1907.
Photograph of the building's facade in the 1930s, showing the fuel pump at the Watson and Gordoniz building.
​A mediados de la década del 30, tras décadas de éxito, Roy Watson y Joaquín Gordoniz decidieron separarse y dedicarse a sus respectivas actividades rurales. Watson se retiró para gestionar su estancia "Rincón Grande", ubicada sobre la margen derecha del río Santa Cruz, una propiedad que había comenzado a desarrollar en 1907.
On the building's facade, the scars left by the original letters that Watson and Gordoniz placed as a mark of their company can still be seen.
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The same sign design can be seen in the photograph of the Watson and Gordoniz store in Puerto Santa Cruz.