CariocaTextileCompany(JardimBotânico)–1884

The Jardim Botânico and Horto areas were important manufacturing hubs. Thanks to favorable environmental conditions, the region offered abundant water to power the machinery of the textile factories that were established there. The Companhia de Tecidos Carioca was one of them.

Image description: This is an old black-and-white photograph of an industrial factory. The image shows a row of industrial buildings with sloped roofs and evenly spaced windows. On the left, there is a large tree and a sidewalk that stretches toward the buildings. On the right, there is a tall fence separating the factory from a parallel road. In the background, there is a mountain covered with vegetation. At the bottom of the image, the words "ENTRADA DA FABRICA CARIOLA" are written in light-colored letters.

Founded in 1884 on Estrada Dona Catarina (now Rua Pacheco Leão), behind Rua Jardim Botânico, the factory was largely responsible for the settlement of the present-day neighborhood - at the time, part of the Freguesia Nossa Senhora da Gávea.

The occupation of the neighborhood began with the construction of two workers' villages for the employees of the Companhia de Tecidos Carioca, on what was then Chácara do Algodão: one built by the factory itself; and Vila Arthur Sauer, erected by the Companhia de Saneamento -- the owner of the estate.

Image description: This is a black-and-white image, likely an old engraving or photograph. The scene shows an industrial building with several windows arranged horizontally. On the left, there is a lower structure, while on the right, there is a larger and taller structure. The ground in front of the building appears to be a yard or service area, with a few people walking or working. In the background, there is a hill covered with vegetation.

Workers had a well-defined routine: the workday started at 7 a.m. and ran until 4:40 p.m. -- with lunchtime from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. After work, the workers would frequent leisure spaces within the villages themselves, such as the Clube Musical, organized by the residents, who were also responsible for all the other leisure activities: soccer, basketball, parties, games, theater, music, and dance. These activities were encouraged by the employers.

Image description: The image is an old black-and-white photograph. On the left, we see a stadium with people spread across various areas. In the center, there is a soccer field with players in motion. On the right, there is a large crowd of spectators gathered in the stands and around the field. The background shows dense vegetation and some buildings in the distance. At the bottom of the two images, there is legible text mentioning "Carioca Futsal Club Rio - 17-5-91".

Workers' health was the responsibility of Dr. Alberto Ribeiro, who worked exclusively for the factory. Appointments were held during lunch hour. In addition, the factory also provided a store within the village. It was there that workers had access to the food they needed, and the expenses were already deducted from their paychecks. All these aspects made it easier to control the workers' lives and bodies.

In 1920, the Companhia de Tecidos Carioca, along with the workers' villages, was sold to Companhia América Fabril. With the factory's activities ending in 1962, the former workers organized a resistance front against the residents' eviction and the demolition of the villages. This led to a legal dispute between the residents and Companhia América Fabril. After years of struggle, the village was granted heritage protection status by mayor Saturnino Braga, in recognition of the villages' historical importance.

With the heritage listing decreed, the village continued to house its former residents. However, new implications emerged regarding the permanence of these ex-workers: the region underwent a major gentrification process, with rising prices and, gradually, the replacement of the old residents by wealthy families. Today, Jardim Botânico - which began as a working-class neighborhood - is one of the most expensive in Rio de Janeiro.