Molino Lavagna, Cultural heritage monument in San Carlos, Uruguay
Molino Lavagna is a former flour mill situated along the Maldonado stream in San Carlos, originally powered by flowing water to grind grain into flour. The building displays the industrial architecture typical of late 19th century mills and now stands as a protected monument.
Italian immigrant Ignacio Lavagna established this mill in 1884, drawing on experience from working at the Perdomo Mill to build his own operation. A major fire in 1928 destroyed sections of the structure, which prompted the installation of advanced German equipment, though financial troubles forced closure by 1931.
This mill shaped how the neighborhood developed, supplying flour to local bakeries and creating a hub where farmers and townspeople regularly gathered. Its presence left a lasting mark on how people organized their daily work and commerce.
This site sits on Avenida Jose Enrique Rodo in the Lavagna neighborhood and can be reached via the Lavagna Bridge spanning the Maldonado stream. The location is fairly central within San Carlos, making it accessible from downtown areas nearby.
The building still contains sections of the advanced German machinery installed after the 1928 fire, offering a rare window into the industrial technology that reached South America at that time. These machines represent how international trade brought cutting-edge equipment to remote milling operations.
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