Itapetininga

<-- General information : Just like many counties of the interior of the state of Sao Paulo, Itapetininga also developed along with the "tropeirismo" (Trooping). The place was a rest point of the cattle dealers, who were mounting groups and villages for the landing, before they travel towards the South. The first nucleus of cattle dealers in the region of Itapetininga appeared in 1,724, when it was discovered that the pasture in the region was abundant and the land was fertile for planting. To these factors there was added up the distance to the Sorocaba town - 12 leagues - that was corresponding to a journey of a troop. About 1,760, a group of Portugueses, led by Domingos José Vieira, left the first nucleus (today, district of Porto) and formed another, in a high place and surrounded by two streams.

At this time there was an argument between two nucleuses that wanted to be elevated to the condition of town. The results: in 17 of April of 1,770, Simão Barbosa Franco was nominated to establish and administering the new village, and so was left to him the choice of the principal nucleus. Historians tell that a "marching" mule, offered as a present to Simão Barbosa Franco, guaranteed the victory to Domingos José Vieira. The town of Our Lady of the Pleasures of Itapetininga was officially created in 1,770 November,5th , when a solemn mass was celebrated by the vicar of the new parish, Priest Inácio of Araújo Ferreira. It is in this date that was agreed to commemorate the anniversary of the county.

Besides Simão Barbosa Franco and Domingos José Vieira, an Itu town citizen. Salvador de Oliveira Leme (-nicknamed Sarutayá )- has been included among the historical founders of the county, since he was the second captain-mor of Itapetininga (the first one was Domingos José Vieira). The emancipation of the Town of Itapetininga happened in 1,852, through the Law nº 11, in 1,852, July, the 7th. The law granted judicial autonomy, thus creating to judicature of Itapetininga. The town, however, only became a county, in fact, in 1,855,March, 13th, with the name of Itapetininga.