 The original name was changed in 1861 to Villa Mercedes by decision of the residents, who had adopted the Virgin of Mercy ("Virgen de las Mercedes") as their patron.Villa Mercedes grew quickly after a railway line from Villa María on the Central Argentine line between Rosario and Córdoba, reached the town in 1875.Built by the State-owned company Ferrocarril Andino, the line was extended to San Juan in 1885 via San Luis and Mendoza.