It was founded on 12 September 1852 by Don Carlos Catal� under the name "San Eugenio del Cuareim", by the Act of Ley N� 297, and on 5 September 1884, it became capital of the department by the Act of Ley N� 1.757. It was renamed to "Artigas" and its status was elevated from "Villa" (town) to "Ciudad" (city) on 31 August 1915 by the Act of Ley N� 5.330
