At the dawn of the 20th century, Governor Bories introduced new regulations, launched major public works to make roads passable, extended telephone and electricity lines, modernized urban infrastructure, promoted hygiene and vaccination campaigns, and oversaw the construction of hospitals and modern sanitation systems. He also strengthened trade, boosted rural property development, livestock farming and industry, reinforced public security, established the Civil Registry and Post Office, improved education with new schools and libraries, and illuminated the Strait of Magellan with numerous lighthouses.
Bories was a tireless promoter of immigration and a pioneer in fostering diplomatic relations with Austria-Hungary, leading to this prestigious honor. Recent research in the Austrian State Archives has uncovered new details about this extraordinary recognition, expanding our understanding of the event and its impact on Chilean history.
Though a brief episode in world history, this award symbolized Vienna’s appreciation for my great-great-grandfather’s dedication to protecting a small colony of around 1,500 inhabitants in Magallanes – a contribution that earned him a lasting place in the Franz Joseph Order.
