The settlement was founded on 28 May 1883 by Dardo Rocha, and named in honour of Don Celestino Vidal, a hero of the Argentine War of Independence.

Its primitive inhabitants called it as "Arbolito" (little tree), a name taken from the old station of the Southern Railroad.

It is connected towards the north with Buenos Aires and with Mar del Plata towards the south.

Long-distance buses arrive at the city center every day coming from Capital Federal and the metropolitan region.

The city has natural gas services, network electricity, sewers, running water, local radio and local cable TV, satellite TV, an office from Banco de la Provincia de Buenos Aires, hotel, restaurants, taxis, social and sport clubs, schools (all the levels), library, hospital, fire department, police station, post office, delegations from the main entities according to the national and regional government as well as a variety of intermediate institutions.