[1] La Tebaida was founded by Luis Arango Cardona, born in Manizales, Caldas on February 19, 1879.

He was one of the first people to undertake systematic archaeological studies of the indigenous tombs (guacas) in Quindío.

His research led to the publication in 1924 of his two-volume book Recuerdos de la guaquería en el Quindío, the first study of its type in Colombia.

Arango decided to set aside a portion of his farm so that all of the tenants could build their houses in a central location.

He laid out a street plan including parks and the principal plaza, located one block from the main farm house.