The city is home to an industrial complex and a major commercial terminal for agricultural exports (cereals, vegetable oils, etc.

The industrial and agricultural development, secondary to the swift recovery from the Argentine economic crisis of the late 1990s, is however an important source of pollution.

The acknowledged founder of the town was Guillermo Kirk, a Scottish immigrant that came to Argentina in 1866 and became a farmer, working mainly in cereal crops.

In 1888 Kirk sent a letter to the provincial governor proposing this idea, calling the town Linda Vista ("Nice View") and attaching a plan.

The current name is an homage to General José de San Martín, leader of the Argentine War of Independence from Spain and Liberator of several other South American countries.