Created by prospectors who arrived in the region in search of quartz, which runs in deep veins under the area, São Jorge was important in the 1950 and 1960s because of its crystal mines.

[citation needed] One of the most visited sites is the Bus Station Waterfall (Cachoeira da Rodoviária), named so because it was formerly the location where miners' buses arrived and left.

[citation needed] São Jorge was formerly known as the Baixa district of Alto Paraíso, but was renamed in honor of St. George as the area developed.

An image of the saint was brought from São Paulo for the chapel built by the miners, and the village holds an annual celebration on April 23, the feast day of St.

[2] Today São Jorge lives off the small number of tourists who visit the Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park.