It arises at the end of the Great War in order to consolidate the borders with Brazil, with the name of San Eugenio del Cuareim (12/09/1852), choosing as best site located on the banks of the River Cuareim opposite the Villa San Juan Bautista on the other side of the river, which was a military settlement that was then transformed into what is today the city of Quaraí.
In 1915 it passes to the category of city with the name of Artigas, capital of the department with the same name, in honor of the Uruguayan national hero Jose Gervasio Artigas.