In 1867, when this avenue was still a dirt track, it was named El Camino del Ministro Inglés (English Minister's Road), because the English diplomat Henry Southern used it to go downtown from the country house where he lived with his family.
Another decree, dictated on May 31, 1974, by the government of Juan Perón, stated that Canning Avenue changed its name into the present one as a tribute to Raúl Scalabrini Ortiz, Argentinejournalist, nationalist writer and essayist.
Two years later, during the military dictatorship, the name of this avenue was changed again into Canning Avenue. Ultimately, with the return of democracy, Canning was again renamed to Raúl Scalabrini Ortiz, by a December 29, 1985, ordinance.
Transportation
The Buenos Aires Metro has two stations that serve Avenida Scalabrini Ortiz; stations Scalabrini Ortiz on Line in Palermo, and, 2.7 km (1.7 mi) away, Malabia (also named for Canning until 1985) on Line, which is located 100 metres (110 yd) from the intersection with Avenida Corrientes in Villa Crespo.