Seeking to discover gold in other locations within Paraná, two expeditions set out from Paranaguá—one in 1649 and another in 1651. The results were encouraging, as Ébano Pereira, the leader of both expeditions, recorded the discovery of gold in the plateau’s rivers in a report. The news of gold in these rivers led to the emergence of Arraial Grande, a small settlement located along the Arraial River. During the same period this settlement emerged, several Portuguese individuals became owners of large tracts of land in the area currently occupied by the Municipality. Among them was Father João da Veiga Coutinho, who became the owner of the Águas Bellas and Capocu estates. The Águas Bellas estate boasted an excellent location, as it was intersected by important trails used by the early colonizers. It was on this estate, likely near its headquarters, that the Chapel of Bom Jesus dos Perdões was inaugurated in 1690. The presence of the Catholic Church was vital to the area because, at the time, the Church was part of the administrative process of colonization. With the inauguration of this chapel, the territory of São José gained an authority representing the Portuguese Government. Shortly thereafter, in 1721, the Magistrate (Ouvidor Geral) Raphael Pires Pardinho requested the election of the first authorities for the Parish of São José. On July 16, 1852, Law No. 10 of the Province of São Paulo was enacted, creating the Town (Villa) of São José dos Pinhaes. Its official installation and the solemn swearing-in of the first councilors took place on January 8, 1853. Through State Law No. 259, dated December 27, 1897, this town was elevated to the status of a city. Thus, the seat of the Municipality became the City of São José dos Pinhais.