The new republics of Chile and Argentina gradually established physical sovereignty over the southern outposts of their territory, but economic development was a long way in the future.

Meanwhile, in Britain, evangelism was in the air, and a succession of missionaries tried to convert the Yaghan canoe people to Christian ways.

In 1869, George Musters explored the interior of the landmass, still home to the nomadic Ona and Tehuelche peoples. In 1879, the small port town of Punta Arenas (founded in 1848) was rebuilding from the ashes of a prison revolt 2 years before. Not until 1885 did Río Gallegos appear on the scene.