The first document with references to Alcorcón dates back to the Medieval Age and is dated 28th July 1208, referring to the “Cañada de Alcorcón” [Drovers’ Road] as a roadway for sheep, referring to the place where this road is located, serving as a boundary for the Madrid Council.
During the reign of Fernando III, the boundaries of the Madrid Council were better defined including three “Sexmos” [administrative, territorial divisions] and rural compartments: Aravaca, Vallecas and Villaverde. Alcorcón was included in the Aravaca Sexmo.
The town was handed over to Pedro de Mendoza in 1383 before passing into Royal hands later on.
In 1485, during the reign of Spain’s Catholic Monarchs, the municipal districts of Alcorcón and Móstoles were divided. The boundaries between the jurisdiction of Madrid and Toledo were also defined in 1496 (Alcorcón fell under the jurisdiction of Madrid, and Móstoles under the jurisdiction of Toledo).
During the Golden Age of Spanish literature, Alcorcón is mentioned in several pieces of work, namely “La Tarasca del Alcorcón” [The Monster of Alcorcón] and “El Alcalde de Alcorcón” [The Mayor of Alcorcón].
Before undergoing development in the 1960’s, agriculture was the main industry supplying Madrid, and also production of ceramics made from the clayey soil, with local pottery enjoying fame.
The population of Alcorcón underwent significant growth in the 1970's owing to the large number of migrants arriving from other regions. Alcorcón underwent enormous industrial development throughout the 20th century, largely due to its proximity to the capital.
