The Purian languages, now extinct, were formerly spoken in and around what is now Visconde do Rio Branco.[2]
Visconde do Rio Branco was founded in 1810 and had been called by the name "São João". The little village was growing up till 1839 when it finally was recognized as a true village. At 1881 was elevated to City and subordinate to Ubá (the most industrial city of the micro-region) and it received the name Visconde do Rio Branco.[citation needed]