The modern history of Redenção da Serra goes back to the start of the nineteenth century. As the gold mines of Minas Gerais became depleted the focus of the Brazilian economy shifted towards the Paraíba Valley and the production of coffee. The growth of the coffee monoculture drove rapid economic growth, leading to expansion and prosperity for a number of urban centers such as Taubaté, Pindamonhangaba, Guaratinguetá, Lorena and Bananal.