History Of Benguet

The area that is now the province of Benguet was originally inhabited by the Ibalois and Kankanaeys. The Spanish did not succeed in conquering Benguet, although they were aware of the Igorot gold mines in the area. The first major Spanish incursion was in 1620 in the La Trinidad Valley. Several gold mines were held but abandoned six years later. It was in the 19th Century that Spanish finally established a presence in the area. Benguet was first created as a district of the new La Union province in 1846 but was separated in 1854. The Americans established civil government in 1900. Benguet became a sub-province of the old Mountain Province in 1908 until 1966. During the 1930s, mining companies setup to work the gold mines in the area. During WWII, Benguet was the scene of fierce battles between the Japanese Imperial Army and Igorot guerrillas and Americans in the days of liberation in 1945.