The town's main landmark is the San Juan Bautista Parish and the municipality contains the remains of colonial era haciendas.

The municipality lies on an old lava flow from the nearby La Malinche Volcano, which provides its volcanic soil, but because of the destruction of forests and overgrazing, erosion is a significant problem.

[1] Its main landmark is the San Juan Bautista Parish, originally built in the 17th century, named after the patron saint of John the Baptist.

Of the original structure, only the side chapel dedicated to Christ, the octagonal cupola and a posterior building survive.

[2][3] Opposite the plaza from the church is the city hall (municipal palace) which maintains some of its original construction with most modifications made to the interior, with new walls and modern classroom.

[7][9] The most important economic activity remains agriculture and livestock production, also the largest employer, followed by commerce and then industry.

By the 14th century, the last waves of Otomi migration came to the area, fleeing the rising Aztec Empire in the Valleys of Mexico and Toluca.

The Otomis managed to remain relatively dominant in the Ixtenco /Huamantla area, but as vassals of the Tlaxcallan dominion, receiving land in exchange for military service.

[5][6][7] These same Otomi people were some of the first to fight Hernán Cortés’ initial incursion into central Mexico, and after defeat, allied with the Spanish to conquer the Aztecs .

[1][18] Because of Tlaxcala's role in the conquest of the Aztec Empire, the Otomi of Ixtenco were able to avoid the establishment of encomiendas and some of the worst of Spanish abuse, although studies of human remains from that time indicated that the people still suffered from overwork and malnutrition.

One instance of this in Ixtenco was the case of Juan Coátl and his followers in 1665, who worshipped in a mountain cave which contained a spring.

For the indigenous of the area, Coátl was a priest and the mountain sacred, intercessing for the inhabitants of Ixtenco and Huamantla for good crops and other favors.

[7] These indigenous formed their own community in Ixtenco in 1681 called San Pedro Cuautla, just outside the main town, accounting for most of the population.

[1][18] In the late colonial period, the town and area around it had disputes with neighbors over the use of regional natural resources, which had to be resolved by province authorities.

In 1910, this leader urged an armed uprising in San Bernardino Contla but was countered by an order from Aquiles Serdan in Puebla.

[20] In the 20th century, some industry came to Ixtenco but the major change was the area becoming a bedroom community for those working in Huamantla.