[4] The town was created in 1769 and is noted for its Spanish era-built St. Julian of Cuenca church located atop the hill facing the municipal square, and the national historical landmark Janiuay Cemetery.
In the summer of 1578, the natives of Tala-ugis trudged up from the coast to establish a settlement northward in the interior along Suage River.
[6] The first settlers were led by families of Gamuk, Hutikon, Uganet and Pagdakton, who settled themselves in what is currently known as barangays Matag-ub, Danao, Yabon and Quipot.
The Spanish governor Francisco Bayot de Ocampo recommended to the Principalía to transfer the seat of government, and in the following year (1770), the settlements were strengthened in their administration in what they called "Janiuay".
The Suage river bridge was once witness to fierce fighting between Japanese Imperial forces and the combined Filipino and American troops including the recognized Ilonggo guerrilla fighters.
Santo Tomas (Pakol to locals) is bounded by Madong in the east, Mangil in the north-east and Danao in the south west.
Traces of sweet mango farms are starting to gain roots especially close by the public elementary school.
General topography is flat rice fields on the east and hill-valley-hill dotted by bamboos, coffee, mango, banana, coconuts and other fruit tree crops in the remaining areas.
Danao-Santo Tomas Elementary School established during the 1950s is located on the highest hill of the surrounding barangays and view of rice fields in the east is impressive especially in the morning.
Moya was forced to move to adjacent Pueblo Yabon for fear on his life on errant moros and the locales.
The moros and the locales set camp in the forest of Danao away from forced labor edict from Spanish Principalia and administered by priests of Poblacion Janiuay.
General topography is flat rice fields on the east and hill-valley-hill dotted by bamboos, coffee, mango, banana, coconuts and other fruit tree crops in the remaining areas.
It is believed that the well was an exploratory bore hole to determine and analyze the mineral content of the sub-surface of the surrounding area.
Janiuay can be accessed from all directions with good paved concrete and asphalt road infrastructures from the east, north and south.
Communication is generally available with nationwide carriers such as PLDT, Globelines and Smart competing with local and aging analog Pantelco.
The largest bell crashed down during the relocation and suffered a crack 18 inches (460 mm) in length from its lip upwards.
It was built much later, in 1870, and is also walled with ancient sandstone and bricks brought from distant locale some 30 km away in what is now known as the town of Dingle.
Janiuay is also home to several heritage mini sugar mills owned by landed Spanish mestizos and Swiss descent.
Wrought steel rotary crushers driven by water buffaloes or carabaos extract sugar from canes and cooked in large vat until brown and solid.