The first attempts to settle Flores occurred in the area of Caveira where Willem van der Haegen and his supporters disembarked looking for the mythical Ilhas Cassitérides.

During the early transition between Franciscan and public systems, Father José António Camões, was important in his functions (between 1797 and 1807) exercising his role as the only grammar teacher on the island.

The nucleus of post-secondary education began in October 1959, in the home of the poet Roberto de Mesquita, until it was moved, much later, to the Convent of São Boaventura where it was transformed into a public institution.

The hospital occupied the Convent, after the Pombolino expulsion of the religious orders (in 1834), which was at the time owned by Francisco da Cruz Silva e Reis.

After a campaign, spearheaded by Peixoto Pimentel, part of the convent was demolished and an extension remodeled to serve the hospital, which was re-inaugurated in 1881, the same year that its founder died.

Captain William H. Long and eleven men, after abandoning their ship, survived an adventure of 2,000 nautical miles (3,700 km) along the Gulf Stream to the mouth of Ribeira da Cruz, in Fajã do Conde.

The villa of Santa Cruz, home of the municipal seat, is an urbanized area that includes the historical center, Fazenda d'Alem, Monte, Vales and Ribeira dos Barqueiros.

Due to its central place and the existence of the French Base, historically, Santa Cruz has not experienced the same level of emigration that occurred in other Florense communities during the 20th century.

In addition, hotel and other services, the fishery, automobile repair, civil construction, commerce and restaurant businesses are equal contributors to the local economy.

Largely a dynamic contribution to the society, the Sociedade Filarmónica Dr. Armas da Silveira, initially designated the União Musical Florentina is an example of local culture.

Founded in 1915 by the medic José Jacinto Armas da Silveira, it was continued following its founder's death (1924) to perform music during secular and religious events.