The town was founded on April 18,1838 by the political and military Governor of San Miguel, Colonel Narciso Benítez of Colombian nationality, who had been Simón Bolívar's lieutenant.

An infamous event that occurred in the jurisdiction of the town was the execution of Braulio Carrillo Colina, who had served as president of Costa Rica.

In the report of May 16, 1878 made by Governor Jacinto Aguirre describes a time of rapid progress lasting 30 years, stimulated by the exploitation of the mineral of "Monte Mayor" and the dedication to the trade and cultivation of indigo, but the works were suspended.

of exploitation of the mineral and because of the fall in the price of indigo, cultivation and commercialization were stopped.

[citation needed] The Patron Saint Festivities of Society are celebrated from June 23 to 24 in honor of San Juan Bautista.