Santiago

Municipalities and Subdivisions

Santiago

Pedro García

Baitoa (2014)

La Canela

San Francisco de Jacagua

Hato del Yaque

Villa Bisonó (1961)

Jánico (1881)

Licey al Medio

San José de las Matas (founded 1810)

Tamboril (1900)

Villa González (1915)

Puñal (1937)

Sabana Iglesia (1881)

History

Early History and Foundation

A fort known as Santiago was founded in 1495 on the banks of the Río Yaque del Norte erected under the orders of the admiral Cristobal Colon. For an unknown reason the settlement was moved in 1504 by governor Nicolás de Ovando to the rural community of San Francisco de Jacagua. Knights from the initial settlement of la Isabela populate the new settlement and tradition holds this is when the city became known as Santiago de los Treinta Caballeros.

On July 7, 1508 Queen Juana I granted Santiago the title of Villa and a noble coat of arms. The Jacagua settlement was destroyed by an earthquake on December 2, 1562. The survivors settled on land belonging to Petronila Jáquez de Minaya next to the Río Yaque del Norte. In 1660, the city was burned and sacked by the pirate Fernand de la Fleur. In 1690, the battle of La Limonada occurred where the city successfully defended against a French attack. In 1775 and 1783, there were more earthquakes affecting the city.
 In 1721 (Insert rebellion of the captains).

In 1790, much of Santiago was devoted to the production of tobacco. Major sites of factories for its production extending in the outskirts of the city were: Licey, Pontezuela, Guazumal, Limona, Puñal, Canca, Guravo, Buenavista, Jacagua, Moca, Sabana Grande, Las Charcas, Viojo, Estancia Nueva, Canavacoa, Palmar, Peladeros, Angostura, Rincon Largo, Baitoa, Madera, Cienega, Guravito, La Torre, La Penda, Las Palomas, Exido, Zarambamba, Papayo, Matanzas, Guayabal, Babosico, Quinigua, Hato mayor, Hoya del Caimito, Caymito, Diezmo, Bonagua, Santa Rosa, Emboscada, Hincha, Rafael, Algarrovo, Mirador, Río Verde, Charcas, Mari Lopez, Mamey, La Soledad, Tabava, Arroyo Hondo, Manga Larga, Mirador, Alta Mira, and Vega.

During the Era de Francia, France took control of the entire island of Hispaniola and Santiago de los Caballeros began urban planning.  Soon after, the Haitian Revolution occurred resulting in the city being taken by Haitian forces led by Henri Christophe on February 28, 1805 and several citizens being executed. Some of those targeted included Don Carlos de Rojas, Don Francisco Escoto, Don José Núñez (vecino de La Vega), Don Bartolomé Forteza, and Don Juan Reyes. Dessalines arrived in Santiago on April 12, 1805 and set fire to the town targeting its churches and convents. Dessalines named José Tavares, also known as el criollo and Campo Tavares, a mulato resident of the city of Santiago its commander (comandante de la plaza) according the Gaspar de Arredondo y Pichardo based on his color. The army killed around 400 residents targeting the clergy and taking prisoners back to Haiti.
 The general chaos on the island and specifically in the Cibao from this tumultuous time were the primary factors that caused thousands of white families to flee the island. One family from Santiago was a branch of the Estrella family of Santiago went to Puerto Rico, first to Aguadilla and finally settling in Camuy. Some families returned to Santiago after Spanish rule was reinstated like the military families of Sargento primero Narciso Román Valerio who was stationed in San Juan and Capitán Domingo Pichardo y del Monte who was stationed in Ceuta, North Africa.

Again, the city of Santiago was occupied by Haitian troops in 1822 when the Haitian side unified the island. Another strong earthquake occurred in 1842, killing much of the city's population.

Dominican Restoration War

During the Restoration War, Santiago de los Caballeros was the capital of the Dominican Republic. On August 31, 1863, General Gaspar Polanco led troops to retake the city under Spanish occupation. They attacked September 6th with Polanco making the decision to set fire to part of Santiago surrounding la Fortaleza de San Luis. The fire was exasperated by distilleries owned by Jacinto Ramírez spreading throughout the city. This decision left the city burned to ashes and no longer of strategic value to the Spanish forces. Polanco was promoted to the rank of Generalissimo for the siege of Santiago.

Alcaldes