Early History and Foundation

People had lived in the area where Yauco would be founded since pre-Colombian times. The modern-day Río Yauco was called by the native Taino people Coayuco which translates to "yucca plantation". After the colonization of Puerto Rico by Spain, various groups of colonists and natives lived in this part of the island for over 300 years. In the middle of the 18th century, what would become Yauco was part of the municipality of San Germán. In 1755, settlers wanting to start their own municipality built a small chapel called Nuestra Señora del Santísimo Rosario (Our Lady of the Holy Rosary) and petitioned the Spanish crown to accept their request. Their representative was Teniente á Guerra Don Fernando Pacheco de Matos and on February 29, 1756 King Fernando VI of Spain granted the settlers their request and the town of Yauco was officially founded. The prominent families during this time included the Delgado, Díaz de Espinosa, Lorenzo de Figueroa, de Lugo, Pacheco de Matos, Rodríguez de la Seda, and de Torres y Figueroa families.

Economic Growth and Immigration

The municipality of Yauco grew with increased agriculture development especially in the coffee field as well as immigration from various European states with Yauco being a hub for Corsican immigration in the 19th century. Corsicans and other European Catholics were attracted to Puerto Rico during this time with the Spanish Real Cédula de Gracias (Royal Decree of Graces) which gave them land to develop on the island. This was meant to decease the desire of independence that had spread across the colonies of continental Spanish America. The three main crops that were the basis of the economy of Yauco were coffee, sugar cane, and tobacco and were cultivated through slave labor. During the middle of the 19th century, Corsicans owned the majority of coffee plantations in Yauco and were the leaders of coffee production on the entire island. Some prominent Corsican families included the Mariani, Mattei, Negroni, and Semidei families.

Intentona de Yauco

The later half of the 19th century for Puerto Rico was filled with independence movements like el Grito de Lares in 1868. The leaders of this movement were arrested or fled the island but continued their quest for independence aboard. In 1896 a pro independence meeting was held in Barinas and made plans to overthrow the government. The group was led by Antonio Mattei Lluberas, a wealthy coffee plantation owner of Corsican descent, and Mateo Mercado. In December of that year the group was discovered and all members were incarcerated and soon after released home. In 1897, Antonio Mattei Lluberas traveled to New York City and visited the Puerto Rican Revolutionary Committee which was made up of former Grito de Lares members. Mattei Lluberas gathered support for his cause and purchased 30,000 machetes for the rebellion. Conservative Puerto Ricans fearing Spanish reprisals for another rebellion feared an independence movement and the planning for Yauco's insurrection had to start immediately as Spanish forces were notified of their intent.

On March 24, 1897, a small army of rebels led by Fidel Vélez and José "Aguila Blanca" Maldonado Román met at Susúa Arriba and displayed the Puerto Rican flag before marching through the town. Their plan was to attack a Spanish barracks and take their arms and munitions. On March 26, another group led by José Nicolás Quiñones Torres and Ramón Torres attacked the Spanish in Quebradas and were defeated. Over 150 were arrested and charged with crimes against the state. Some were incarcerated in Ponce while others fled the island. In December of that year, those who had participated in the Intentona de Yauco were released from jail.

Spanish-American War

In 1898 with the beginning of war between the United States and Spain, Puerto Rico was invaded by the United States. Guánica, which at the time was part of Yauco, had a small militia of eleven men who once notified by the local lighthouse keeper, Robustiano Rivera, went with many of the residents of Guánica to the town of Yauco. Rivera told the news of the invasion to the mayor, Atilio Gaztambide, and the town prepared its defense. The first skirmish was fought in Guánica between Puerto Rican milita and American sailors and marines. The skirmish was lost and the Spanish troops retreated to the town of Yauco. The Battle of Yauco was fought on July 26 where Spanish forces and Puerto Rican volunteers, led by Captián Salvador Meca and Teniente Coronel Francisco Puig, faced off against American forces led by Brigadier General George A. Garretson. The battle took place at the Hacienda Desideria, owned by Antonio Mariani. The Spanish forces were ordered to retreat. The war ended at the end of that year.

United States Territory

After the Spanish-American War, the United States annexed the island of Puerto Rico and with the involvement of the United States in World War I, Puerto Ricans were given citizenship. Census have been taken every decade from 1910. Recent devastation to Yauco includes Hurricane María in September 20, 2017 which caused major flooding and damage and an earthquake on January 7, 2020 which damaged hundreds of buildings and cut off power to many.