Municipality of San Nicolas Santa Barbara
San Nicolás is a municipality in the department of Santa Bárbara in Honduras.
The municipality was founded on January 20, 1850, and was one of the districts in the Political Division of 1889. It was granted city status on February 6, 1945.
History
During the civil war of 1919, San Nicolás witnessed a fierce battle between government troops led by Mexican Colonel Teófilo Castillo and rebel forces led by General Ernesto Alvarado «alvaradito» and General Jose María Reina. After intense combat, the rebels marched towards the city of Santa Bárbara.
Since its origins, the municipality has been populated by migrants from different areas of the country, including Nicaragua and Guatemala, from where the Tercero, Cáceres, and Vallecillo families come.
Historical records date back to 1693 when Mr. Sebastián Henríquez and Mr. José Mejía purchased a piece of land from the Spanish kings for 26 tostones and one real. Mr. Henríquez and Mr. Mejía were the chiefs of San Marcos de Jalapa, belonging to the Tencoa district, under the jurisdiction of Gracias.
They became the founders of the settlement called «La Estancia de San Nicolás del llano de Erazo». This land concession was used for agriculture and livestock and covered an area of one «caballería,» an ancient measurement equivalent to 64.58 manzanas.
The life of the settlement was peaceful until it gained the interest of other populations due to the fertility of its lands, pleasant climate, and welcoming spirit of its inhabitants. As a result, it prospered rapidly, leading to the request for the title of village around 1780, as evidenced by the respective title, which has deteriorated and been re-registered.
By 1838, the village continued to prosper, and its independence from the municipality of Celilac was considered. They requested the respective agreement from the President of the Republic, Francisco Zelaya Ayes, and the request was granted in 1840. Therefore, the date of the municipality’s founding is recognized as February 20, 1840, with Don Trinidad Castellón Huete, originally from Nicaragua, serving as its first Mayor. Many families in San Nicolás also come from Nicaragua.
Due to the enthusiasm and hard work demonstrated by this first Municipal Corporation, neighboring towns requested annexation to the municipality, including Celilac, Yamalá, Macholoa, Azacualpa, Atima, and San Vicente Centenario. Over time, inhabitants from other places such as Arada, Naranjito, Trinidad, Colinas, Atima, Lempira, and others joined as well.
For political and friendship reasons, President José María Medina granted the municipality the title of PROVISIONAL DEPARTMENTAL HEAD in 1864.
Subsequently, Mr. Jesús Castro was appointed Commander of Arms and Political Governor, and Mr. Antonio Cruz was appointed Administrator. Their offices were located in the house occupied by Mr. Bartolo Cardona, now the house of Arnold Leiva. Geographically, the municipality is located in the southwest part of the city of Santa Bárbara, at an elevation ranging from 550 feet above sea level in the low areas to 1194 feet in the high areas. It covers an area of 86.60 square kilometers.
Location
It is situated on the left bank of the Ulúa River. It borders the municipality of Nuevo Celilac to the north, and the municipalities of San Vicente Centenario, Arada, and La Unión to the south. It also borders the municipality of Santa Bárbara to the east and the municipality of Atima to the west.
Limits
- Norte: con Nueva Celilac
- Sur: con San Vicente Centenario y Arada
- Este: con Santa Bárbara
- Oeste: con Atima y La Unión Lempira.
Villages
El término municipal tiene las siguientes aldeas: El Porvenir, Choloma, Pinalejo, Guayabito, Santa Cruz, La Cuchilla, Las Flores, El Resumidero, San Isidro El Pacayal, El Zapotillo, Montes de Oro, Cruz de Pacaya, Plan del Higo, Río Frío, Cruz Grande, Descansadero, Buenos Aires y San Manuel del Triunfo.
