History of Valle de Angeles
The first name of the place was «La Marranera,» which could have been due to pig farming in the area and/or the prevailing wildlife, particularly the large number of wild boars that existed in La Tigra and descended to the settlements. The municipality was also known as «El Cimarrón,» referring to the black slaves who escaped from work in the mines of Santa Lucia and San Antonio de Oriente.
For the population census of 1791, it appears with the name «El Cimarrón.» At that time, the municipality was part of the Curato de Santa Lucia (SCT 1993). According to a document dating back to 1801, «El Cimarrón» already had 44 Spanish inhabitants when Mr. Ramón de Anguiano served as the governor-intendant of Honduras. It was later designated as an Aldea and belonged to the municipality of San Antonio de Oriente in the department of Tegucigalpa.
Valle de Ángeles was originally an Aldea belonging to the municipality of San Antonio de Oriente, District of San Antonio de Oriente in the department of Tegucigalpa, one of the former municipalities of Honduras.
Initially, the inhabitants of Valle de Ángeles were farmers and miners. They engaged in rudimentary mining of the so-called «Güirises» and smelted silver called «tejos» in common furnaces known as «Oficinas.»
Scattered in the mountainous terrain near the headwaters, a large number of mine shafts and sites where the «Oficinas» were located can be found, marked by the remains of the smelting process.
From the last century until 1914, a company called «El Socorro» operated a mine to the north of the town, and part of the large machinery can still be found there, indicating the extent of the exploitation. The company withdrew when the First World War broke out.
Another mine that was industrially exploited was «Los Angeles» in Las Golondrinas under the management of the American citizen Paul Bondy, who was expelled from the country due to pressure from the Honduran working class.
In one of the municipal records, there is a historical passage during the land regularization process that states:
«WE REMIND THE PRESIDENT THAT THE MINING RESOURCES OF VALLE DE ANGELES SAVED THE NATION IN ITS MOST RECENT CRISIS,» referring to the year 1880.
Valle de Ángeles was a producer of citrus fruits and flowers. It is said that one of the origins of the hamlet was a hacienda called «Cimarrón,» where wheat was grown. The municipal inventory included a wheat mill that is now completely deteriorated.
Foundation
In the proceedings to request elevation to a municipality in 1864, it was called «Valle de Ánjeles» (a name assigned by the Bishop of Honduras, Fray Juan de Jesús Zepeda y Zepeda). Later, in 1868, its records appear under the name «Mineral de Ánjeles,» which was used until 1882. These name changes are not documented in any official records.
In a letter addressed to the Assistant Mayors of the Aldea of El Mineral de Ángeles, the Political Governor of the Department of Tegucigalpa ordered on October 15, 1864, that on November 1, 1864, the election of the Electoral Board should take place, followed by the election of the first municipal council. The following positions were selected:
- A first mayor
- A second mayor
- A first councilor
- A second councilor
- A syndic attorney
The elected municipality was sworn in by the Assistant Mayor of the Aldea and took office on January 1, 1865, with its first mayor, Mr. Baltazar Medrano, marking the birth of the municipality of Valle de Ángeles.
From that moment until 1957, the authorities were elected annually, then for two-year terms, and currently for four-year terms.
Important Events Related to the Discovery and Exploitation of the Mining Area:
- 1862: First discovery in La Montaña La Marranera.
- 1863: First concession claim for the mine «Las Animas» by a group of settlers in collusion with foreign participants.
- 1887 and 1889: The first 44 mine shafts were registered in Valle de Ángeles. In the same year, President Luis Bográn granted ejidal lands with an area of 205,698 caballerías.
- March 18, 1902: The contract made in 1888 for the mine «Las Animas,» which belonged to The Ángeles Company, was renewed. It later became known as «The Animas Mining Smelting Company.»
- February 1, 1954: An agreement was reached with engineer Paul Bundy, representative of Los Ángeles S.A. Company, for the exploitation of minerals such as silver, lead, and zinc from the waters of Quebrada Agua Amarilla.
Its Municipal Building
The construction of the Municipal Palace was agreed upon on the second day of the municipality’s existence (January 2, 1865), along with the construction of a Catholic church in the central square. The construction took several years. On July 8, 1882, the construction of the Consistory Hall was agreed upon in consultation with the community.
The church was completed in 1904.
The Consistorial building, made of adobe, wood, and clay tiles, served as the seat of the Municipality, offices for the Commanders (Armed Forces), schools, and prisons.
In 1959, the building was renovated and housed the telegraph office, post office, National Registry of Persons, Peace Court, a medical clinic, and a banking agency.
Other Historical Facts
In 1958, a change for the improvement of Valle de Ángeles began under the leadership of its beloved son, Mr. Héctor V. Medina. In 1959, the doors of progress were opened, starting with the construction of a road, industries, basic services for the population such as potable water, electricity, sanitary sewer, paving of the streets, transportation, telephone services, construction of a central park, remodeling of the Municipal Palace, remodeling of the church, a municipal market, and the will and determination of its residents to see it grow.
In 1966, the Center for Artisan Training of Valle de Ángeles (CAAVA) was founded, with national and international projection, and the Adventist Hospital, which have contributed greatly to the community of Valle de Ángeles.
Tourist City
On October 4, 1997, the day of the patron saint «San Francisco de Asís,» the Special Commission of the National Congress awarded the Municipal Corporation, in a solemn session, Legislative Decree No. 184-96, elevating the head of the municipality to the category of «Tourist City.» Carlos Roberto Reina was the President of the Nation, and Carlos Roberto Flores was the President of the National Congress.
Decree No. 184-96
THE NATIONAL CONGRESS,
CONSIDERING: That the Municipality of VALLE DE ANGELES in the Department of Francisco Morazán is in an area that deserves the protection and incentives of the State.
CONSIDERING: That it is the responsibility of the National Congress to promote the development of towns.
THEREFORE:
DECREES
ARTICLE 1: Grant the urban center of the Municipality of Valle de Ángeles, Francisco Morazán Department, the title of «TOURIST CITY.»
ARTICLE 2: The Executive Branch, through the Ministry of Economy and Trade, shall declare the Municipality of Valle de Ángeles, Francisco Morazán Department, as a TOURIST ZONE in accordance with the relevant law, and as a result, all tourism activities and operators shall enjoy the benefits of the law.
ARTICLE 3: The Executive Branch shall involve various public sector departments and institutions in the development and implementation of specific projects for the Municipality of Valle de Ángeles.
ARTICLE 4: This Decree shall enter into force from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette «La Gaceta.»
Decree No. 184-96
Given in the City of Tegucigalpa, Central District Municipality, in the Session Hall of the National Congress, on the thirtieth day of October, one thousand nine hundred and ninety-six.
(Signed) – Stamp of the National Congress, Presidency – Carlos Roberto Flores Facusse
(Signed) – Stamp of the National Congress, Secretary – Roberto Michellety Bain
(Signed) – Stamp of the National Congress, Secretary – Salomón Sorto del Cid.
TO THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH
THEREFORE, EXECUTE
Tegucigalpa, M.D.C. November 25, 1996 (Signed) Carlos Roberto Reina Idiaquez – Constitutional President of the Republic. Secretary of State for Governance and Justice – Efraín Moncada Silva. Secretary of State for Economy and Commerce – Fernando García.
Published in the Official Gazette «La Gaceta» number 28.166 on January 21, 1997.
Sources:
- Municipal Library of Valle de Ángeles
- «Multidimensional Integral Diagnosis» (DIM) of the municipality of Valle de Ángeles, Francisco Morazán department.
