La Carlota was once a thriving settlement known as Mangkas, the name of a brave and noble warrior of Negrito inhabitants who lived in a quiet and idyllic place along the portions of Canman-ug Creek.

Because he was kind and revered by his people, Mangkas’ name was also given to their children, and soon after, with so many Mangkas around, the settlement was known as such by the natives. 

The idyllic life of the natives came to an end with the arrival of the Spaniards. Though skilled hunters with their spears and blow darts and bows and arrows, their weapons were no match against the invaders who were armed with what were then modern weapons. The inhabitants were thus driven to the hills, their pride dented. But some remained in their homes and quickly assimilated into the new life. 

A number of years later, kindness returned to the place in the person of Carlota, wife of Spanish official Capitan Enrique, who showed compassion to the natives, cared for the sick and the poor and generally filled the vacuum left by the warrior Mangkas.

 The settlement started as a barrio of San Enrique under Carlota’s husband and got its full status as a town during the last part of the Spanish era. To perpetuate her deeds, the natives named the pueblo after her. During that time, the Spaniards were used to preceding proper nouns with appropriate articles “La” so the place has been known as “La Carlota”. 

On June 19, 1965 by virtue of Republic Act No. 4585, the town of La Carlota was converted into a city. It is a noted eco-tourism area and breeding ground for champion game fowls. La Carlota’s Guintubdan Nature Camp is the favorite jump-off point for a trek to Mount Kanlaon Natural Park. 

La Carlota is also known as home of three world flyweights Boxing Champions namely: Pancho Villa (Francisco Gilledo), Small Montana (Benjamin Gan) and Little Dado (Eleuterio Zapanta).