The city of Felipe Carrillo Puerto was founded in 1850 by independent
Maya people during the
Caste War of Yucatán under the name
Noj Kaaj Santa Cruz Báalam Naj (“Great Town of the Holy Cross, the House of Those on Guard”). The city became the center of resistance against the federal government, and housed the Talking Holy Cross (Santa Cruz Parlante), which was a sacred Maya symbol that embodied their religious beliefs as well as their spiritual and political authority during the war. The city fell to Mexican
Federal Army troops in 1901 and was renamed "Santa Cruz del Bravo" before acquiring its present name in honor of politician
Felipe Carrillo Puerto in 1932. The mid 20th century saw the establishment of federal rural schools in the region, as well as
ejidos, which were able to negotiate with foreign companies during the
chicle boom. ==Geography==