San Carlos was Nabingkalan, an arrabal of Hilub-ang (Calatrava) in the island of Buglas (Negros). Nabingkalan derived its name from Nabingka, an ebon beauty of a princess, who ruled the barrio during the early part of the 17th century. She was famous for her loveliness and mental and physical prowess. After her death, the people mourned for two years, but to perpetuate her memory, something had to be done, and that was to name the barrio Nabingkalan. So it was, as it is to this day.

On October 16, 1898, a parish priest of Calatrava, then the township under the jurisdiction Nabingkalan was a barrio, visited the place. He found it more prosperous than the town proper. So he assembled the cabesas de barangay and after a short conference, decided to name the new town San Carlos, in honor of the Patron Saint of the barrio, Saint Carlos Borromeo, whose feast day was November 4, and same day, the seat of the town was transferred to San Carlos.

Fragments of written history show that in1856, the island of Negros as a politico-military province under Spain, was divided into two provinces, the West Negros under Iloilo and the East Negros under Cebu. The barrio of Nabingkalan under Calatrava, was under the jurisdiction of Iloilo.

During the first years of the American jurisdiction of the Philippines, the economic and social phase of the activities of the people was gauged on the movements of the big landholders and spaniards in the lowlands. In 1903, the political arena was a hot place, it is being the first taste of the Filipinos to elect their own leader. Since then, the following elections were always a sensational political drama. In 1912, when the sugar central was constructed, the economic life of the people was greatly enhanced. The political activities, however, was closely woven with that of Calatrava, until 1925, when Calatrava was organized into a municipality.

The First World War encourage the people of San Carlos to produce more staple and sugar crops. After the armistice in 1917, the planters who produced more sugar had their wealth greatly increased because of the new price of sugar never before enjoyed by the planters. During the war, many sons of San Carlos volunteered to fight for Uncle Sam, but a few months later, were sent back home because of the Armistice.

The Second World War was partly fought in San Carlos. Barely one month after the surrender of Negros to the Japanese Imperial Forces, guerilla movement began in San Carlos and Calatrava. As early as June15, 1942, guerilla bands under the leadership of Lt. Leonardo Marane and Lt. Alfredo Valdivia began operations against the enemy. Pitch battle were fought within the environs of the poblacion. In spite of the presence of Maj. Edward McClenahan, a US Army officer in the area of San Carlos, the guerilla bands were not organized. However, with the coming home of some USAFFE officers of San Carlos, the guerilla was formally organized. Under USAFFE Capts. Catalino D. Rivera and Loreto Y. Apuhin, together with Lts. Florencio C. Yap and Andres L. Arrogante the bands of roving guerillas in San Carlos were consolidated under one command. The professionals inside the free area joined the movement. Noted among whom, were: Eufemio A. Parana and Paul G. Gores, lawyer; Dominador Cejalvo, engineer; Carlos M. Madrazo, chemist; Eugenio Antonio, Jr., labor leader and chemist; Pedro T. Algarme, college professor; and later, Oscar A. Quisumbing, Arturo A, Cruz, physicians and Lt. Fernando D. Estampador.

In the war fronts of Bataan and Mindanao, several sons of San Carlos made their supreme sacrifices. Among those who survived to tell the story that came home to continue the fight against the enemy, were: Capt. Epifanio D. Liberal, Capt. Dominador Justiniani, Capt. Porferio A. Villaflor, Lts. Teodulfo Limas, Crescencio C. Portuguez, Florencio C. Yap, Andres L. Arrogante, Nestorio L. Layumas, Federico Legaspina, Sgt. Simplicio Algarme and very few enlisted men.

In March, 1945, San Carlos saw action, when the local guerilla under the over-all command of Col. Ernesto S. Mata, attacked the Japanese garrison in the compound of San Carlos Milling Company and succeeded in driving away the enemy, at the cost of the life of Lt. Alfredo Valdivia.

Labor movement was accented by the organization of the Allied Workers Association of the Philippines, the San Carlos United Workers Association, the Philippines Land-Air-Sea Labor Union, and the defunct Anak sa Buhat. Since then, only one strike was registered, and that was in 1956.

By virtue of RA No. 2648, the Municipality of San Carlos was converted into the City of San Carlos on July 1, 1960. The City inherited from the Municipality numerous improvements hitherto unprecedented in the history of the town. The improvements were introduced by the last municipal administration under Mayor Carmona. The usual experience of a new city during the transition period is fraught with crisis. The new city of San Carlos excepted to this rule. The herculean effort exerted by Mayor Carmona in meeting the huge obligations of the city in the form of salaries of newly created offices and the implementation of WAPCO increases of the intermediate school teachers were easily overcome.

Located along the coast of Tañon Strait, this city of 111 thousand people is strategically located at the crossroads of your major cities in the Visayas, namely: Cebu City, Bacolod City, Iloilo City and Dumaguete City. It has a long coastline that runs to 40 kilometers which is protected by the city's mangrove reforestation program while its seas are closely guarded from abuse by this active Bantay Dagat force. Nature has also endowed San Carlos City with a deep natural harbor that can take in large shipping vessels. This harbor is also protected from inclement weather by Refugio Island (Sipaway). Due to these special attributes, the Philippine Ports Authority has chosen the San Carlos City port from among other ports in the province for its expansion program in 1998 which include the reclamation of four hectares of sea to accommodate various port buildings, facilities and container vans, an extension on the eastside for two roro vessels and the extension of the length of the port to 242.5 meters.

San Carlos City has (2) pronounced seasons, wet and dry. The rainy season starts from May to January with heavy rains occurring during the months of August and September. Dry season starts from the month of February up to the last week of April. December and January are the coldest months while April is the hottest.

The National Statistics Office (NSO) revealed that City population has reached 118,259

Cebuano is the major dialect spoken in San Carlos City. English and Tagalog are also widely spoken and understood especially in the urban areas.

Upscale specialty restaurants as well as modest alfresco setups serve Negrense, Filipino continental and Oriental cuisines. American burger and pizza franchises and other fast food outlets can be found around the city.

There are a number of bars with live entertainment, video, karaoke, game rooms and discos, many of with are found in Center Mall.

Pedicabs are common mode of transport within the city. Buses and jeepneys provide service for intertown travel.

Antiques, hand woven cloth like hablon, shellcraft, ceramic ware, woodcraft, leather goods, pottery, baskets and children's garments are among the best buys.

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