"BRIEF
HISTORY OF ADAMS
ILOCOS NORTE"
The history of Adams
prior to year 1918 has no factual record but a legend has been told and retold
on the beginning of
Adams
. It was the year 1900 that American Governor William Taft was fascinated by
Baguio
’s gentle weather especially during the smeltering summer heat of
Manila
that many American adventurers and missionaries alike choose to stay north of
Manila
, each for his own reason. Some landed in a village along the shoreline of
Pasaleng
Bay
on the lower slopes of the northwestern peak of the Cordillera mountain ranges
called “Tinamburan” (now Sitio Pancian, Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte) where
peace-loving tribesmen were residing. The tribal folks upon seeing the
approaching ships of the intruders and having thought of being raided by the
pirates immediately packed their scanty belongings and fearfully rushed
southward to the deep forest. They climb mountain cliffs and steep ravines and
wandered for days until they reached a beautiful valley along crystal clear
water cascading downstream in torrent called later a
Bolo
River
. The stream was very rich with eel and variety of fishes.
The aroma of wild animals was in abundant like delicious deer
and wild pigs. The villagers feast on their catch of birds, squirrels and wild
fruits of all sorts. These made the people believed that the place was blessed
and they called it “Karayan ni Adan” (
River
of
Adam
) in honor of the first man on earth whom they learned from the Spaniards. The
name was corrupted into
Adams
as it is being called today.
Official records shows that prior to 1918,
Adams
was made into a reservation for cultural minorities. To live deep in forest bed
was their forefather’s choice to possess properties, which they call their own
for a living and be able to support their families. It was later created and
recognized as a Municipal District by virtue of a law passed by the defunct
Department of Interior. This frontier town was placed under the administrative
supervision of the
Municipality
of
Bangui
,
Province
of
Ilocos Norte
. The administrative supervision over
Adams
was later transferred to the new town of Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte during the
early 1950’s.