Spanish awareness of Kafagway is thought to have been first awakened by the visit of Don Jose Alfonso Quirante to the gold mines of Antamog in 1624. A survey by Guillermo Galvez in the 1800s led to the institution of six commandancias politico-militar between 1846 and 1891. These outposts were overseen from Agoo, La Union. Rancherias and presidencies were also established to effect some local governance.

It was at about this time that the name Baguio gained currency. It is believed that the first presidencia was setup in Bagiw, whose name came from a moss that grew abundantly in the area. From then on reports by Spanish authorities referred to the general area as Baguio -- despite the fact that the next presidencia was elsewhere.

Although the Spaniards did not occupy Baguio in any great numbers, they made plans to enjoy the benefits of its healthful climate. Officers were sent on an expedition to study the suitability of establishing a sanitarium in La Trinidad. Over a period of time, the Spaniards gathered data to illustrate just how well suited the area was as a recuperation area. They made daily temperature readings and thoroughly explored the surrounding areas. In the process, they located several springs of potable water and determined their approximate flow. Their report served as a basis for plans to set up a hospital and sanitarium as well as access roads to the area. However, these plans were never implemented.

As the 1800s drew to a close, war between Spain and the United States over Cuban independence resulted in a change in colonial masters in the Philippines. Although the Filipino revolution was being waged at the same time, the terms of the Treaty of Paris soon found the revolutionaries fighting a new enemy: the American colonizers.

Notwithstanding American occupation, the Filipinos declared independence and set up a government with Emilio Aguinaldo as president. As the Americans tightened their grip on their new colony, revolutionary field commanders surrendered, were captured or were killed.

Faced with defeat, revolutionary leaders retreated to the north. While in pursuit of a group headed for Benguet, American troops under the command of Captain Robert Rudd stumbled into Baguio in November 1899. While in the area, Captain Rudd established a military outpost. With uncanny foresight he built his one-room headquarters near a spring in an area that would later be made into the military reservation to be known as Camp John Hay.

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