Spanish period

Traces of 12th century villages can be found near the waterways that pass through the territory of Cabadbaran. With the exception of a site in Sanghan where Chinese ceramics from 15th to 16th century were found, no other pre-colonial records have been located.

Cabadbaran was first mentioned by the Spanish as a small village chosen by the Spanish authorities to be turned into a reduction called "La Reunion de Cabarbaran" in 1867. The reduction was mostly populated by people from Southern Agusan. Then in 1879, the reduction was disbanded. The inhabitants of the reduction went back to their places of origin while the remaining migrated to Tubay.

In 1880–1881, the reduction was revived by Father Saturnino Urios, but was named Tolosa to honor Father Urios' hometown in Spain. In 1880, Tolosa was headed by the Teniente del Barrio Don Eduardo Curato. He petitioned to the Spanish authorities for the township application of Tolosa to be approved. On January 31, 1894, the petition was approved. The population and the economy grew, which was driven by agriculture and commerce. But the growth suddenly came to a halt when the revolution against Spain started. No significant turmoil affected the city until the coming of the American forces in 1901.^[6]

American period

When the Americans arrived, Spanish forces were forced to surrender. Included with them was Capt. Andres Atega. Under the Americans, the town was called again as Cabadbaran (according to Don Andres Atega's proposal).

In 1903, the public education system was established with George Bohner as the first American teacher. Public health also improved when Dr. Pedro Malbas was appointed as the Public Health Officer in the 1920s and constructed sanitary toilets, deep wells and drainage canals. Public infrastructure was also improved by the Americans.

Then in the 1935 Constitutional Convention, Apolonio "Oyok" D. Curato, a lawyer, represented Agusan. He then became the Governor and Congressman of the province of Agusan.

The local economy grew when it started producing abaca from coconut plantations established by the Americans. Rice was also grown and remained as staple crop grown in the fields up to this day. The Agusan-Surigao road opened in the 1930s and several bus lines started public service along this route.^[6]

World War II

Cabadbaran had been occupied at one time by those resisting the Japanese occupation of Mindanao.^[7] Eventually the Japanese occupied it. On January 17, 1945, combined American and Filipino troops including recognized guerrillas fought a force of Japanese troops on the road between Cabadbaran and Butuan. The Japanese were in the process of reinforcing their garrison at Butuan. The guerrillas retreated when Japanese reinforcements arrived. The guerrillas also had depleted their ammunition.^[8]

On March 31, 1945, Major Juan Rivera and a guerrilla detachment attacked the Japanese at Cabadbaran; the Japanese abandoned the post after an hour-long battle.^[9]

The general headquarters of the Philippine Commonwealth Army and Philippine Constabulary was active on 1945 to 1946 in Cabadbaran during and aftermath of World War II.

Cityhood

On July 28, 2007, the municipality Cabadbaran becomes a city in the province of Agusan del Norte after ratification of Republic Act 9434.

The Supreme Court declared the cityhood law of Cabadbaran and 15 other cities unconstitutional after a petition filed by the League of Cities of the Philippines in its ruling on November 18, 2008. On December 22, 2009, the cityhood law of Cabadbaran and 15 other municipalities regain its status as cities again after the court reversed its ruling on November 18, 2008. On August 23, 2010, the court reinstated its ruling on November 18, 2008, causing Cabadbaran and 15 cities to become regular municipalities. Finally, on February 15, 2011, Cabadbaran along with the other 15 municipalities became cities again, declaring that the conversion to cityhood met all legal requirements.

After six years of legal battle, the League of Cities of the Philippines in its board resolution acknowledged and recognized the cityhood of Cabadbaran and the 15 other cities.

Climate

The city belongs to the Second Climatic Type of the Corona Classification. No definite dry season in the place and maximum rainfall occurs from October to January. The average rainfall is 171.29 millimetres (6.744 in) per month, average annual temperature 28 °C (82 °F).

Barangays

Cabadbaran is politically subdivided into 31 barangays.^[11] Each barangay consists of puroks while some have sitios.

Language

The entirety of Cabadbaran speaks Cebuano. There are also significant number of people who speak Surigaonon, for these people have lived or have ancestries from the northern municipalities and speak in a variety of the Jabonganon, Mainitnon and Gigaquitnon dialects of the Surigaonon language. English and Filipino are also widely spoken, while Ilocano, Hiligaynon, Waray, Manobo languages, Butuanon, Boholano dialect, Maguindanaon, Maranao and Tausug also have significant speakers in the area.

Festivals and celebrations

• Charter Day Celebration - held annually every July 28 to commemorate the cityhood of Cabadbaran.
• Dagkot Festival - It is the sole important event during the fiesta celebration of Cabadbaran City. The weeklong festivity features socio-civic activities, sporting events, trade fairs and capped by a grand street dancing parade and competition to celebrate the historic past and the bright future that awaits the city also in honor of Nuestra Seniora de Candelaria.
• Musikainan Food and Music Festival - It is a celebrational tribute to the city's "culture and history as well as the local's cooking tradition".^[23]

Provincial Seat of Government

After the Provincial Government of Agusan del Norte attains the reclassification of their land conducted by the Department of Agriculture in Barangay Sanghan, Cabadbaran City where the new Capitol building will be constructed, land conversion by the Department of Agrarian Reform will soon follow. The new Capitol will feature a modern design, including an employees village at the back of the new building intended for the provincial employees.

List of mayors

The list of mayors that took office in Cabadbaran starting in 1896.^[24]

_{*The first municipal mayor.}

_{**The first city mayor.}

By land

Cabadbaran City is accessible by bus from Bachelor Express, Davao Metro Shuttle, or Surigao Bus via Butuan-Surigao routes or vice versa. There are also vans, jeep and multi-cabs that have routes towards both Surigao City and Butuan which are stationed in the City Transport Terminal.

Accredited Transport Cooperative:

• Agusan Del Norte PUV Transport Service Cooperative^[26]

By air and sea

Currently the city has neither seaports nor airports. Cabadbaran can be reached by air from Manila and Cebu via Butuan which is 30 kilometers away. From the Visayas, it can be accessed via the Nasipit Municipal Port in Nasipit, Agusan del Norte (60 km) or via the Lipata Port and Verano International Port both in Surigao City (79 km) through the Maharlika Highway.

Public elementary schools

Secondary education

Tertiary education