Historical records show that Dingras was founded in the year 1598 with St. Joseph as its patron saint. Some parts of Piddig, Banna (now Espiritu), Solsona and the whole town of Marcos were carved out of Dingras. An agricultural community, Dingras has long been known as the rice granary of the province, even as early as the Augustinian missions in 1883 who reported that a superior quality of rice from the town was then exported to China and Europe. In the olden days, there were two barangays, namely the southern and northern barangays. The northern barangays was located north of the river; the other at the south of the rover. Each tribe was ruled by a datu. Datu Allawigan governed the northern barangay. The chief of the southern barangay was Datu Naslag. These datus were bitter enemies.

One day, the southern barangay planned to hunt. At first the members urned reluctant because of the danger situation that was pervading them between the 2 factions. But because of the undaunted bravery of a gallant young man named Ras, they were able to go hunt. Ras was the son of Datu Naslag.

On their way, Ras saw a big deer. Swiftly, Ras ran after the deer. As he was training his sight to where the deer ran, he catched a glimpse of a beautiful and vibrant lady who was picking flowers on the other side of the river. This was the daughter od Dat Allawigan named Ding.

Upon seeing her, Ras cut off a flower and placed it on the top of his arrow and shot it to where Ding stood.

When a flower dropped at her feet, Ding picked it up smilingly and with wonder. In a few minutes that followed she saw Ras on the other side. She waved her hand with an approving gesture. After a while, Ras went home immediately and told the story to his father. With his judgement and experience, Datu Naslag instinctively placed doubt on the desire of his son to marry his bitter enemy's daughter. The chief was certain that they could not win the hands of Ding through peaceful means but by the vocabulary of war. Both father and son decided at any cause.

Consequently, they sent an emissary for the purpose. Along the river bank, both tribes confronted each other. The followers of Datu Allawigan were defeated the defeat of the followers, however, was not enough to the flabbergasted chief to give up his hands of his daughter. In the process of his stubbornness, Datu Allawigan goaded his strongest man to match physically with any man of Datu Naslag. Ras volunteer from their tribe, provided that the prize of the winner was no other than Ding, his beloved. Fiercely, the two men fought. As a result, Ras won. After that the two Datu assembled, and kept their word of honor.

The marriage of Ding and Ras would go on!

The culmination of the marriage forged an uprecendented unity between the two former warring actions. Gradually, the names of the son and daughter of the datus were combined together to form what was to be the future name of the town of Dingras.

Dingras has much to offer besides the bounties of nature with which it has been blessed in terms of history, culture and human resources. The age-old structures around its town plaza bear witness to centuries of Spanish, American, revolutionary, Japanese and guerilla rule: the ruins of the Catholic Church built in 1776; the Spanish type residential homes of the Puruganans, Versozas, Madambas and Medinas; the burial places infront of the church ruins where the victims of Japanese tyranny now lie forevers; and the many relics of a historical past that are tell-tale symbols of the old, the new and the changing orders - all mutely preserving a continuing history of places, ideas, cultures and people.

The town is very proud of its own sons and daughters. To name a few, one is MRS. JOSEFA LLANES ESCODA, at national heroine-martyr of World War II and founded of GIRL SCOUTING in the Philippines. Another is Enriqueta de Peralta, an outstanding feminist leader, social worker and Women's organizer.

Farming is the prime occupation of the people, because the place is blessed wide and fertile plains irrigated by the Padsan river. Rice is the principal food and the chief crop. In fact, Dingras is dubbed as the rice granary of Ilocos Norte. Corn is another crop, but it is not widely used for food. However, it is an essential animal feed. Tobacco and garlic are also promising crops of the town.

Although Dingras is an inland town, it is not behind other towns in terms to commerce and trade. It is the trading center of the Padsan Valley and the junction of Espiritu - Laoag - Solsona transportation rides, thus facilitating faster trading.

Dairy and poultry raising are other industries Mandaloque and Bagut are good duck raising grounds, while other barangays like Suyo, Capasan, Bungcag and Alabaan produce fresh milk. The Plains are full of green grasses ant this contributes to the profitability of the livestock industry.

Weaving used to be popular in Dingras. Some women still weave cloth for dresses. However, this industry is vanishing because of the advent of modern weaving and making of clothes.

At present, the municipality has three secondary schools: the Saint Joseph Institute, the Mariano Marcos State University High School and the Lt. Edgar Foz Municipal Memorial High School with four annexes which was named in memory of a young brave officer - Lt. Edgar C. Foz who died for the love of freedom.

The Dingras Emergency Hospital also stands within the town square serving people of Dingras and Solsona.

Dingras is a fast-developing town. The ruined Catholic Church was developed into a Freedom Mini Park. The public market has been renovated which included the construction of new stalls hping to bring and increase in the income of the municipality.

Above all, Dingras is a place warmed by the blessings of the sun and rain and by smiles of beautiful women which are its pride.