Espiritu, a quaint little town located on top of a hill on the eastern part of Ilocos Norte, is on always on its march to progress.

Before the arrival of the Spaniards in the Philippines, a village in the easternmost part of the province was inhabited by roaming Tinggian hunters. The village was ruled by a brave and wise chief named Bana and his wife, Ipara. The words of the ruler were the laws of the people. One time, Bana held a feast to celebrate his birthday, and all the settlers of the neighboring tribes were invited.

While the merrymaking was going on, a group of intruders attacked the tribes. Because the natives of the place were unprepared and had inferior arms, they were defeat. The chief, Bana, with some of his warriors fled to Bantay Paor, but were captured by the intruders. It was only the brave Bana who escaped. Since then, the people called the place Banna to honor their brave and wise ruler.

In 1960, a bill sponsored by Hon Simeon Valdez, then the former Congressman of the 2nd District of Ilocos Norte, was approved by the Congress. They changed the name of the town Banna to Espiritu, in honor of Ex-Governor Santiago Espiritu, who was once a Municipal President and Governor of the province.

At first, it was a barrio of Dingras, but because of the increase of the population, it became independent in 1913. The people under the leadership of Honorable Santiago Espiritu worked peacefully for the separation of the barrio and made Don Ismael Valenciano the first president of the town.

Espiritu today, has begun to realize its most cherished dream that of becoming a place of beauty, a place of plenty and a place of well-disciplined people. The town can now boast of many splendid things. It is proud of its natural beauty. Transportation has been made easy because of the asphalted roads that connect the barangays and poblacion.