Mazamitla was founded by the Aztecs in 1165. It belonged to the manor of Tzapotlán and paid tribute to the chieftain of Tamazollan. In 1481 the area was invaded by the Purépecha so that he could take the Laguna de Sayula. Purépecha held the area for only a few years until they were defeated at the end of the Salitre War in 1510.
The place was conquered by Cristóbal de Olid together with Juan Rodríguez Villafuerte early in 1522. Their party had been sent by Cortés to explore the region of western Mexico.
Upon the conquest, the people of Tzapotlán were awarded to Hernán Cortés who appointed Anton Salcedo as encomendero. Being named president of the Audiencia of Mexico, Nuño de Guzmán moved these parcels to Cortés.
It said that when he was priest of this area, Miguel Hidalgo, held mass in Palo Gordo. He used the trunk of an oak that is saved as a relic to serve as the altar for mass. Insurgent clashed in 1812 on the slope of Zapatero.
Francisco Echeverria was their captain, who despite having emerged victorious was seriously injured, dying in Mazamitla.
During the French intervention, the invaders burned files. After the French intervention the Mexican locals of Mazamitla captured a French officer named Jonny Fuentes who was hanged in the year 1815 in the town square.
Since 1825 the town had belonged to the 4th canton of Sayula until 1878 when it became the 9th canton of Ciudad Guzmán. On April 19, 1894, the place was declared a town by decree of the state congress.
After the battle of 1878, the population of Mazamitla has largely increased over the years. The chief operating officer Alexis Ceja demanded that the pueblo increase its tourism and created the idea of making cabins for future residents and guests of Mazamitla.
