Saint Joseph was founded in 1592 by Antonio de Berrio and is the oldest town in Trinidad and Tobago. Originally named San José de Oruña, it was the capital of Spanish Trinidad between 1592 and 1783. In 1595, it was attacked and held by Sir Walter Raleigh and was used as a base for his exploration of the Orinoco River in search of the fabled city of El Dorado. Soon after his return the place was burnt and sacked.
St. Joseph is not an incorporated municipality. It falls within the boundaries of the Tunapuna–Piarco region.