Santa Barbara in Santa Barbara County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Juana Maria

The Lone Woman of San Nicolas Island

Photographed by Craig Baker, 2017

1. Juana Maria Marker

Inscription.
Indian woman abandoned on San Nicolas Island eighteen years. Found and brought to Santa Barbara by Capt. George Nidever in 1853.

Erected 1928 by Daughters of the American Revolution.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Women. In addition, it is included in the Daughters of the American Revolution series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1853.

Location. 34° 26.318′ N, 119° 42.787′ W. Marker is in Santa Barbara, California, in Santa Barbara County. It can be reached from the intersection of Laguna Street and Los Olivos Street. Located inside the Mission grounds near the cemetery, open 9-4 daily. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2201 Laguna Street, Santa Barbara CA 93105, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on California’s Central Coast,

specifically on the Coast Ranges,

and specifically in the Transverse Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

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the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Santa Barbara Mission Aqueduct (within shouting distance of this marker); Santa Barbara Mission (within shouting distance of this marker); Don Jose Francisco De Ortega (within shouting distance of this marker); Moorish Fountain and Indian Community Laundry (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Santa Barbara Mission Lavanderia (about 300 feet away); Santa Barbara Mission Early Water Supply (about 500 feet away); Mission Historical Park (about 500 feet away); Assembly Required (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Santa Barbara.

Regarding Juana Maria. San Nicolas Island is 60 miles from the California mainland. Today it is owned by the U.S. Navy, and no visitors are allowed.

The island was inhabited by natives for thousands of years. In 1814, a party of hunters massacred most of the islanders. In 1835 the remaining

1853

2. Juana Maria

natives were removed and brought to the mainland, but one woman was left behind. Later attempts to find her were not successful, until Captain Nidever’s third attempt in 1853. Seven weeks after arriving at the Santa Barbara Mission, Juana Maria died of dysentery.

The popular children’s novel Island of the Blue Dolphins is based on the life of Juana Maria.

In 1939, archaeologists discovered Juana Maria's whale-bone hut on the highest point of the island. In 2009, two redwood cache boxes were discovered with 200 artifacts inside. In 2012, archaeologists found and uncovered an Indian cave. All are believed to be Juana Maria’s.

To learn more, see “The Lone Woman's Nicoleno Language”, article published by Susan L. Morris and associates in 2020.

Photographed by Craig Baker, 2017

3. Juana Maria Marker

The marker is near the round window on the bell tower, facing the cemetery.

Santa Barbara Mission image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, 2017

4. Santa Barbara Mission

Credits. This page was last revised on November 26, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 30, 2018. This page has been viewed 1,737 times since then and 140 times this year. Last updated on October 14, 2020, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 30, 2018, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.