Mission's oldest Indian came to a pitiful end

The Ohlone Indian had a baptismal name of Justiniano Roxas and he was one of the earliest inhabitants of the Missions which grew to include 500 people at its peak. The numbers declined rapidly over the next years and the Mission was eventually closed. Justiniano was seen on Pacific Avenue in his older years and the City Council has since made him an honorary Chief in recognition of his long tenure.
Creator: Margaret Koch
Source: Santa Cruz Sentinel
Date: 1985-12-10
Type: NEWS
Coverage:
  • 1980s
  • Santa Cruz
Identifier: FE-SC County-25

Citation

Koch, Margaret. “Mission's oldest Indian came to a pitiful end.” Santa Cruz Sentinel. 1985-12-10. SCPL Local History. https://history.santacruzpl.org/omeka/items/show/144278. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.