She lived in near-total isolation for close to two decades. By the time she was found, her native language had disappeared.
Published in 1960, the children’s book “Island of the Blue Dolphins” told the story of a local boy trying to survive alone on a remote island. Did you know that the plot of this novel was inspired by a real event? A woman named Juana Maria, whose real name is unknown, lived alone on a deserted island for 20 years and inspired this children’s book.
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Born on October 19, 1853, a woman named Juana Maria made history as the lone woman of San Nicolas Island in California. Estimated to be the last member of the indigenous Nicoleno tribe on San Nicolas Island in 19th century California, Maria lived alone on a deserted island for 20 years. As the last person to speak the Nicoleno language, she left her name in gold letters in historical records.
Subject Of Legends
At the time Maria was born, the San Nicolas Islands were inhabited by various autonomous Native American groups, each with its own distinct language and culture. California was not yet part of the US territory, but was annexed to the mainland in 1848 as part of a peace treaty following the Mexican-American War. In the early 19th century, the indigenous population began to emigrate from the islands. The Nicolenos were the last to leave their island. It is not known for certain why Maria did not leave her island. According to legend, she was taken to the rescue boat with her baby, but because she had a child, she was thrown off the boat and had to swim to shore. When she returned to the shore, she lost her baby.
She Made a House Out Of Whale Bones and a Dress Out of Bird Feathers
During her solitary stay on the island, Juana Maria created a natural life for herself. She built huts from whale bones and sewed dresses from the feathers she collected. Following the relocation of the Nicolenos, accounts of Juana Maria’s lonely existence on the island spread to the Santa Barbara harbor area of California. Therefore, efforts were made to organize operations to rescue the lone woman on the mainland. Thus, Captain Nidever decided to postpone their return and search for this mysterious woman.
In 1853, Maria was living in a hut made of whale bones. Seven weeks after she was brought back to the mainland, she died at the age of 42. The cause of death was given as dysentery. Unable to adjust to the dynamics of the modern world, Maria’s life on the mainland was short-lived.
