How many Indians lived in mission Santa Barbara?
The mission Santa Barbara was established by the Spanish in 1786 and was one of the 21 missions built in California by the Franciscan friars. The primary purpose of the missions was to convert the native population to Christianity and introduce Spanish culture and language. Over the years, thousands of Native Americans lived and worked at mission Santa Barbara. During its peak population, the mission was home to around 1,000 Chumash Indians. The Chumash were the indigenous people of the region and were heavily involved in the mission's activities, such as farming, livestock raising, and construction. The mission also provided education and religious instruction to the Chumash community. It is important to note that the mission system had a significant impact on the lives and culture of the native population, and the presence of the mission often resulted in the displacement and assimilation of indigenous communities.