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relations with the military had improved. Shortly thereafter, however, the problems that occurred would hamper the vitality of the mission life. It had the lowest Indian population of all the missions, never more than 523. The most serious problem was the development of the pueblo named Branciforte, located across the river from the mission. It was named after the Viceroy Branciforte and was California's first real estate development, developed in the spirit of similar sounding promotions of some present day schemes. The developer, Governor Diego de Borica lured settlers to the land with promises of houses and fields to work on, however, houses were not built. In addition, many of the settlers who came were of an unsavory character, with an aversion to working. Instead, there was much gambling and drinking and other pursuits of entertainmnt. The padres had protested the development, since it was against Spanish law to place a new settlement the distance of one league of a mission. Nonetheless, the Governor demanded that the padres assist the newcomers. In order to distance the neophytes from the new settlers, the padres became extremely strict, thus, leading to many Indian runaways. Many of the Indians that entered Branciforte, also took to drinking and gambling. Some were even made to do the hard labor for the citizens of Branciforte.
In 1818, fear of the notorious Hippolyte de Bouchard, led the padres to lead their neophytes to the hills to hide. During their departure, the Governor had ordered the citizens of Branciforte to care for the mission's belongings. Although Bouchard never arrived, it was the citizens of Branciforte who looted the mission of all its food, supplies and valuables, then went so far as to vandalize it. Father Olbes, the padre in charge, was so furious that he suggested abandoning the mission. Fortunately, he was pursuaded to carry on.
Mission Santa Cruz was among the first missions to be secularized. Its lands were sold and the Indians dispersed. The mission quickly fell into disrepair. In 1857, an earthquake destroyed the church. In 1931, a small replica of the mission was built near its original site. The City of Santa Cruz occupies the site of the old mission and Branciforte is only a street name.
Present day location: In Santa Cruz, at Emmet Street and High Street. Mission Santa Cruz, 126 High St., Santa Cruz, CA 95060, (831) 426-5686
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