Colorado Pioneer, former slave, and innkeeper. Colorado's first great African-American was born enslaved and is best known for his work to improve civil rights in early Colorado history. He lived in Chicago for a time and was active in Chicago's Underground Railroad with John and Mary Jones, Henry O. Wagoner (who became his brother-in-law) and others. On August 9, 1849, he married Julia Ann Lyons, whose sister Susan had married Wagoner. Joining the gold rush, Ford struck pay dirt on "Barney Ford Hill" (formerly "Nigger Hill") and built a house in Breckenridge that still stands today. After becoming a prosperous Denver innkeeper, Ford helped Negros by establishing literacy classes and seeking the vote for them. When the 13th Amendment passed in 1865, Ford was already known as the "Black Baron of Colorado." His People's Restaurant still stands at 1514 Blake St., although his Ford's and Inter-Ocean Hotels, also in lower downtown Denver, have since been demolished. Ford served with William N. Byers and former governor John Evans on the board of the Dime Savings Bank; was a prominent member of the Republican Election Commission; became a member of the Colorado Association of Pioneers; was instrumental in ensuring that equal voting rights for all citizens became a part of Colorado's constitution in 1876. He was the first Coloradan of color included in Denver's 1898 Social Register. A stained glass window at the Colorado Statehouse immortalizes Ford who worked hard to elevate Denver's African-American community, among America's most prosperous and best educated. He was also the first black man to sit on a Grand Jury in Colorado.
Colorado Pioneer, former slave, and innkeeper. Colorado's first great African-American was born enslaved and is best known for his work to improve civil rights in early Colorado history. He lived in Chicago for a time and was active in Chicago's Underground Railroad with John and Mary Jones, Henry O. Wagoner (who became his brother-in-law) and others. On August 9, 1849, he married Julia Ann Lyons, whose sister Susan had married Wagoner. Joining the gold rush, Ford struck pay dirt on "Barney Ford Hill" (formerly "Nigger Hill") and built a house in Breckenridge that still stands today. After becoming a prosperous Denver innkeeper, Ford helped Negros by establishing literacy classes and seeking the vote for them. When the 13th Amendment passed in 1865, Ford was already known as the "Black Baron of Colorado." His People's Restaurant still stands at 1514 Blake St., although his Ford's and Inter-Ocean Hotels, also in lower downtown Denver, have since been demolished. Ford served with William N. Byers and former governor John Evans on the board of the Dime Savings Bank; was a prominent member of the Republican Election Commission; became a member of the Colorado Association of Pioneers; was instrumental in ensuring that equal voting rights for all citizens became a part of Colorado's constitution in 1876. He was the first Coloradan of color included in Denver's 1898 Social Register. A stained glass window at the Colorado Statehouse immortalizes Ford who worked hard to elevate Denver's African-American community, among America's most prosperous and best educated. He was also the first black man to sit on a Grand Jury in Colorado.
Bio by: Fred Beisser
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