Barney L. Ford Building
N 39° 45.001 W 104° 59.990
13S E 500014 N 4400012
This building once belonged to a black leader, now it is an Indian food restaurant.
Waymark Code: WM153J
Location: Colorado, United States
Date Posted: 01/17/2007
Views: 101
The building at 1514 Blake Street was one of the earliest commercial successes for Barney L. Ford, a pivotal black leader in the early history of Colorado. Ford was a black pioneer, businessman, civic leader and politician who actively fought for African American civil rights in his state. Born January 22, 1822 in Stafford, Virginia, Ford grew up as a slave on a South Carolina plantation but escaped to Chicago. He became active in the abolition movement while in Chicago after meeting Henry O. Wagoner, an active member of the Underground Railroad. Ford later married Wagoner's sister-in-law Julia.
In 1860 the Fords moved to Colorado. Ford purchased land on Blake Street in Denver and built a small building there only to have it destroyed by fire the following year. He rebuilt the current brick building in which was located a restaurant, bar, barber shop and hair salon. From this initial business venture, Ford expanded his commercial holdings steadily. By 1854, Ford was generating the 14th highest income in the state of Colorado, the result of his numerous income-producing properties, including hotels in Denver and Cheyenne, Wyoming. Ford played a significant role in the admission of Colorado to the Union as a free state. A member of the Republican party, Ford was the first African American to be nominated to the Territorial Legislature. In 1865, Ford successfully lobbied the Federal government for black voting rights in Colorado, enlisting the support of Senator Charles Sumner of Massachusetts.
(All text for this waymark was copied from the NPS Underground Railroad website.)
This building is now home to an Indian food restaurant named "India House Restaurant." Their website:http://www.indiahouse.us/
Address:
1514 Blake Street
Denver, CO USA
80202
Web site: [Web Link]
Open to the public?: Public
Name of organization who placed the marker: Denver Lower Downtown District
Site Details: Not listed
|
Visit Instructions:
Provide an original photo of the building and/or marker, and describe your visit.