Barney Ford
Born January 22, 1822 in Virginia, Barney Ford grew up a slave. At 17, Ford traveled the Underground Railroad to Chicago, teaching himself how to read and write along the way. Once there, he began helping other slaves escape to freedom.
With the onset of the Gold Rush in 1851, Ford and his new married wife decided to move to California. Traveling by ship, they stopped in a town in Nicaragua, for a few days to pick up supplies and passengers. Barney and Julia got off the ship and liked the city so much that they decided to stay. While in Nicaragua, Barney and his wife opened a successful hotel and restaurant.
Ford was a visionary, and despite warnings of discrimination, he saw opportunities in the American West. He and his wife moved to Colorado, and even though Ford was not allowed to own his own mining claim, he was determined to succeed, so he opened a barbershop, only to have it burnt down shortly after.
Despite adversity and numerous setbacks, Ford opened three more businesses: the People’s Restaurant, the Inter-Ocean Hotel, and the Ford Hotel. The Ford Building in downtown Denver is still in use today. After success in business, Ford fought for civil and voting rights of African Americans, and was a strong supporter of educating freed slaves.
Ford died in 1902 at the age of eighty, and was honored with a stained–glass portrait in the Colorado State Capitol building in Denver.
Sources:
Adapted from “Barney Ford—From Plantation Slave to Denver Leader” by David F. Halaas, Colorado History NOW, October 2000.
“Barney Ford Biography.” Denver Public Schools. Barney Ford Elementary School. http://ford.wikispaces.dpsk12.org/Barney+Ford+Biography
“Barney Ford House Museum.” Summit Historical Society: Historic Sites. http://www.summithistorical.org/barneyfordhouse.htm
With the onset of the Gold Rush in 1851, Ford and his new married wife decided to move to California. Traveling by ship, they stopped in a town in Nicaragua, for a few days to pick up supplies and passengers. Barney and Julia got off the ship and liked the city so much that they decided to stay. While in Nicaragua, Barney and his wife opened a successful hotel and restaurant.
Ford was a visionary, and despite warnings of discrimination, he saw opportunities in the American West. He and his wife moved to Colorado, and even though Ford was not allowed to own his own mining claim, he was determined to succeed, so he opened a barbershop, only to have it burnt down shortly after.
Despite adversity and numerous setbacks, Ford opened three more businesses: the People’s Restaurant, the Inter-Ocean Hotel, and the Ford Hotel. The Ford Building in downtown Denver is still in use today. After success in business, Ford fought for civil and voting rights of African Americans, and was a strong supporter of educating freed slaves.
Ford died in 1902 at the age of eighty, and was honored with a stained–glass portrait in the Colorado State Capitol building in Denver.
Sources:
Adapted from “Barney Ford—From Plantation Slave to Denver Leader” by David F. Halaas, Colorado History NOW, October 2000.
“Barney Ford Biography.” Denver Public Schools. Barney Ford Elementary School. http://ford.wikispaces.dpsk12.org/Barney+Ford+Biography
“Barney Ford House Museum.” Summit Historical Society: Historic Sites. http://www.summithistorical.org/barneyfordhouse.htm
