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 wife Julia 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. Ford and his wife got off the ship and liked the city so much that they decided to stay. While in Nicaragua, Ford 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 Julia moved to Colorado, and even though Ford was not allowed to own his own mining claim, Ford was determined to succeed. He opened a barbershop, which burnt down shortly afterwards.
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 for African Americans and was a strong supporter of educating freed slaves.
Ford died in 1902 at the age of 80 and was honored with a stained–glass portrait in the Colorado State Capitol building in Denver.
With the onset of the Gold Rush in 1851, Ford and his new wife Julia 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. Ford and his wife got off the ship and liked the city so much that they decided to stay. While in Nicaragua, Ford 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 Julia moved to Colorado, and even though Ford was not allowed to own his own mining claim, Ford was determined to succeed. He opened a barbershop, which burnt down shortly afterwards.
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 for African Americans and was a strong supporter of educating freed slaves.
Ford died in 1902 at the age of 80 and was honored with a stained–glass portrait in the Colorado State Capitol building in Denver.