Barney Launcelot Ford

(b. South Carolina 1822-d. Denver 1902; b. Riverside Cemetery).

Colorado’s first great leader of African-American heritage was born a slave. After becoming a prosperous Denver innkeeper, Ford helped his people by establishing literacy classes and seeking the vote for them. His People’s Restaurant still stands at 1514 Blake St., although his Ford’s and Inter-Ocean Hotels, also in lower downtown Denver, have been demolished. Barney served with William N. Byers and John Evans on the board of the Dime Savings Bank, became a member of the Colorado Association of Pioneers and was named in the city’s 1898 Social Register—the first Coloradan of color to be so honored. Joining the Summit County gold rush, Ford struck paydirt on "Barney Ford Hill" and established a still-standing house in Breckenridge. Ford, who is immortalized by a stained glass window at the Colorado Statehouse, did much to elevate Denver’s African-American community, which is among America’s most prosperous and best educated.

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