Colorado State Capitol Virtual Tour
Barney Ford
Born a slave in Virginia, Barney Ford taught himself how to read and write. At the age
of twenty five he ran away from slavery to Chicago, and two years later headed west to
seek his fortune. Ford went to Nicaragua and became owner of two hotels, but when slavery
was restored there, Barney and his wife returned to Chicago to help slaves escape into
free Canada. In 1858 Ford headed west again, but this time he went to Denver. By the time
the 13th Amendment passed in 1865, Ford was already being called the "Black Baron of
Colorado." Not only was Barney Ford a successful miner, but he also owned three
successful restaurants and a barbershop. He was a leading activist for the rights of
African-Americans, and was a prominent member of the Republican Election Commission. Ford
was also the first black man to sit on a Grand Jury in Colorado and is responsible for
ensuring that the State Constitution allowed "all males" the right to vote.
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Capitol Virtual Tour
last modified June 20, 2003
