Barney L. Ford Building (Denver, Colorado)

 NRHP - National Register of Historic Places, commercial building

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Historic commercial building listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP).

Built: c. 1863
Alterations: Third story added in 1892
Areas of significance: Black Ethnic Heritage; Social History
Area: less than 1 acre
Also known as: Barney Ford's People's Restaurant
Date added to NRHP: 6/24/1976
Other designations: listed on the Colorado State Register of Historic Properties
Notes: Barney L. Ford was an African-American businessman who was born into slavery in Stafford, Virginia. As an adult, Ford escaped via the Underground Railroad to Chicago and made his way to Denver after becoming active in the abolitionist movement. He first rented and then purchased this commercial building, in which he ran a restaurant, bar and barber shop. Ford went on to become a successful real estate developer, but he also remained an active civic leader, getting elected to the Territorial Legislature and playing an important role in the push for Colorado's admission to the Union as a free state. This building is the only remaining structure associated with Barney Ford's life.