Dearfield, Colorado, Weld County: Once a thriving African American agricultural colony, Dearfield is now a haunting reminder of dreams unfulfilled and the relentless pursuit of freedom. Below is detailed information about the town.
County: Weld County
Zip Code: 80645
Latitude / Longitude: 40.3167° N, 104.3572° W
Elevation: 4,875 feet
Time Zone: Mountain Standard Time (MST)
Established: 1910
Disestablished: Not officially disestablished, but largely abandoned by the 1940s
Comments: Dearfield was founded by Oliver Toussaint Jackson to create a self-sufficient African American community. It flourished in the 1910s and 1920s, peaking at around 200 residents, with homes, a school, and a church.
However, the Great Depression and Dust Bowl conditions severely impacted the area’s agricultural viability, leading to its decline.
Dearfield is a ghost town and a historically black majority settlement in Weld County, Colorado, United States. It is 30 miles (48 km) east of Greeley. The town was formed by Oliver T. Jackson who desired to create a colony for African Americans.
In 1910, Jackson, a successful businessman from Boulder, filed on the homestead that later became the town and began to advertise for “colonists.” The name Dearfield was suggested by one of the town’s citizens, Dr. J.H.P. Westbrook who was from Denver.
The word dear was chosen as the foundation for the town’s name due to the precious value of the land and community to the town’s settlers.
Remains: Several structures from the original settlement still stand, including a few houses, the gas station, and the café, which serve as poignant relics of the past. Given their historical significance, efforts have been made to preserve these buildings.
The first settlers of Dearfield had great difficulty farming the surrounding pasture and endured several harsh seasons. However, by 1921, 700 people lived in Dearfield. The town’s net worth was appraised at $1,075,000. After several prosperous years, the Great Depression arrived and the town’s agricultural success significantly declined.
Settlers began to leave Dearfield in order to find better opportunities. By 1940, the town population had decreased to 12, only 2% of the town’s 1921 population. Jackson desperately attempted to spur interest in the town, even offering it for sale. However, there was little interest in Dearfield. Jackson died on February 18, 1948.
Current Status: Dearfield is considered a ghost town, with no permanent residents. However, it is a site of historical interest, attracting visitors and preservationists interested in its unique history.
A few deserted buildings remain in Dearfield: a gas station, a diner, and the founder’s home. In 1998, Black American West Museum in Denver began attempting to preserve the town’s site. It is a Colorado Registered Historic Landmark.
A 2010 monument next to one of the remaining buildings contains information about the site’s history.
Remarks: Dearfield represents an important chapter in African American history and the pursuit of prosperity and autonomy. The town is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and ongoing initiatives aim to preserve its legacy and educate the public about its historical significance.
