Dearfield Colony
Year Listed: 1999
County: Weld County
Status: PROGRESS
Context: Agriculture
Date Constructed: 1910-1930s
Significance:
This African-American dryland farming experiment of the early 20th century was inspired by the philosophical teachings of Booker T. Washington. Success in this community was foiled by the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl. Dearfield is now a National Historic District.
Threat When Listed:
Deterioration
Since Listing:
The project received $250,000 in state appropriations to create a vision plan for the site and stabilize the home of its founder, O.T. Jackson. Stabilization of the home was completed in 2002 through a partnership with the Black American West Museum & Heritage Center, Colorado Preservation, Inc., and Colorado State University's Architectural Preservation Institute. An archaeological study was completed on landholdings of the Black American West Museum in the district. Plans for maintenance, security, and acquisition have been completed. Colorado Preservation, Inc. and the Black American West Museum worked with owners of the historic filling station to stop demolition and donate the property, located at the main entrance to the site, to the museum. In November, 2004, the museum was able to acquire another lot by paying back taxes owed to Weld County. Colorado Preservation, Inc. is working with the Black American West Museum to acquire additional property in the historic district so that the museum can develop the site for interpretation. CPI has also recently submitted an amendment to the National Register that would include the filling station as a contributing building within the designated district. Even though the buildings have further deteriorated with time and ten new homes were built on the original property, organizations are coming together to save the site with road signs and interpretative markers currently in the works.
Last Updated:
July 2008