Dearfield, Colorado facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Dearfield Settlement
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Building in Dearfield
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 Location in Colorado
Location in the United States
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| Location | Weld County, Colorado |
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| Nearest city | Wiggins, Colorado |
| Area | 160 acres (65 ha) |
| Built | 1910 |
| Architectural style | False front |
| NRHP reference No. | 95001002 |
| Added to NRHP | August 4, 1995 |
Dearfield is a special place in Weld County, Colorado, United States. It's known as an extinct town or "ghost town" because most people have moved away. It was once a thriving community built by and for African Americans. Dearfield is about 30 miles (48 km) east of Greeley.
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What is Dearfield?
Dearfield was founded by a man named Oliver Toussaint Jackson. He was a successful businessman from Boulder, Colorado. Jackson had a dream to create a new home for African Americans. He wanted them to have their own community where they could live and work together.
How Dearfield Started
In 1910, Oliver Toussaint Jackson claimed the land that would become Dearfield. He then invited people to come and settle there. One of the first citizens, Dr. J.H.P. Westbrook from Denver, suggested the name "Dearfield." He chose "dear" because the land and the community were very precious to the people who settled there.
Life in Dearfield
The first settlers in Dearfield faced many challenges. It was hard to farm the land, and they went through some difficult seasons. But they worked together and built their community.
Growing the Town
By 1920, Dearfield had grown quite a bit. There were between 200 and 300 people living there. The town had two churches, a school, and even a restaurant. In 1921, the town was valued at over $1 million, which was a huge amount of money back then! This shows how successful the community had become.
The Decline of Dearfield
After the good times of the 1920s, the Great Depression hit. This was a very difficult time for the whole country, and it affected Dearfield too. Farming became much harder, and people struggled to make a living.
People Leave Dearfield
Because of the tough times, settlers began to leave Dearfield. They had to find better opportunities in other places. By 1940, only 12 people were left in the town. Oliver Toussaint Jackson tried very hard to get people interested in Dearfield again, even offering to sell the town. But sadly, not many people were interested. Jackson passed away on February 18, 1948.
Dearfield Today
Even though most people have left, a few buildings still stand in Dearfield. You can see an old gas station, a diner, and the home of the founder, Oliver Toussaint Jackson.
Protecting History
In 1995, Dearfield was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's recognized as an important historical site. In 1998, the Black American West Museum in Denver started working to help preserve the town. Dearfield is also a Colorado Registered Historic Landmark. In 2010, a monument was placed next to one of the remaining buildings, sharing information about the town's history.
Historical Marker
There's also a state historical marker from 2001 near Evans, Colorado, on U.S. Route 85. It includes a sign that tells the story of Dearfield.
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