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What a wonderful place to live! Happy #coloradoday

Did you guess 15th and Blake to our TBT question?  If so, you're correct! Barney L Ford originally built the building now occupied by Hapa Sushi in 1863, a black pioneer and one of the state's most influential black business owners and civic leaders.

Barney L Ford was born into slavery, escaped to Chicago, and eventually made his way to Breckenridge, Colorado, during the 1860 gold rush.  After being run off his claim, he settled in Denver. In 1862 he bought and operated a barbershop that burnt in the fire of 1863.   Ford secured $9,000 from Banker Luther Kountze to rebuild and expand into a two-story brick building.  In the basement of the building was a barbershop, and on the main and second floors was the People's Restaurant.  Ford offered oysters, lemons, and Havana Cigars. He was so successful that he repaid his entire loan in the three months following the opening.

Ford purchased the Sargent Hotel on Larimer St. in 1872, renamed to Ford's Hotel, and purchased several other lots on Blake and 16th St. In 1873, he built the Inter-Ocean Hotel, on Larimer, the finest hotel in Denver when it opened in 1873.

He is also credited with establishing the first adult education classes in Denver, and he became the first black man to serve on a federal grand jury in Colorado.    He was an active member of the Republican Party and was the first black man to be nominated to the Colorado Territorial Legislature.  While he did suffer some financial setbacks, he returned back to Breckenridge during the silver boom.  There he opened another popular restaurant, Ford's Chop House, and In 1882, he built a home in the wealthy residential district in Breckenridge, which still stands today.  He died in 1902 in Denver.

What’s your guess? It’s time for TBT-LoDo Edi

In 1859 Charles Blake and Andrew Williams built De

What do you know about the Elephant Corral? This

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