The African American farm colony of Dearfield, Colorado, was founded in 1910 by businessman and messenger of the Colorado Governor’s Office, Oliver Toussaint Jackson.
Eventually, the development of 17,000 acres of homesteaded farms and ranches was coordinated by Jackson from the town of Dearfield, organized in 1913. Both the colony and town were inspired by Booker T. Washington’s vision of self-sufficiency and economic empowerment. Located in southeastern Weld County, Dearfield flourished as a thriving town and colony community with dozens of families, farms, and businesses. Though it declined during the Great Depression and Dust Bowl, Dearfield's legacy remains a powerful example of Black perseverance, entrepreneurship, and community-building in the American West.
Today, the Black American West Museum & Heritage Center, in collaboration with academic and preservation partners led by the museum's Dearfield Preservation Committee, based in Greeley, Colorado, leads the Dearfield Dream Project—a long-term effort to preserve, research, and restore the Dearfield townsite and explore the history of the colony and its former citizens. This work includes archaeological studies, building restorations, and the development of educational resources aimed at honoring and sharing the story of Dearfield with future generations.
Our ultimate goal is to see Dearfield designated as a National Historic Site within the National Park Service, creating a lasting monument to its national significance in African American history.
