Entry No. 19 — the Fort Collins file — filed under: outdoor

Dearfield Ghost Town

In 1910, Oliver Toussaint Jackson filed a homestead claim on the Weld County plains and built the largest Black agricultural colony in Colorado. At its 1921 peak, Dearfield held 300 residents, two churches, a school, a restaurant, a concrete-block factory, and farmland yielding sugar beets, alfalfa, and watermelons through dry-farming techniques. The Great Depression and Dust Bowl collapsed the community; by 1940 only twelve people remained, and Jackson died in 1948 as the last holdout. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1995, the site preserves three original structures — a gas station, a diner, and Jackson's own home — alongside a 2010 monument that contextualizes what was once appraised at over one million dollars.

The move: Drive out on a flat-sky plains afternoon, read the monument together, and walk slowly around the three surviving buildings. The remoteness and silence give the history real weight — bring snacks and plan to talk on the drive home about what you saw.

📍 Before you go No facilities, shade, or services on site — bring water and sunscreen. The site sits on open plains and can be intensely hot in summer. Two-wheel-drive vehicles handle the access fine. The Black American West Museum in Denver manages preservation efforts; checking their site before visiting is worthwhile. No admission fee. Year-round access. From Fort Collins, budget about 1.5 hours each way via I-25 south to US-34 east.

• 📍 Orchard (Weld County)
• 💸 $$
• ⚡ Up for anything
• 🌗 Indoors

Where: 42468 US-34, Orchard, CO 80649

Hours: Added 2026-06-11 — confirm current hours before you go.

Plan a visit & invite your people →

Proof: source 1 · source 2 · source 3 · source 4

last checked: 2026-06-11