The Forgotten Legacy of the Ghost Town of Dearfield

The ghost town of Dearfield lies on a remote stretch of Highway 34 east of Greeley, Colorado. Neglected for decades, the ramshackle ruins that remain do little to testify to the historical significance of this former farming community. Established in 1910, Dearfield reflected the African-American dream of self-sufficiency and was once known as one of the most successful African-American agricultural communities in the United States.

Inspired by Booker T. Washington's advice to get a home and property of his own, O.T. Jackson dreamed of establishing a self-sufficient African-American community on the eastern plains of Colorado. Jackson, an entrepreneur from Boulder, visioned a prosperous agricultural settlement, similar to Greeley's Union Colony, made up of African-Americans.

Using the Homestead Act of 1909, Jackson filed a desert homestead claim of 320 acres located near a Union Pacific Railroad station in Weld County. The nearby railroad would help to ensure the future community's success in marketing its produce. Believing that the land would remain dear to the colony's residents, the name Dearfield was chosen.

Seven families called Dearfield home by 1911. However, life was difficult for the early settlers. Having little money when they set up their homesteads, only two of the seven families were able to build cabins. The rest of the families lived in tents or dugouts. Wood was scarce, so buffalo chips and sagebrush were used as fuel. The first winter was severe. Several horses were lost due to starvation while others were too weak to pull wagons.

The first few seasons presented difficulty for the settlers of Dearfield as they struggled with water shortages farming the dry plains. Refusing to give up on their dream, the hardy residents persevered through the hardships as they experimented with dry farming until Dearfield became prosperous. By 1915, more homestead acres were filed nearby as 595 acres were cultivated with oats, sugar beets, squash, watermelons, potatoes, corn, and more.

At this point, Dearfield's population consisted of 111 people living in forty-four cabins. Dearfield boasted a restaurant, grocery store, lodge, boarding house, school, gas station, and two churches along with a dance pavilion. By 1920, seven hundred African-Americans called Dearfield home. At its peak, Dearfield was valued at $750,000 with over 15,000 cultivated acres. Jackson's dream of a self-sufficient African-American community had indeed become a reality!

There is an absence of irrigation and a heavy dependence on precipitation in dry farming. The onset of the Great Depression and the droughts of the Dust Bowl brought an end to Dearfield. By 1940, only 12 people remained in this once thriving community. The Dust Bowl's dry winds blew away Jackson's dreams and turned Dearfield to dust.

Jackson clung to hope and remained in Dearfield operating the gas station and running the diner until illness prevented him from doing so in 1946. He passed away in 1948 leaving his niece, Jenny Jackson, the sole resident of Dearfield until her death in 1973.

The ghost town of Dearfield represents a significant part of Colorado and African-American history. A symbol of empowerment, Dearfield was an inspiration of success in a time period when African-Americans were marginalized.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1995, Dearfield was placed on Colorado's Most Endangered Places list in 1999. Although some attempts have been made at stabilization, most of the remaining structures in Dearfield are in a huge state of disrepair. This significant part of history remains in danger of being lost to time.

To Visit The Ghost Town Of Dearfield:

Follow Highway 34 east of Greeley for 24 miles. Don't blink or you will miss the Dearfield sign on the right.

Interlaken: A Ghost-Town Resort On The Shore of Twin Lakes

The historic resort of Interlaken once rivaled Aspen as the place to be for the elite in Colorado. Situated on the south shore of Twin Lakes, this luxury resort was popular during the late 1800s. 

Boasting a two-story hotel, tavern, and a pool hall, Interlaken gave visitors a comforting taste of rustic, western living. Amenities included horseback riding, hunting, cruising in steam-powered boats, and trout fishing in the tranquil waters of Twin Lakes. Visitors at this prestigious resort enjoyed ballroom dancing as well as fine cuisine. 

Interlaken, originally named Lakeside Resort, was built in 1879 by John Statley and Charles Thomas. The struggling Lakeside Resort was sold to James Dexter in 1883 who renamed it the Inter-Laken Hotel.

Dreaming of success with the panoramic views surrounding Twin Lakes, Dexter quickly enlarged the hotel complex keeping the comfort of his future guests in mind. Interlaken soon boasted some of the best amenities of its time including two six-sided outhouses with leather seats – each side with its own separate room and private door. On-site laundry services were also provided to accommodate guests.

Dexter, a wealthy mine investor, built a unique two-story home for himself near the resort in the mid-1890s. Sparing no expense, the glass-enclosed cupola atop the second story of the square structure provided Dexter with panoramic views. 

The interior, filled with imported woods to create a deep, rich tone, testified to Dexter’s lavish lifestyle.

 Reflecting Dexter’s nautical background, the home became known simply as Dexter’s Cabin although mansion seems more accurate.

Leadville, once considered to be the second largest city in Colorado because of its mining success, was located only 18 miles from Twin Lakes. Eager to escape the smoke and noise of bustling Leadville, vacationers flocked to the tranquility of Twin Lakes. Certainly the most expensive hotel in the area, Interlaken attracted wealthy visitors from many states as well as some international guests charging up to $4 a day for the use of its famed facilities.

However, visitation began to decline after the construction of the Twin Lakes Dam in 1896 which flooded the only road to the resort. Although still accessible by boat, the stagnant, shallow water that remained was associated with malaria and other unfortunate diseases. Gradually, Interlaken lost its status and success. After twenty-five years of operation, the once prestigious resort at the base of Mt. Elbert was abandoned to the elements and fell into deterioration.

Although the Interlaken Hotel and Resort site was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974, the crumbling buildings remained neglected. Listed as one of Colorado’s most endangered places in 2001 by Colorado Preservation, reconstruction and stabilization efforts did not begin until 2004. Mostly volunteer-based, this preservation has been an outgoing project since then.

Today, the only building that visitors may enter is Dexter’s Cabin which has been completely restored to its former magnificence and is open to the public. 

However, visitors are free to wander this historic site and view the remaining buildings: the grand two-story hotel, six-sided outhouse, the stable, and ice house just to name a few. Several interpretive signs are displayed near the buildings informing visitors of the history of this grand site.

The Hike:

To reach the ghost-town resort of Interlaken, follow the CO trail west along the south side of Twin Lakes for 1.3 miles until you reach a junction. CO Trail East branches to the left while CO Trail West continues straight. Go straight following CO Trail West until Dexter’s Cabin is reached at 2.2 miles after approximately 550 feet of elevation gain along the way. The wrap-around porch of Dexter’s Cabin is a great place to enjoy a picnic and the amazing scenery surrounding this historical site.

Directions:

From Leadville: Follow Highway 24 East for 15 miles to the intersection of CO 82. Head west on CO 82 toward the town of Twin Lakes. After 0.8 mile, turn left on gravel road CR 25. Follow CR 25 to the Colorado Trail parking area located on the banks of Twin Lakes.