Known as the “Harlem of the West,” Five Points, Denver, CO was a predominately African American neighborhood. The community of nearly 6,000 residents included black doctors, lawyers, dentists, clergy, & railroad porters, as well as domestic workers. #CuratedByCommunity 
The major influx of African American residents came between 1911-1929, when restrictive housing covenants prohibited African Americans from buying properties elsewher. The community thrived with black owned businesses along Welton street. #CuratedByCommunity
In the 1920s, over 50,00 Coloradoans were in the Ku Klux Klan—one of the largest memberships in the nation. They used cross burnings and KKK marches to intimidate local African American residents. #CuratedByCommunity
Welton Street was home to over fifty bars and clubs, where jazz musicians Billie Holiday, Duke Ellington, Miles Davies, Dizzy Gillespie, and others performed. The Rossonian Hotel, built in 1912, was the only hotel African Americans could stay at in town. #CuratedByCommunity
Dr. Justina L. Ford was the first woman doctor in Denver. Despite her training, she was denied hospital privileges & membership to the American Medical Association. She still delivered over 7,000 babies in the Five Points community during her 50-year career. #CuratedByCommunity
Her former home and medical practice, now houses the Black American West Museum. The museum was founded in 1971 by Paul W. Stewart to preserve the history of African Americans in the West. Learn more: bit.ly/2PaKcwX #CuratedByCommunity
Our Digi-team is in Denver until November 11th! Schedule your 1:1 session to digitize photographs, video and film, or attend a program to learn how to preserve your historical treasures: bit.ly/2qjSMui #CuratedByCommunity
