In a touching ceremony on Saturday, September 21, 2024, Clara Brown, one of Colorado’s most significant historical figures, was honored with the renaming of County Road Street to “Clara Brown Way.”
The event, held in front of a small crowd near St. James Church, was led by Central City Mayor Jeremy Fey, who proudly unveiled the new street sign. The gesture marked a symbolic acknowledgment of Brown's enduring legacy as a former enslaved woman who became a community leader, philanthropist, and one of Colorado's earliest African American pioneers.
Mayor Fey climbed onto a chair to remove the black cloth, revealing the shiny new sign.
The proclamation praised Brown’s “incredible spirit, perseverance, and generosity,” recognizing her success in business and real estate, and her efforts to support the community and help formerly enslaved individuals settle in Colorado.
The crowd applauded as “Clara Brown Way” was officially revealed, replacing the rather prosaically named “County Road Street.”
Brown arrived in Central City during the Gold Rush and established a successful laundry business. Through her hard work, she became one of the wealthiest women in the region.
Her contributions extended far beyond business; she played an essential role in building up the community, even helping to establish what would become St. James Church in 1859, the oldest Protestant congregation in Colorado still using its original building.
According to Pastor Jack Van Son, who has led St. James Church since 2022, Clara Brown wasn’t just a member of the church, but a driving force behind its construction.
“She funded nearly half of the building costs and rallied the community to support it,” Van Son explained during the ceremony. He noted that Brown, along with fellow former slave Jeremiah Lee, laid the foundations – both financially and spiritually – for the church, a legacy that still resonates today.
After her freedom, Brown worked tirelessly to reunite with her family, help former slaves relocate to Colorado, and contribute to her community. Her generosity made her a beloved figure, not just in Central City but across the state.
Following the unveiling, attendees gathered at the nearby Teller House garden for a special performance by the Central City Opera. The opera company performed scenes from Gabriel’s Daughter, a production inspired by Brown’s life.
The opera captures her incredible journey from enslavement to entrepreneurship, as well as her faith and determination. Composed by Henry Mollicone, Gabriel’s Daughter debuted at the Central City Opera in 2003 and tells the powerful story of Brown’s quest to find her daughter and her role as a symbol of hope and resilience during Colorado’s early days.
Mayor Fey expressed deep pride in renaming the street and said that Clara Brown’s life is woven into the fabric of Central City.
The street renaming, along with the opera performance, served as a profound reminder of Brown’s lasting impact on Central City and Colorado as a whole.
With the new street sign now standing tall, Clara Brown’s name will be a visible reminder of her enduring legacy for all who pass through — ensuring that her story will never be forgotten.
