Clara Brown

Clara Brown (January 1, 1800 – October 23, 1885) was a former enslaved woman from Virginia and Kentucky who became a community leader and philanthropist. She helped formerly enslaved people become settled during Colorado's Gold Rush. She was known as the "Angel of the Rockies" and made her mark as "Colorado's first black settler and a prosperous entrepreneur".

Brown, born in Virginia in 1800, (Brown is said by Varnell to have been born on January 1, 1800.) Shirley states she was born about 1803.

In 1835, Brown's owner, Ambrose Smith, died. To settle the estate, Brown's family were sold separately at a slave auction, after which they were sent to different, distant locations. A plantation owner from Kentucky, George Brown, sensed her intelligence and strength and placed high bids to attain her.

Freedom

Cropped detail of stereoscope: Central City, Colorado Territory, by W. G. Chamberlain (William Gunnison)thumb Central City Opera House, a chair memorializes Clara Brown. An opera about her life story, Gabriel's Daughter, was presented in 2003thumb At the age of 56, Clara Brown was granted her freedom, as stipulated in George Brown's will. She left the state upon receiving her freedom according to a Kentucky law.

Kentucky to Colorado Brown was hired as a maid and cook by a family heading to the westward departure point of Leavenworth in Kansas Territory. From there, Brown was hired by Colonel Benjamin Wadsworth in April 1859 to work on a wagon train as a cook for 26 men. It was a hot, difficult eight-week journey to Denver, made more uncomfortable by the complaints of a southern man about a black woman traveling with them. Brown is believed to be Colorado’s gold rush first African American woman.

Brown was inducted into the Colorado Women's Hall of Fame in 1989 and on January 27, 2022, she was inducted into the Colorado Business Hall of Fame.