Oliver Toussaint Jackson

Oliver Toussaint "O.T." Jackson (April 6, 1862 – February 8, 1948) was an American businessman and entrepreneur, who, inspired by Booker T. Washington's autobiography Up from Slavery, formed Dearfield, Colorado, founded a self-sufficient agricultural settlement for African-Americans. Prior to this venture, Jackson was a successful owner of several restaurant and catering businesses in Denver and Boulder.

Early life Oliver Toussaint Jackson was born on April 6, 1862, in Oxford, Ohio. He was one of eight children born to Hezekiah Jackson and his wife Virginia Caroline Chavous, who were born in Virginia as free people of color before the Civil War. He was educated in Ohio and was entrepreneurial from an early age. He began his career in 1876 working at restaurants in Cleveland, Ohio and became a caterer. of composer Will Marion Cook. In December 1892, he opened the Stillman Cafe and Ice Cream Parlor on 13th St. in Boulder. The cafe was described as "one of the most select dining resorts and one not usually found outside of metropolitan cities." Jackson fully embraced Washington's views and lobbied Governor Shafroth for support of his plan for an agricultural settlement for black Americans. By 1921, Dearfield was valued at $750,000 and had a population of 700. Jackson sought to capitalize on the town's success by erecting a cannery and soap factory. Jackson stayed, seeking a young black man to reestablish the community. Dearfield became a ghost town after the last resident left in 1973, and the site was included in the National Register of Historic Places in 1995.