Berthoud Weekly Surveyor February 7, 2013 Page A7

& MAKE IT A GREAT DAY

oday, Breckenridge, Colo., may be best known for skiing, but 150 years ago it was a destination for gold miners. Officially founded in 1859, by the following year Breckenridge had a post office, and by 1861 the town My boasted several View Surveyor Columnist saloons, hotels and stores. There were bumps along the road, and by 1870, due to the changing face of the mining industry, Breckenridges population Heidi had dwindled Kerr-Schlaefer to just 51 hearty souls. However, the towns fortunes changed when silver and lead carbonates were discovered in the area and people flocked back to the region. By 1880 the town was a business and cultural hub and home to over 1,600 residents.

Who was Barney Ford?

It was during this time that Barney Ford arrived in Breckenridge, an entrepreneur and business man who also happened to be a former slave. Ford was the son of a white southern land owner, and a black slave, although the land owner never acknowledged Ford as his son. Born in 1822, Ford eventually escaped slavery via the Underground Railroad to Chicago where he met and married Julia Lyon. While on their way to California, the Fords ship stopped in Nicaragua, and they decided to stay. They opened the United States Hotel and a restaurant near the Panama Canal. Threats of war in

The Barney Ford House Museum in Breckenridge, Colo.

Photo by Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer

Sudoku is a number placing puzzle based on a 9x9 grid with several given numbers. The object is to place the numbers 1 to 9 in the empty squares so that each row, each column and each 3x3 box contains the same number only once.

the region prompted the couple to move on, and they landed in Breckenridge where Ford joined the throngs of individuals seeking their fortune in gold. However, a crooked lawyer took advantage of Ford and his gold mining ambitions were cut short. Not to be discouraged, the Fords moved to Denver where they opened a string of businesses, the most successful being a large hotel at 16th Street and Blake Avenue. He returned to Breckenridge in 1879 a successful businessman. He started several businesses, and the Fords were soon one of the wealthiest families in town. The house Ford had built at 111 E. Washington St. was quite fancy for its time, although by todays standards it is quaint and rather small; just two bedrooms and no kitchen. The home was built without a kitchen because Ford owned the restaurant next door, and the family took all their meals there. Guests of the Barney Ford House Museum can expect to spend about an hour browsing the artifacts and learning about Fords life. Sadly, there is little left in the home that is original to the Ford family. There are several reasons for this, one being that the Fords moved back to Denver later in life, and the house went through many owners after their departure. In fact, some of Breckenridges most famous families lived there, and you can learn a little about them at the museum as well. The Barney Ford House Museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is free, but a $5 donation is suggested. The museum is operated by the Breckenridge Heritage Alliance, and you can find them online at www. breckheritage.com.

beatcalendar
Boulder Dinner Theatre 42nd Street Through Feb. 16 303-449-6000 bouldersdinnertheatre.com 5501 Arapahoe Ave., Boulder Candlelight Dinner Playhouse The Unsinkable Molly Brown Through March 30 970-744-3747 coloradocandlelight.com 4747 Marketplace Dr., Johnstown Jesters Dinner Theatre & School for the Performing Arts Aladdin (Childrens Theater) Through Feb. 9 Encore Piano Bar & Comedy Club Every Friday night 303-682-9980 jesterstheatre.com 224 Main St., Longmont Rialto Theater La Bohme by Giacomo Puccini Presented by Loveland Opera Theatre Feb. 15, 7:30 p.m., Main-stage tickets: $28 adult, $22 senior/student, $18 children under 12 970-962-2000 228 E. Fourth St., Loveland For additional performances: www.ci.loveland.co.us/index. aspx?page=1038&recordid=45321

BUSINESS & SERVICE DIRECTORY

CROSSWORD SOLUTION SUDOKU SOLUTION
Business & Service Directory ads are only $20 per week. Call 970-532-2252 to place your ad today.