Clara Brown: A Case Study in Post-Emancipation Mobility for Black Women Pioneers

Clara Brown, a figure often referred to as the “Angel of the Rockies,” represents a significant case in the study of Black women’s experiences in the post-emancipation American West. Her life, spanning nearly 85 years, offers valuable insights into the socio-economic challenges and opportunities faced by formerly enslaved individuals during the 19th century. Brown’s journey from slavery to becoming one of the first Black women to settle in Colorado highlights the complex interplay between race, gender, and economic agency in a frontier society.

Early Life and Enslavement in Virginia

Clara Brown was born into slavery around 1800 in Virginia. As with many enslaved individuals, her life was marked by the commodification inherent in the chattel slavery system and she was repeatedly sold at auctions to the highest bidder. Each transaction necessitated a relocation, often to different states, disrupting any semblance of stability in her life. By the age of 18, Brown had married and given birth to four children, all of whom, along with her husband, were later sold to different owners. This separation became a driving force in her life, motivating her subsequent actions and decisions.

Path to Freedom and Westward Migration

In 1856, following the death of her owner, George Brown, Clara was emancipated with the assistance of his family. This newfound freedom enabled her to pursue a long-held goal: to locate and reunite with her lost children. Reports that one of her daughters, Eliza, had moved westward spurred Clara to embark on a westward journey. Clara joined a group of prospectors heading to Colorado, serving as their cook during the journey to pay her way.

Economic Agency and Community Involvement in Colorado

Clara first settled in Denver, Colorado. In the 1850s, Denver, Colorado, was a nascent frontier settlement that emerged during the Pikes Peak Gold Rush, which drew thousands of prospectors to the region in search of fortune. The area, initially known as “Denver City,” was founded in 1858 by a group of prospectors from Kansas, who named it after James W. Denver, the territorial governor of Kansas. Denver quickly became a hub of activity, with hastily constructed buildings lining its dirt streets and an influx of miners, merchants, and adventurers shaping its early character. The city was rough and lawless, with a transient population living in makeshift cabins, tents, and saloons. Despite its chaotic beginnings, Denver attracted several notable figures who contributed to its growth and development. Among them was William N. Byers, who established the Rocky Mountain News, Colorado’s first newspaper, in 1859, playing a crucial role in shaping public opinion and communication in the region. Another influential figure was John Evans, who would later become the second territorial governor of Colorado and a key player in the founding of the University of Denver. In its early years, Denver was a place of stark contrasts, where wealth and poverty, opportunity and danger, coexisted, laying the foundation for the thriving city it would eventually become.

Clara later moved to Central City. In the 1850s, Central City, Colorado, was a bustling mining town that emerged as the epicenter of the Colorado Gold Rush following the discovery of gold in Gregory Gulch in 1859. Known as the “Richest Square Mile on Earth,” Central City quickly attracted thousands of prospectors, miners, and entrepreneurs, transforming it from a rugged mountain landscape into a thriving, albeit rough, community. The town was characterized by its haphazardly constructed buildings, including saloons, general stores, and simple homes, which sprang up to accommodate the influx of fortune-seekers. The streets were often muddy and crowded, reflecting the town’s rapid and unplanned growth. Central City also became a center of cultural and social life in the region, with the construction of the Central City Opera House and various churches. Notable figures in Central City included John H. Gregory, whose discovery of gold sparked the town’s growth, and Horace Tabor, a prospector who later became a prominent businessman and politician in Colorado. The town’s economy thrived on the wealth generated from mining, making Central City a key player in Colorado’s early development.

Clara’s search for her daughter was unsuccessful. However, she quickly established herself within the local economy. She became one of the first Black women to settle in Colorado’s gold-mining towns, where she opened a laundry business that catered to miners. This enterprise proved highly profitable, allowing her to accumulate significant savings by the end of the Civil War. Her financial acumen led her to invest in mining claims and real estate, securing her economic independence in a period when most Black people were only beginning to gain legal freedom.

Building Community and Providing Social Services in Colorado

Beyond her economic activities, Clara Brown played a crucial role in fostering community cohesion in Central City. Her home and business served as informal social services hubs, where she provided care for sick or injured miners, regardless of race. Her philanthropic efforts extended to supporting the local religious institutions, including establishing the first Sunday school in the town. Brown’s actions exemplify the ways in which Black women contributed to community building and social welfare in frontier towns, often filling gaps left by formal institutions.

Continued Search for Family: Efforts to Reconnect with Loved Ones Post-Slavery

Once financially secure, Clara Brown intensified her search for her family, traveling to Kentucky and Tennessee. Although she did not find her immediate family, she did reconnect with other relatives, whom she relocated to Colorado. Brown also assisted other freed Blacks in moving to Colorado, helping them integrate into the local economy. In 1879, she was appointed by Colorado Governor Pitkin to represent the state in Kansas, where she encouraged Black homesteaders, known as “Exodusters,” to consider relocating to Colorado amid labor shortages due to mining strikes.

Adversity and Resilience Amid Disasters in Colorado

Despite her successes, Clara Brown faced significant adversity. In 1864, a flood in Denver destroyed much of her property, and in 1873, a fire in Central City consumed her home and other assets. These events wiped out much of her accumulated wealth. Nevertheless, her standing in the community led to substantial support from her neighbors, who provided her with a new home in Denver.

Final Years and Lasting Impact in Colorado History

In 1882, Clara Brown, then around 80 years old, received news of a potential lead regarding her daughter, Eliza, in Council Bluffs, Iowa. In the 1880s, Council Bluffs, Iowa, was a rapidly growing city that served as a crucial gateway to the American West, thanks to its strategic location along the Missouri River and its status as a major railroad hub. The city was bustling with economic activity, with industries such as railroads, manufacturing, and trade driving its expansion. Council Bluffs was also notable for its diverse population, which included a small but vibrant Black community. This community, though facing the challenges of segregation and limited economic opportunities, was actively involved in local religious and social organizations, helping to establish a sense of solidarity and support. Notable figures in Council Bluffs during this time included General Grenville Dodge, a Civil War veteran and key figure in the construction of the Transcontinental Railroad, and Grenville’s associate, Judge William F. Sapp, who served as a U.S. Congressman. Within the Black community, churches played a central role, serving not just as places of worship but also as centers for education and community gatherings. Despite the challenges of racial discrimination, the Black residents of Council Bluffs contributed to the city’s growth and cultural fabric, creating a close-knit community that supported its members and sought to improve their social and economic standing.

With the financial assistance of her community, Clara traveled to Iowa and was reunited with Eliza after 47 years of separation. This reunion, widely reported at the time, marked the culmination of Brown’s lifelong search. She returned to Colorado with her daughter, where they lived together until Clara’s death three years later.

Her funeral was a significant event, attended by prominent figures, including the mayor of Denver and the governor of Colorado. Her contributions were formally recognized by the Colorado Pioneer Association, which posthumously made her their first Black member. Her legacy has been commemorated in various forms, including a stained-glass portrait in the Colorado State Capitol and a plaque at St. James Methodist Church in Central City.

The Significance of Clara Brown’s Life in Understanding Black Women’s History in the American West

Clara Brown’s life illustrates the broader themes of mobility, economic agency, and community involvement that characterized the experiences of many Black individuals in the post-emancipation United States. Her journey from enslavement to economic independence, and her role in community building, offer a nuanced understanding of the challenges and opportunities faced by Black women in the American West. Clara Brown’s legacy continues to serve as a significant example of resilience and leadership in the face of systemic oppression.

Watch our documentary “In Search of Bass Reeves” for more on Black pioneers of the Old West.