Dearfield: Businesses

The Dearfield Agency was a business operated in Denver on 2561 Washington Street, inside the Five Points district which was the first predominately African American district in Denver. This building served as an office in the city for prospective homesteaders or residents of Dearfield to speak to a representative of the townsite. This representative occasionally was O.T. Jackson himself, when he was staying in Denver, or more often his office managers Ethel Woods and Eugenia C. Colter. Here prospective buyers could learn what plots were available, schedule trips to the townsite and learn more about the community at Dearfield. Visiting and purchasing new land through the Agency was pretty much finished by the mid 1920s, as the land and O.T. Jackson had lost so much money.

O.T. Jackson began asking for a blacksmith early on, knowing the importance of the position for the development of the town. In 1913, he offered free plats of land for a blacksmith or carpenter, and continued advertising the townsite's need for a blacksmith through 1914. By 1917, the blacksmith shop was completed and operated by Squire Brockman. 

The Filling Station (gas station) and Lunch Room were the two longest lasting businesses in Dearfield. They were established by August 1914. Both were run by O.T. Jackson and his wife, Minerva, throughout their time at Dearfield. The businesses were located just off of the highway, now US Route 34, and on Dearfield's main road, Washington Avenue. During the week, Minerva ran most of the daily operation of both businesses, as Oliver spent his time in Denver. The lunch room served as accommodations for passing visitors of Dearfield and, post prohibition, Jackson wanted someone to sell alcohol out of it. He ended up signing an agreement to lease the business out to William Stewart in 1934, however by that time the townsite was already in decline. 

The filling station continued operation after Jackson's passing, and was in operation in 1969 by a non-original Dearfield resident.

There were multiple general stores operated throughout Dearfield’s years. J.J Houston operated one of them in 1918, as well as, allegedly, Estelle Maddox’s store in 1914, Adams Grocery Store in 1924, and one ran by O.T. Jackson himself. Jackson wanted the Black community of Dearfield to buy equipment, food, and other necessities from the stores in Dearfield, in order to support the towns local economy. Apparently he would get upset at town members for doing their shopping in Masters or Greeley, and would confront them. However, the conditions of the poor farmers required them to shop where it was cheapest, often not in the townsite itself. 

In February of 1914, C.W. Brown and Burt Griffiths purchased lots 21-24 of block 12 for businesses under the Dearfield Mercantile and Development Co. One of the businesses they aimed to start was a farming mercantile shop that was set to open by May 1st, 1914, in time for beet season. However, there is little discussing the Mercantile company after this May 1st deadline, so perhaps the men’s plan never came to fruition. 

The post office was opened in January of 1917, with Joseph Huston acting as the post master. The opening of a post office allow for easier communication in the town, as people had to travel less to send and receive their mail. Prior to the offices opening. O.T. Jackson anticipated lot prices to go up after establishment, because of the new convenience. The post office was officially named "Chapelton Post Office," because the name Dearfield for the town was rejected. It was located two miles southeast of town, and received mail through the Wiggins railroad stop. The post office closed in 1922.