The Historic Preservation Commission’s June 18 meeting included a Juneteenth history presentation focused on Charles “Charlie” Clay, a Black pioneer who figures prominently in early Fort Collins accounts.

Meg Dunn, president of the Fort Collins Historical Society, narrated Clay’s life in a 25‑minute presentation and screened a short video produced for the city. Dunn summarized archival evidence that Clay was born into slavery in Callaway County, Missouri; left for the West during the Civil War era; worked as a cook for military units and at stage stations; and later settled in Northern Colorado where he worked as a hotel cook, barber and a one‑man city scavenger. The presentation documented episodes in Clay’s life reported in contemporary newspapers, including his role cooking for visiting dignitaries and his community standing later in life.

A short video shown to the commission featured Dr. Alexander Pittman of Colorado State University, who tied the Juneteenth observance to the lived experiences of early Black residents interred at Grand View Cemetery and urged continued public interpretation of these histories. The video identified several Black residents buried at Grand View — Charlie and Anna Clay, Harkless and Hattie Hicks, Georgiana Koff — and said city Juneteenth activities include decorating their burial sites.

Why it matters

Dunn noted Charlie Clay’s central place in local memory: he appears repeatedly in late‑19th and early‑20th century accounts, is pictured in historic photography collections, and was remembered by community members and the Pioneer Association after his death in 1910. Dunn said much of the physical record tied to Clay — his house, the Remington and Franklin schools, and the early church building associated with the Clay family — no longer survives; she proposed increased public commemoration, including the suggestion to consider renaming Washington Park after Charlie Clay because his home and life were centered near that park.

Reaction and next steps

Commission members praised the presentation and several said they were previously unaware of Clay’s story. Staff noted that recognition of Clay and his family has already been discussed in the context of broader civic campus and Washington Park planning; staff will retain the presentation materials for reference in future civic campus interpretation and planning work.

Ending

Commissioners viewed the presentation, thanked Dunn and the project team for the research, and proceeded to the meeting’s closing business. The commission also screened a city‑produced Juneteenth video and highlighted upcoming community Juneteenth events.