Hannah Connell Barker - Businesswoman and Civic Leader

Businesswoman and Civic Leader

In the 1880s, Barker set to work on a number of significant business endeavors. By 1884, Barker had purchased real estate adjacent to the young City of Boulder and began platting the town of Highland Lawn. The plat included 19 sites, all with rights to the adjacent Anderson Ditch, and owners were encouraged to plant trees and improve their lots with attractive fencing. The town was annexed to the City of Boulder in 1891.

In association with several other local women, Hannah Barker formed the Boulder Creamery in 1887. Beginning in 1898, Hannah Barker was appointed to the board of directors of Boulder Bank, where she would serve until her death. In addition to her business endeavors, Barker was involved in numerous civic causes. Barker founded the Boulder Women’s Club and was active in the Ladies’ Literary Society and the Boulder Fortnightly Club. She was also active in supporting Boulder’s Congregational Church and Columbia Cemetery and was a member of Boulder's Colorado Chautauqua Association. In 1911, Barker donated land to the City of Boulder at the corner of 15th and Spruce Streets for use as Barker Park. Barker was also active in a number of temperance movement causes.

Hannah Barker died in Boulder in 1918 of influenza during the Spanish Flu Pandemic