2224 Pine St - Alexander and Jennie James

Alexander James was born in Virginia in 1850. When he first moved to Boulder, he worked as a laborer. But by 1885, he was a cook in hotels and restaurants such as the Silver Grill on Pearl Street and the St Julian Hotel on 13th Street.

After the death of his first wife Emmaline, he married Jennie Vince in 1881. She was the widow of fellow black pioneer George Vince. Jennie was 15 years younger than Alexander, and together they had six children, but only three survived infancy.

Henry Stevens, who was Jennie’s son-in-law, and Alexander purchased the house at 2224 Pine Street in January 1889. Henry lived next door at 2220 Pine that you will visit next. It was here that Alexander and Jennie raised their children: Alphonso, Major and Georgia. Their daughter Georgia married Lee Morrison, brother of famed musician George Morrison. They all lived together, so you may imagine the music that was played in this house!

In 1896, Henry Stevens deeded his interest in this house to Sadie Jackson, wife of O. T. Jackson, who transferred her interest to Alexander 13 days later. Sadie was the owner of three homes on this block at various times during the 1890s.

Alexander lived in the house until his death October 16, 1927. He was buried in the Columbia Cemetery along with his family and other Black families of Boulder.

Directions to Stop 20: Stop 20 is next door to the west.