Northeast in Hartford in Capitol Region, Connecticut — The American Northeast (New England)
Black Heroes in Hartford: Judge Boce Barlow
Connecticut's First Black Judge
| | (1915 - 2005) | |
Barlow completed his high school studies in Hartford in 1933. He continued on to Howard University, where he served as senior class president, and received his degree with honors in 1939.
He served in a segregated Army regiment in the southeast Pacific before moving on to Harvard Law School, where he graduated in 1949. He became a judge in 1957 at the age of 42.
In 1966, he was chosen to serve in the State Senate, and two years later, he attended the Democratic National Convention in Chicago as a delegate.
Erected by Hartford Public Library.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Government & Politics • Heroes • War, World II. In addition, it is included in the Historically Black Colleges and Universities series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1933.
Location. 41° 47.325′ N, 72° 40.328′ W. Marker is in Hartford in Capitol Region, Connecticut. It is in Northeast. It is on Main Street south of Westland Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2532 Main St, Hartford CT 06120, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Connecticut River Valley and in the Knowledge Corridor. It is also in the American Northeast and in New England. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once Hartford County and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Black Heroes in Hartford: Marcus Camby (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct
this page online
Also see . . . Boce W. Barlow, Jr. (Wikipedia article).
Boce William Barlow Jr. (August 8, 1915 January 31, 2005) was first African-American judge in Connecticut, in 1957, and the first African-American to be elected to the Connecticut State Senate in 1966.(Submitted on August 2, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.)
Born in Americus, Georgia, in 1915, Barlow came to Hartford with his parents when he was one year old, attended Hartford High School, and graduated from Howard University in 1939 as class president. After serving in World War II in a segregated unit, he graduated from Harvard Law School, one of only four African Americans in his class.Like his father before him, he was active in Democratic Party politics, and won election to the state senate in 1966, serving two terms. Barlow continued to distinguish himself, serving in a variety of state posts that advanced the cause of equal rights.
Additional keywords. #HartfordBlackHeroes
Credits. This page was last revised on May 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 11, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 328 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 11, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
