Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park 4011 Grant Drive Earlimart, CA 93219 (661) 849-3433

Our Mission The mission of California State Parks is Colonel to provide for the health, inspiration and education of the people of California by helping n 1908 a group of to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological I Allensworth diversity, protecting its most valued natural and African Americans cultural resources, and creating opportunities State Historic Park for high-quality outdoor recreation. led by Colonel Allen Allensworth founded a town that would combine pride of ownership, California State Parks supports equal access. Prior to arrival, visitors with disabilities who equality of opportunity, need assistance should contact the park at (661) 849-3433. If you need this publication in an and high ideals. alternate format, contact [email protected].

CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS P.O. Box 942896 Sacramento, CA 94296-0001 For information call: (800) 777-0369 (916) 653-6995, outside the U.S. 711, TTY relay service

www.parks.ca.gov

© 2007 California State Parks (Rev. 2017) I n the southern San Joaquin Valley, music teacher, and the colony of Allensworth a modest but growing assemblage of gifted musician, began to rise from the flat restored and reconstructed buildings marks and they raised two countryside — California’s the location of Colonel Allensworth State daughters. In 1886, first town founded, financed, Historic Park. A schoolhouse, a Baptist church, with a doctorate of and governed by businesses, homes, a hotel, a library, and theology, Allensworth African Americans. various other structures symbolize the rebirth became chaplain to The name and reputation of one man’s dream of an independent, the 24th Infantry, one of Colonel Allensworth democratic town where African Americans of the Army’s four inspired African Americans could live in control of their own destiny. African American who were looking for a On the horizon stretch level farmlands, regiments. He retired better life. People from all First Baptist Church county roads, and the seemingly endless as a lieutenant (restored) over the country, including tracks of the Santa Fe rail line. In this part colonel in 1906 — the many who were already of the valley, summer temperatures can first African American to attain such high rank. settled in California, came reach 100 degrees or more, but winters are to populate the town. In generally mild. THE TOwN OF ALLENSwORTH some cases, people who never lived in the Retirement found the Colonel lecturing town purchased property sight-unseen to help ALLEN ALLENSwORTH — A VISIONARy throughout the eastern and midwestern states, the cause. The town of Allensworth enjoyed Colonel Allen Allensworth — Army chaplain, promoting Booker T. Washington’s philosophy great success and was the focus of considerable educator, orator, and town co-founder — was of African American self-reliance. They both interest. On July 29, 1909, the Tulare County born into slavery in Louisville, Kentucky, firmly believed that, through education and Times ran an article headlined, “Negro Colony at on April 7, 1842. Intelligent and eager for hard work, African Americans could rise above Solita Prosperous.” Other newspapers described knowledge, he was encouraged by his mother the effects of slavery, attain greater social Allensworth with such headlines as, “Allensworth to learn to read and write by playing school stature, and more fully realize their potential Folks Great Readers” (Visalia Delta) and “An with the master’s son. At 12 he was sent as a people. Ideal Negro Settlement” (Los Angeles Times). away for violating the law that prohibited the The Allensworths settled in Los Angeles, By 1910 residents had built a small school. education of slaves. In and in 1906 the Colonel met Professor William Two years later, Allensworth became California’s 1862 he fled slavery to join Payne, an educator whose family had recently first African American school district, and in the Union Navy and was moved to Pasadena. With a mutual desire to 1914 the town became a judicial district. When honorably discharged as a live in an environment where African Americans rapid growth chief petty officer. could live free from discrimination, they merged necessitated the After the Civil War, the their values with those of other pioneers of construction of Colonel achieved the like mind to establish an independent, self- a larger school, formal education he sufficient colony. They formed the California Mrs. Allensworth had been denied. Colony and Home Promotion Association turned the old In 1877 he married in 1908 and purchased 800 acres along the school building Josephine Leavell, Santa Fe rail line from the Pacific Farming into the Mary a schoolteacher, Colonel Allen Allensworth, Company, at a rail stop called Solita. In 1909 Allensworth school children, ca. 1895 - 1904 Dickinson ca. 1911 of Allensworth’s economic base was lost. ACCESSIBLE FEATuRES On September 15, 1914, the town suffered • Visitor center, restrooms, and most park its most significant setback — the tragic buildings using entry ramps death of their inspirational leader. Colonel • Exhibits throughout the park Allensworth was in Monrovia, California, • Two campsites and restroom at the John L. preparing to preach at a small church. As Whitehead, Jr. Campground he crossed a street, he was struck by two • Drinking fountain at the campground men on a motorcycle. After the Colonel’s • Picnic area death, the struggle to survive became more Accessibility is continually improving. For difficult. Drought, poor crop yields, and updates, visit http://access.parks.ca.gov or a failing water supply became hopeless call the park. obstacles. When an economic slump Allensworth Elementary followed World War I, residents left in SPECIAL EVENTS (Call park for dates.) School (restored) search of a better living. The town’s decline Rededication gathered momentum. In 1966, arsenic was This annual celebration gives park users and Memorial Library in found in the water supply; then, Allensworth supporters an opportunity to renew their honor of her mother. Reflecting his love for was scheduled for demolition. By 1973 it was commitment to the park and its symbolic education and his desire to share it with no longer on the state map. others, Colonel Allensworth donated his representation of African American self- extensive private book collection to the A TOwN REVIVED determination. library. Later, Tulare County made the library However, the dream of Colonel Old Time Jubilee part of its free system, supplying 50 books Allensworth was not dead. The spark has Every year following the harvest, the town per month. been rekindled by a group of dedicated of Allensworth held a big party when the individuals — including some former carnival came to town. The Old wATER residents — who continue to advocate for Time Jubilee recreates this Soon after settlement began, it became the growth and development of this vital festive atmosphere. obvious that water would be a problem. In cultural resource. The town became a state 1913 residents formed the Allensworth Rural park in 1974. Water Company and took control of the Events scheduled throughout the year water system from Pacific Farming Company. bring the town to life and inspire Unable to raise the funds necessary to drill a new interest in returning more wells or improve their existing system, Allensworth to its glory days as a Allensworth had a seriously lowered water vibrant, successful town. About table by 1914. 70,000 visitors come annually from all over California and THE DECLINE from out of state to experience 1914 was a difficult year for the town. When this unique and historically the Santa Fe Railroad moved its rail stop important town. from Allensworth to Alpaugh that July, much Park docents in period attire Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park The park is ten miles southwest of Earlimart on Avenue 56. From Highway 99, take Legend Avenue 56 west to Highway 43 south and turn into the park at Palmer Avenue. Highway

Street

Unpaved Path

Rail Line Accessible Feature Building

Historic Building

Historic Building Site

Campground

Locked Gate

Parking

Picnic Site RR Ticket Dotson Office Barn A.T. & S.F. Restrooms Stationmaster’s Office Showers Day-Use Area Dotson House and Restaurant Sojourna Ave Sojourna Ave

Ashby House, Dairy Barn, and Milkhouse

This park is supported in part through a nonprofit organization. For more information, contact Friends of Allensworth 4011 Grant Drive • Earlimart, CA 93219 [email protected] • friendsofallensworth.com