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| Landmark #1047 | Tulare County | Visited: July 13, 2013 | Plaque? YES! 🙂 |
| What is it? | Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park! |
| What makes it historical? | THE GUIDE SAYS: Established on August 3, 1908, the town of Allensworth was the vision of LT. Colonel Allen Allensworth. Born in 1842, Allensworth escaped slavery during the Civil War and joined the Union Navy. In 1886, he became the chaplain of the 24th Infantry Regiment, retiring in 1906 as the highest ranking African American officer in the U.S. Army.
On June 30, 1908, Colonel Allensworth, Professor William Payne, Dr. W.H. Peck, Harry Mitchell and J.W. Palmer formed the California Colony and Home Promoting Association. They purchased land at this location to build the town of Allensworth – the only town in California founded, built, governed and populated by African-Americans. OTHER TIDBITS: For Colonel Allensworth, education had always been important! While a child in slavery in Louisville, Kentucky, his mom encouraged him to learn by playing school with the master’s son. This got him sent away from home, but he never lost sight of his education goals! After the Civil War, he went on to become a doctor of theology and traveled the country promoting education and hard work as a way to overcome slavery, as taught by Booker T. Washington! It was an educator who inspired Colonel Allensworth to embark on the community-building project, a professor named William Payne, who was based in Pasadena. Together, they purchased 800 acres of land along the Sante Fe Railroad tracks, and word quickly spread, attracting African-American settlers from around the country! Naturally, a school was high on the list of priorities, and by 1910, Allensworth became the first African-American school district in the country! Colonel Allensworth stocked the library with his own personal collection! Allensworth met its demise four years later after the Colonel was hit by a motorcycle and killed. The railroad moved its stop to Alpaugh, devastating the local economy, and a combination of drought and arsenic found in the drinking water inspired residents to seek other horizons. Now, the town is a restored historic park run by volunteers intent on educating a new generation about this inspiring endeavor! This landmark is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places! |
| How can I Help the Helpers? | HERE’S HOW:
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| Where is this place? | LISTED DIRECTIONS: 4011 Grant Dr Earlimart, CA 93219 ANNOTATIONS: From Los Angeles: ~161mi (260km) — 2.7hrs |
| When should I go? | The park is open daily from 9:00 AM until 5:00 PM, but the visitor center is only open from 10:00 AM until 4:00 PM! |
