Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park

Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park
The restored buildings in Allensworth rise from the San Joaquin Valley
Map showing the location of Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park
Map showing the location of Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park
Map showing the location of Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park
Map showing the location of Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park
LocationTulare County, California
United States
Nearest cityEarlimart, California
Coordinates35°51′49″N 119°23′20″W / 35.86361°N 119.38889°W / 35.86361; -119.38889
Area3,715 acres (15.03 km2)
Established1973
Governing bodyCalifornia Department of Parks and Recreation
Allensworth Historic District
Built1908
NRHP reference No.72000263
Added to NRHPFebruary 23, 1972[1]
Reference no.1047

Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park is a state park unit of California, United States, preserving Allensworth, the only California town to be founded, financed and governed by African Americans. The small farming community was founded in 1908 by Lt. Colonel Allen Allensworth, Professor William Payne, William Peck, a minister; John W. Palmer, a miner; and Harry A. Mitchell, a real estate agent, dedicated to improving the economic and social status of African Americans. Colonel Allensworth (1842–1914) had a friendship with Booker T. Washington and was inspired by the Tuskegee Institute and development in its neighboring town. Allensworth hoped to develop the "Tuskegee of the West".[2]

Uncontrollable circumstances, including a drop in the area's water table, resulted in the town's demise.[2] Allensworth is now an unincorporated area in Tulare County.

The park has a train station on the San Joaquins line, that is used during special events at the park, or when large tour groups book a stop.

  1. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. April 15, 2008.
  2. ^ a b Wheeler, B. Gordon (February 2000). "Allensworth: California's African American Community". Wild West. Retrieved September 13, 2013.