Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park

I echo what others have said here — this is a wonderful, historic, well preserved site! The rangers are friendly and knowledgeable and we had a great tour. It is like walking into another time and place, so cool. Go check out this lesser known, but incredibly fascinating part of California’s history.

If you are into history, this is a really interesting place to go. When I went it seemed a bit empty but the picnic tables and area are clean. This is one of those off-​the-​beaten-​path serendipitous history finds.

I visited «Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park» (Earimart, CA) on 8÷5÷2012. It was my first time there. It was not a planed visit — I saw a sign saying it was 16 miles off of hwy. 99. I like history and I had time so I said to myself «go for it» and I’m glad I did.
The state of California charges a $ 6.00 entry fee based on the honor system (I paid my $ 6.00 in an envelope and dropped it through the slot). Surprisingly they have camping here. I did not stay the night but if I did the price would have been $ 20.00.
Colonel Allen Allensworth was a former slave. He was in the Union Navy during the Civil War but later became an Army chaplain, orator and town founder. The town of Allensworth was the only California town to be founded, financed, and governed by African Americans.
Today (2012) the buildings are beautifully restored.

Allensworth truly is «The Town That Refuses to Die.» Many thought Allensworth disappeared, however it sprang back to life with the completion of Allensworth State Historic Park. The park interprets what life was like during its heyday, however many miss the jewel when visiting Allensworth, as their is an active town just to the southwest of the park, which includes a elementary school (K-​8).
Allensworth is a great find and once you discover it, many questions will pop in your mind allowing you to explore the possibilities.

Lived here outside the park during my youth, during off season the park is a ghost town. It was about a mile down the street from where we lived, so my family would take our nightly walks through the park. They have done a lot to the park since we’ve left, nice to see the homes and businesses going back up. My mother actually attended the school there on the site while she was a little girl. We have a couple of photos of her in front playing with other children. The town only recently was given the status of state park in the 1970s. So my grandfather still remembers families that used to lived on park grounds. The park is frequented by jack rabbits, burrowing owls and hawks. There is a campground that has occasional visitors. If you are looking to visit, where comfortable shoes, since the houses and businesses are spread apart so you’ll do quite a bit of walking. Bring water during the summer months because there is little shade too. When I was younger, I enjoyed going to the park when there wasn’t anyone there, but during the annual Jubilee its a pain to have all the tourists around. Its loud and there is a lot of traffic (auto and foot). I’m not so much of a fan of the tram doing its «sight-​seeing» around the community either.

A great historical park, even if the visitor center wasn’t open when I went (which wasn’t on a weekend, so there weren’t many people around). There is a small campground neighboring the park. Lots of toads, not much noise except for coyotes and the trains. Watch for holes in the ground if you walk around at night. The facilities here were well kept. The ranger I met was very helpful. Lots of buildings to check out, so bring comfortable shoes, and some water. There wasn’t much shade to cool you off as you walk around the town.

Allensworth is the only California town to be founded, financed and governed by African Americans. The small farming community was founded in 1908 by Colonel Allen Allensworth and a group of others dedicated to improving the economic and social status of African Americans. Uncontrollable circumstances, including a drop in the area’s water table, resulted in the town’s demise. With continuing restoration and special events, the town is coming back to life as a state historic park. The park’s visitor center features a film about the site. A yearly rededication ceremony reaffirms the vision of the pioneers.
Seasons/​Climate Recommended Clothing
The Central Valley, is hot in summer and mild in winter. Rain falls from October through April. Winter temperatures below freezing can bring frost, but snow is rare. Summer temperatures above 100 degrees are part of the normal pattern.
Visitor Center and Tours
The park has a visitor center and tours are available by making arrangements with the park in advance. The visitor center features a video presentation, «The Spirit of Allensworth,» which is available for viewing from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., any day of the week.
The most important building, historically and in the memory of Allensworth pioneers, is the schoolhouse. It was in use until 1972 and is furnished as it would have been on a school day in 1915. An audio presentation is available on site.
Audio presentations are also available at Grosse’s Drug Store, and the Singleton General Store and Post Office.
Also important to the education of Allensworth’s citizens was the Mary Dickenson Memorial Library, about 200 yards north of the school.
Colonel Allensworth’s residence is furnished in the 1912 period. It contains items from the colonel’s life in the service and the ministry. A small display of farm equipment is a reminder of the Allensworth economic base.
Camping
Fifteen campsites, open all year, will accommodate RVs or tents. Each site includes a picnic table and a camp stove; flush toilets are nearby. Facilities for disabled people are available. Turf, trees, and shade ramadas are other features. A nearby picnic area is shaded by 75 large trees, planted by the California Conservation Corps.
More campgrounds are available near Porterville which is about 40 miles north of Allensworth.
Rocky Hill Campground — 108 sites, primitive.
Army Corps of Engineers — Success Lake, east of Porterville.
Tule Recreation Area — 104 sites, disposal station, flush toilets, showers.
KOA Campgrounds — 5-​miles east of Porterville on Hwy 109. Also, 13-​miles north of Bakersfield, via SR 99 on Lerdo Highway.
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