Within the San Joaquin Valley lies the unincorporated community of Allensworth, California. Since 1974, the town has been memorialized as a state park, and is officially known as the Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park. The park has been the subject of both a 2022 documentary film and historical novel, and is significant given it’s status as the only California town to be founded, financed and governed by African-Americans. 

The town was first established in June of 1908 by Colonel Allen Allensworth and Professor William Alexander Payne. Colonel Allen Allensworth was a notable chaplain, colonel, city founder, public speaker, and theologian. Allensworth was born into slavery in Kentucky and joined the 44th Illinois Volunteers as a Union solider during the Civil War. In addition to serving as a chaplain within the United States Army, he eventually became the first African-American to reach the rank of lieutenant colonel in the United States Army. His legacy was one of service and honor, as he dedicated much of his life to inspiring African-American youth and working to improve communities. This philosophy carried over to his work in establishing Allensworth, California upon his retirement.

The creation of the town was part of a larger concept called the California Colony and Home Promoting Association, which operated with the goal of creating a self-sufficient and self-governing community for African-Americans in California. Inspired by the work of Booker T. Washington, Allensworth traveled the United States sharing the message of African-American self-reliance with communities across the country until he and his family settled in California in 1906. It was there that he met a professor named Professor William Payne, and together they established both the California Colony and Home Promoting Association and the town of Allensworth.

In 1908, the association purchased around 800 acres of land along the Sante Fe rail line in Tulare County from the Pacific Farming Company. The site was in a prime position, given its location along the railroad and exceptional agricultural conditions. By 1909, the town of Allensworth, California was on the map, with a reputation that drew settlers from far and wide. The existence of a town in California that was founded, financed, and governed by African-Americans had reached many ears, with some even willing to buy property and relocate to the town without having seen the area first. With the promise of self-sufficiency realized and the possibility of controlling one’s own destiny on the horizon, the town of Allensworth grew and experienced a population boom in the early twentieth-century.

Most notably, the creation of the town schoolhouse in 1910 resulted in Allensworth becoming California’s first African American school district. The town’s many institutions and businesses included a library, hotel, church, and general store. The schoolhouse was regarded as one of the largest and most important buildings located within the town, and it remained in use until 1972. The Allensworth School was constructed in 1912. It contains a wood frame (with wood siding), cedar shingles, a concrete foundation, and it measures forty-feet by forty-feet. The interior of the building contains a sliding partition that allows for room separation. It also features a stage and two dressing rooms. This school has been a hub for the community, serving as the town school, social hall, and center for community entertainment.

Despite the initial booming growth, a few major factors contributed to Allensworth’s eventual decline. In 1914, a major railroad stop was moved from Allensworth to a different location. Additionally, the town’s water supply had been dwindling for years, causing a severe water shortage in Allensworth. Eventually, this water shortage led to a drought that disturbed crops. Finally, the death of Colonel Allen Allensworth left the town without their leader. These three events spurred an economic downturn in the area and after World War I, many residents left the town.

In spite of these difficulties and a scheduled town demolition in the 1960’s, Allensworth has prevailed. Many past residents and passionate individuals advocated for the site to become a state historical site. In 1972, the Allensworth Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places and the park was opened in 1974. The complex contains nine preserved buildings, and the town continues to host events, programming, and celebration to honor this special historical site.

We’re honored to have the privilege of restoring this significant African-American historical site, and we hope you will join us this May as we head to the heart of California for a few weeks of impactful preservation work at the Allensworth Schoolhouse.