ALLENSWORTH, Calif. — Allensworth, is the first town in California that was founded, financed and governed by African Americans.
The state purchased land within the area of Allensworth in 1974, establishing the Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park. The state park is about 30 miles North of Bakersfield in Tulare County.
Colonel Allen Allensworth and four others brought their dreams and hopes with them to California.
"The colonel's dream was to prove to the world, we as black people could live together successfully economically and intellectually," Emmett Harden, a docent with Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park said.
Not only making history, but a statement that this town would provide African Americans a place where discrimination and racism was less likely to occur.
"He was a well educated, well-mannered person that was connected with Booker T. Washington, George Washington Carver, and W.E.B DuBois," Harden said.
The town established the first voting district, school district and public library in Tulare County.
The stories of the original settlers are told throughout the park's restored buildings, preserved photos and relics from the early 1900s.
"it's important that people know, that Allensworth state park is here, why it's here, and to support the park so that it remains here," Biscoe said.
Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park is open daily from 9 a.m. until sunset. The park is located at 4011 Grant Drive in Earlimart.
