Colonel Allensworth SHP

State Historic Park

Come Home to Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park
Allensworth Centennial Logo

Due to department budget cuts and service reductions, Colonel Allensworth SHP is closed Monday thru Thursday to all vehicular traffic until June 30th 2010.  The park is still open 10:00 am to 4:00 pm for visitors entering by foot at the gate, but no restrooms, trash or water service will be available.

The Park is open Friday thru Sunday, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm and for Special Events. These changes are in effect until the end of the fiscal year. We hope that the current Service Reductions will be adjusted at that time, however it may not, depending on the status of the State Budget. We appreciate your patience.

The public can assist us by hauling their own trash and leaving the facilities clean for the next park visitor to reduce workload on remaining staff.

Throughout 2008 California State Parks has celebrated the 100th anniversary of the founding of this unique town dedicated to the dignity of the human spirit. Although the centennial celebration is now a part of history, there are still plenty of opportunities to come learn about Colonel Allen Allensworth and the courageous group of families and individuals who believed they could create their own version of the �American Dream.� Come experience the inspiring story of the people who came to an isolated spot in the southern San Joaquin Valley to build a place of their own�a place where hard work, dedication, and faith would allow them and their children the opportunity to control their own discrimination-free destiny. Come home to Allensworth during its centennial year.

NEW! - Want to get a feel for Allensworth before you come? Then check out our new "virtual tour" webpage for photographs of Allensworth's historic, restored, and reconstructed buildings.

Join us on Facebook! www.facebook.com

Allensworth History

In August 1908 Colonel Allen Allensworth and four other settlers established a town founded, financed and governed by African Americans. Their dream of developing an abundant and thriving community stemmed directly from a strong belief in programs that allowed blacks to help themselves create better lives. By 1910 Allensworth�s success was the focus of many national newspaper articles praising the town and its inhabitants.

An unavoidable set of circumstances made it impossible for the residents of this tiny town located 30 miles north of Bakersfield to achieve their founders� dreams over the long term. But the town did remain home to a handful of families and individuals throughout the 20th century, and true to the courage and resolve of its founders, the town has survived and persevered, earning the well-deserved title �The town that refused to die.�

In 1974 California State Parks purchased land within the historical townsite of Allensworth, and it became Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park. Today a collection of lovingly restored and reconstructed early 20th-century buildings�including the Colonel�s house, historic schoolhouse, Baptist church, and library�once again dots this flat farm country, giving new life to the dreams of these visionary pioneers.

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.

More about the history of Allensworth

Location - Directions
The park is north of Bakersfield; 20 miles north of Wasco on Highway 43; seven miles west of Earlimart on County Road J22.

Directions (From Southern California).
From I-5 take 99 North; 30-miles past Bakersfield, EXIT at POND ROAD and keep going west aprox. 7 miles to State Highway 43. From there, go right (on Highway 43)for about 8-miles to PALMER AVENUE. Make a left over the railroad tracks then turn right to enter the Park.

Directions (From Northern California)
From State Highway 99 take the Alpaugh exit in Earlimart; turn right on County Road J22 (Sierra Way) go aprox. 7 miles to State Highway 43. From there, go left 2 miles to PALMER AVENUE. Make a right over the railroad tracks then turn right to enter the Park.

Earlimart, CA Latitude/Longitude: 35.8829 / -119.3388

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, "Allensworth: A Piece of the World," which is available for viewing from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Friday thru Sunday.

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.

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.

Overflow campsites are still available during the Centennial Celebration weekend, October 11 and 12. Visit the ReserveAmerica website or call (800) 444-7275 for reservations.

All Aboard for Allensworth!
Allensworth Train Tracks

Why not make the journey to Allensworth a memorable experience for you and your family by taking the train! Just think of how you can use the time on the train--to enjoy visiting with family and friends, to read or play games, to learn more about the town of Allensworth and its people, or even to just sit back and watch the landscape roll by. With a group of 20 or more (you will need a exact head count for preapproval), and several weeks ahead of time, Amtrak can stop at Allensworth and let you off right at the park. Check with Amtrak for exact fares the day you wish to travel. To make reservations for travel to Allensworth, visit www.Amtrak.com or call (800) USA-RAIL and be sure to use the City Code "CNL" (or list the city as "Earlimart"). For group reservations (groups of 20 or more), call (800) 872-1477.