Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park honors Colonel Allensworth, who was born into slavery in 1842, served in the Union Army, worked as a teacher and preacher, and eventually won an appointment as a chaplain in the US Army. After serving for twenty years he retired with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and was one of four men who worked to establish the town of Allensworth.
The park is the site of the only California town to be founded, financed and governed by African Americans. When it was founded, in 1908, the hope was that it would be a "Tuskegee of the West" but declining water tables, loss of a railroad stop and the death of Colonel Allensworth led to the it’s demise.
Twenty one buildings have been rebuilt or restored. Interpretive signs are posted in front of each building but the buildings are only opened for touring during special events. It’s possible to peek into some of the windows to view the interiors. The visitor center (unmanned) and campground are opened Thursday-Sunday. The campground has paved parking pads, tables with shade ramadas, fire rings, showers, restrooms and a dump station.
Most of the buildings have ramps which are only useful when the buildings are opened for tours. Access to windows where the interiors may be viewed is mostly from the front porches which have steps only. The visitor center is accessible. The campground has two spaces that have been widened but no other provisions have been made for accessibility. The toilets do not have grab bars but the shower room has grab bars, a fold-up seat and a low shower head.
Small animals and birds are abundant. Watch for rattle snakes. The only one we saw was this one - death from overeating!
Park
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