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🎉 Please Click Here! https://bit.ly/AllensworthRSVP 🎉

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Allensworth Progressive Association

"Our vision is rooted in our history and in our land. We refuse to die because
Allensworth was founded on the dream of Black Self-determination.
Allensworth's future celebrates our diverse cultures, resilience, and is a
model for re-imagining rural communities."

Allensworth, Ca

In 1908, a settlement in Central California's Tulare Basin was named after a
man whose dream was to build a Black self-governed and self-sufficient
colony. Colonel Allen Allensworth hoped it would be a place where
African-Americans would "settle upon the bare desert and cause it
to blossom as a rose."

Allensworth Progressive Association

Building Green Rural Infrastructure for a Healthy and Diverse Future

Allensworth, Ca.

Black self-determination is our living legacy and the foundation of
our endeavors for building a sustainable future for all.

Allensworth Progressive Association

The Allensworth Progressive Association (APA) was established in 1908 by
the township's founders as the official form of government, conducting the
community's business and fostering civic engagement. Reestablished in
1997 as a 501(c)3 nonprofit, the APA is the community's development
organization, serving a largely Latinx population, but with the same vision
and founded on the original living legacy cultivated by the APA's
founders.

The APA is tasked with identifying, implementing, and managing
education, health, infrastructure, economic, and regional restoration and
revitalization projects, including the TAC Teaching and Innovation Farm and
improvements at Col. Allensworth State Historic Park. The APA is blessed to
partner and collaborate with a diverse array of agencies, organizations, and
friends, in cultivating a sustainable and thriving future for Allensworth
residents and neighbors.

Col. Allensworth State Historic Park

Allensworth Progressive Association

The Allensworth Progressive Association (APA) was established in 1908 by
the township's founders as the official form of government, conducting the
community's business and fostering civic engagement. Reestablished in
1997 as a 501(c)3 nonprofit, the APA is the community's development
organization, serving a largely Latinx population, but with the same vision
and founded on the original living legacy cultivated by the APA's
founders.

The APA is tasked with identifying, implementing, and managing
education, health, infrastructure, economic, and regional restoration and
revitalization projects, including the TAC Teaching and Innovation Farm and
improvements at Col. Allensworth State Historic Park. The APA is blessed to
partner and collaborate with a diverse array of agencies, organizations, and
friends, in cultivating a sustainable and thriving future for Allensworth
residents and neighbors.

Col. Allensworth State Historic Park

The Town that Refuses to Die

Located where the largest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi River once existed, where the Wowol Yokuts navigated, fished, lived, and loved for thousands of years, Allensworth was established. The highest-ranking Black officer in the Armed Forces and Baptist minister, Col. Allen Allensworth established the Allensworth township at the southernmost part of the dry Tulare/Ton Tache Lake bed bottom, in 1908.

Tulare/Ton Tache Lake was recorded officially dry in 1898, after the Wowol Yokuts population was decimated by settler diseases and the Lake was drained, to establish an agricultural stronghold. It was here that Col. Allensworth and the community's original founders decided to realize their vision.

Colonel Allensworth's dream of Black self-determination and prosperity, and the community he helped to found on those principles, flourished for a number of years. Allensworth, once a thriving Black agricultural community, lost most of its population due to the racist and hostile actions of a
neighboring white community. With the help of those in power, transportation and resources were shifted away from Allensworth and towards the adjoining white town, undermining Allensworth's economic vision and sidelining the community's growth for decades. In 1969, the community of Allensworth was facing impending demolition when residents hailing from founding families petitioned the state to recognize Allensworth as a historic site. In 1974, Col. Allensworth State Historic Park (CASHP) was established and the adjoining community of Allensworth was given new life as well, becoming home to families that plant, harvest and process the renowned agricultural abundance of the Central Valley.

Almost five decades later, Allensworth continues to demonstrate the resilient nature of its Founding Fathers. Allensworth is the town that refuses to die, because we deserve to live and we deserve to thrive.

All About TAC Teaching and Innovation Farm

TAC FARM

The TAC Teaching and Innovation Farm is a model for re-envisioning Agriculture in the Central Valley through it's mission to nourish healthy rural BIPOC communities and demonstrate the inherent benefits of integrating Community and Agricultural Education through the Central Valley BIPOC Farmer Training Program.

Although the community of Allensworth is located in one of the top-producing agricultural regions of the world, the community itself resides within a food desert. Large-scale monoculture agriculture has stressed regional groundwater supply to its limits, increasing water supply contamination, and depleting soil health. Rural communities in California are predominantly communities of color and therefore face the brunt of environmental degradation and its effects on human health and are already more greatly impacted by the effects of climate change.

TAC Teaching & Innovation Farm aims to become the model for re-envisioning agriculture in the Central Valley and nourishing healthy rural communities of color. TAC Farm's goal is to establish an economic engine in Allensworth that can generate economic growth, provide education in organic and regenerative agriculture, housing development and stronger support for the Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park. TAC Teaching & Innovation Farm will provide hands-on training in organic farming, rabbitry, and composting to adults and youth throughout the Central Valley, cultivating community-grown solutions to ongoing challenges faced by Central Valley rural communities..

Allensworth Community Advocate, Organizer & Leader

Nettie Morrison

Before moving to Allensworth in 1979, Nettie Morrison knew the history of Allensworth, Ca. and was a member of the Study Panel that created the Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park. As founder of the Friends of Allensworth, Nettie set about coordinating and organizing hundreds of community and state park events, highlighting and cele-
brating both the history and the future of Allensworth.

Nettie Morrison was christened 'Mayor' by fellow community members and Tulare County officials because she was who they would call when anything in Allensworth needed addressing. Water well troubles? Call Nettie. School needs funds for a youth program? Call Nettie. Church needs an addition? Call Nettie. Turkey processing plant trying to move next door? Call Nettie.

Her leadership was recognized in December 2011 by the Tulare County Board of Supervisors in a proclamation "honoring Nettie Morrison for 30 years of advocacy and dedicated leadership to the community of Allensworth. "

Allensworth Progressive Association

The Work Done

COL. ALLENSWORTH STATE HISTORIC PARK ESTABLISHED

1974 | California State Parks purchases land within the township of Allensworth, creating the Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park. Restored and reconstructed early 20th-century buildings-such as the historic schoolhouse, Baptist church, and Colonel's house-once again dot farm
country, giving new life to the dreams of these visionary pioneers. www.parks.ca.gov

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTIONS

2007 | Community leader Nettie Morrison moves to action when hearing that two mega dairies will be built next to Allensworth, immediately organizing supporters from throughout the state. Busloads of supporters attend the Board of Supervisors meetings to express concerns over the dairy's negative impacts. As a result, the CA Assembly establishes a 2.5 mile "dairy-free" buffer around CASHP that summer.

NOURISHING THE SPIRIT OF ALLENSWORTH

Nettie Morrison established the Food Commodities Program for Allensworth to ensure that essential commodities are distributed to the community on a monthly basis. She also founded the Allensworth Christian Church and both lobbied and fundraised for its move from the State Park into the Allensworth Community where it was strengthened and renovated.

We're on a Mission to Solve
The Problems

The Future of Allensworth is Bright

On the horizon, the Allensworth Progressive Association is dedicated to bringing these projects to fruition, to honor the dreams and aspirations of Community Stewards before us, and to support the community after us.

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"Our vision is rooted in our history and in our land. We refuse to die because Allensworth was founded on the dream of Black Self-determination. Allensworth's future celebrates our diverse cultures, resilience, and is a model for re-imagining rural communities."

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https://bit.ly/APATwitter

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Tweets by AllensworthPA

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Come Home to Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park

A century has passed since 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.

Colonel Allensworth SHP is a bike friendly park! On your next visit bring your bicycle and enjoy the Park! You might want to ask the staff about the types of bicycles that were used in Allensworth.

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.

Visit our Co-Operating Assn. webpage: Friends of Allensworth
Check out our YouTube Channel
Join us on Facebook
Check out our 360 photos on Google Maps/Streetview

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

Agents of Discovery App
Agents of Discovery
Come help the Ministry of Culture at Colonel Allensworth SHP. Download the Agents of Discovery app on your smartphone or tablet and the Colonel Allensworth mission! The App is FREE! and does not require WiFi or cellular data to play once installed!

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

If you are coming by Train, Please call AmTrack at: 1-800-872-1477 or 1-800-USA RAIL

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., daily. The picnic area is shaded by trees planted by they California Conservation Corps and has BBQ stands and tables.

A self guided "Cell Phone Tour" is available on site, with each stop providing a breif history of the towns residents.

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.

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.

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.

Camping

Fifteen campsites, open all year, will accommodate RVs or tents. Each site includes a picnic table and a fire ring; flush toilets and showers are nearby. Facilities for disabled people are available. Turf, trees, and shade ramadas are other features.

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.

Social Feed

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California State Parks, State of California

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A century has passed since 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".

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Founded in 1984, the Friends of Allensworth (FOA) is a 501(c){3) non-profit cooperating association that works with the State of California's Department of Parks and Recreation. The mission of the FOA is to support, promote, and advance the educational and interpretive activities of Colonel Allensworth State Historic P

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Friends Of Allensworth, Bakersfield, CA. 1,015 likes. This page is designed to share your pictures and stories of Allensworth, to keep you informed of upcoming events at the park, to share...

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Colonel  Allensworth State Historic Park Special Tour for Black History Month 2021