By Clifford L. Williams

The historic all-black township of Allensworth celebrated its 100th anniversary last weekend when thousands of visitors from Northern and Southern California, as well as from other parts of the country, descended on the park to participate in the festivities.

   The two-day centennial celebration included state and local proclamations from Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and dozens of legislators, special tours, an array of musical entertainment from high school choirs, square dancing and history lessons on Allensworth.
    Other activities included airplane flyovers by the Black Pilots of America, jazz bands, a Buffalo Soldier living history interpretation and conversations with descendents of the families who founded the unique town in 1908.
    The keynote speaker during Saturday’s celebration was Lonnie Bunch III, founding director of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. “I find the story of Allensworth one that is instructive, historically significant, highly inspirational and important for all of us to remember,” said Bunch.
    “At a time when most black Americans struggled to overcome bigotry, poverty and the limitations created by segregation, Colonel Allensworth and the other pioneering settlers of this community refused to accept a life of despair, discrimination and limited opportunities. Because of this, Allensworth became a beacon of possibility whose influence and fame transcended the borders of California. This is a story the nation should be proud of,” said Bunch.
    The town of Allensworth was named for Lt. Col. Allen Allensworth, a former slave who became the highest ranking African American in the U.S. Army. Born into a Kentucky slave family in 1842, he was sold for trying to learn to read and write, and eventually escaped slavery by joining the Union Army. He then served in the U.S. Navy from 1863 to 1867 and was honorably discharged as a petty officer, first class.
    The Allensworth dream was to create a place where African Americans could improve their economic and social status. In 1908, he and colleague William Payne bought 800 acres in the Central Valley, touting the town as a place where blacks could own property and live without oppression.
    Word spread, and the town thrived for about 10 years, with a post office, schoolhouse, bakery, barbershop, restaurants, a general store and a hotel. It had the first public library in Tulare County. After Allensworth died, the town was eventually abandoned and finally reclaimed as a state park in 1976. Buildings were restored, and the park now draws about 10,000 visitors a year.
    Today, African Americans throughout the state and the nation see Allensworth as a unique settlement that was the dream and inspiration of a group of people looking for a better life and a place to live in a self-sufficient environment, free from discrimination.
    Since 1985, California State Parks has spent over $9.4 million for reconstruction, restoration, furnishings and infrastructures at the historic park. Extensive road, utility and other infrastructure improvements have been made.
    More than 22 different structures have been reconstructed or restored. Today, a walk through the town is an experience in turning back the clock, because one sees much of the restored community as it appeared in the early 1900s. The town of Allensworth is located in Tulare County, a short distance west of Highway 99 between Visalia and Bakersfield.