Black History of Tulare County (Allensworth, California)

Colonel Allen Allensworth dreams of a place to where African Americans could live and depend on their own motivation and determination to exist as a town govern by African Americans came to light on August 3rd, 1908 when the Colonel along with the California Colony and Home Promoting Association (William Payne Educator, John W. Palmer a miner, William Peck a minister, & Harry Mitchel a real estate expert), found and purchased land in Tulare County. The location in which became Allensworth, California was twenty-five miles from Tulare & ten miles from Delano, Kern County

Colonel Allensworth who was born into slavery in 1842 rose to the place of recognition in 1877 He married Josephine Leavell, in 1886 he accepted the post as chaplain for the all black troops 24th Infantry Army unit, in 1906 the time of his retirement from the Army Lieutenant Colonel Allensworth was the highest ranking African American in the Army. This distinction made his quest for establishing a township for former military soldiers and families more promising. The Colonel would seek out Mr. Oscar Overr to promte the town and the development possibilities to others.

Professor William Payne

Colonel Allen Allensworth

Oscar Overr

The Begining of township

The early days of Allensworth

Allensworth School

Built in 1912, the school had two classrooms, two dressing rooms and one stage area; it was the center of activity for the Allensworth community; school activities included Debating Society, Theater Club and Glee Club; the school closed in 1972.

Allensworth House

Colonel Allen & Josephine Allensworth, was requested and built by Sears comapny in 1911 and served as the couples home until the death of the Colonel in 1914, Josephine would relocate to Los Angeles with her daughter.

Mary Dickerson Memorial Library

Prior to becoming a library, this was the site of the first school in Allensworth; the library is named after Mrs. Allensworth’s mother. The library received a monthly allotment of books from the Tulare County Free Library and donations from the community.

Singleton’s General Store & Post Office

It opened in 1910 by Joshua and Henrietta Singleton. The store sold a variety of merchandise and served as a weigh station for wagons.

Hindsman's General Store

Opened in 1911 by Zebedee and Sarah Hindsman.

Allensworth Hotel

Opened in 1910 by Clara and John Morris; the hotel had 8 guestrooms and charged 75 cents per night.

Smith House

Laura Smith became one of Allensworth's most recognized women after the death of her husband Frank  in 1912, She served on the school trustee board and as the President of the Women Improvement League.

Grosse's Drugstore

Owned by Mary Grosse from 1912 to 1918. The store sold a variety of medicines and cosmetics.

Allensworth Christian Church

Sunday worship begins at 10:45 am

First Baptist Church

The original building burned down, Rebuilt as part of the Historical Park