Well, it’s been awhile since I’ve blogged our trips. We’ve been taking a weekend here and there to get away and explore some local areas. I’ve used the opportunity to regroup and refresh, and for the most part be disconnected. Alas, Spring has sprung and I’ve decided to make an effort and start capturing our trips again.
I’m sooooo sick of winter and really want to experience some warmer weather. Thus, we decided to just head South for a few days and see what happens. Our first stop is Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park. It’s in the middle of the valley and resides a bit outside of Bakersfield. What an interesting find.
In 1908 a group of African Americans led by Colonel Allen Allensworth founded a town where they were in control of their own destiny and lived independently. Today it’s a California State Park and many of the buildings and furnishings have been preserved. There is also a small campground, comprised of about 13 sites located at this historic park.
We decided to explore the town on bike.
There is a schoolhouse, a Baptist church, businesses, homes, a hotel, a library and various other structures. It’s a bit like Bodie, but everything is in great condition and not deteriorated at all.
Col. Allensworth was born a slave in 1842. He escaped and gained his freedom during the Civil War. He was commissioned as a chaplain of the 24th Infantry of the US Army in 1886. When he retired as a Lt. Col in 1906, he held the highest rank achieved to date by an African-American army officer. I’m glossing over his life, but he was really a remarkable individual.
Here’s some pics of the inside of the barber shop, milner store, schoolhouse and Colonel Allensworth home.
We really enjoyed stopping at all the homes and reading about the people. Each house tells the story of the family that resided here, where they came from, and what their contribution to the town included.
In 1914 the Santa Fe Railroad moved its rail stop from Allensworth to Alpaugh. As a result, much of Allensworth’s economic base was lost. This coupled with Col Allensworth’s death the following year, and the start of WWI caused the decline of the town. By 1973 it no longer appeared on the map and was scheduled for demolition. Fortunately, some dedicated individuals, along with some former residents, advocated to keep the history of this town alive.
If you have time on your hands and want to break up the trip traveling thru the Central Valley, I’d definitely recommend a stop at this historic park. It was definitely worth our time and a sweet little place to camp too! (flush toilets and free hot showers - just sayin’).
This is the free library.
