colonel allensworth state historic park

This is a great park to bring the family to learn about California History. They have a good movie presentation and you can arrange for a guided tour of the buildings on site if you have a large enough group -- Bring your lunch and have a picnic

This historic park shows and gives insight to a birth, boom, and death of a town. It does give a great picture to how towns where all started, how they boomed, and what happens when most towns dry up. It's a nice history lesson, as well as aspiring.

This was a great stop just off the 43. Lots of history from the early 1900s. There are a bunch of original buildings and the state employees are very knowledgable. A definite must!!!

We took the kids here on a whim. We saw the sign on the freeway and just headed that way. Very glad we didn't miss it and it has a certain feeling of the past standing in the present with you. It is very hot if you visit in the summer so I suggest planning a spring, fall, or winter visit. Not sure about the winter hours so check online.

My family enjoyed camping here...not a lot of people...quiet...and really cool to see the original homes of this state park, which, if I am not mistaken, was the first African American township west of the Rockies. A fully self-sufficient community until the railroad redirected the train lines...then economic dispair hit the town. You can see the original schoolhouse, etc. I also enjoy going when there is a Buffalo Soldier celebration. Good cultural experience for anyone.

During the African American period of 'forced self-reliance' (as Jim Crow-based customs hardened) around 1900, a Booker T Washington-sponsored group tried to establish a thriving agricultural community in the 'boonies' of remote Central California. Although initially successful, some bad luck and soil salinity problems unfamiliar to those mostly Southerners soon choked the crops and forced Allensworth's abandonment. A few elderly toughed it out for decades, remaining in their proud homes. Today, representative buildings are slowly being restored. A walking tour is recommended and I found the details of lives here fascinating. Its strange to think that in a few years, bullet trains might be whizzing by here. There are no services close by, so bring food and water. Juneteenth (around June 11) is an annual day of remembrance and celebration of Allensworth.

The park officials offer weekend ghost tours. Follow them on Facebook to stay informed. I have personally spoken to employees who have me convinced Col. Allensworth Park is haunted. They've even had private groups of "investigators" do their research there about the ghosts.

This is one of the best pieces of black history available. It is a little far from my home in Oakland but I do try to get there every year in October when they have a redeaction cermonyIt is always very interesting to me. It is expensive, well put together and a great pieces of Black History to explore. It's a ghost town only because no one lives there. Take the tours, and get some first hand information. I met some Buffalo's Soliders there, a Tuskegee Airmen was scheduled to come and speech unfortuanly he died before he made it there. you would have enjoyed Mr. Woodie and the wealth of information he would have given. I feel it is well worth the trip every year. Keep in mind it's and old town from back in the day .Kathleen

I disagree with the previous reviewer's take on Allensworth. It is not a ghost town. It is a State Park that gives homage to Lt Colonel Allensworth. The homes are being renovated. the plan is to try to replicate what the town looked like when it was founded. There are festvals several times a year. The homes that have been renovated are open to the public.They have volunteer tour guides that dress in period clothing. The guides give you tours of the home. They also give you the history of Allensworth. The homes are also furnished for the time period.The festivals are held in feb,may,june and oct. The homes,general store(the store sells actual merchandise) church,school,barbershop,hotel and library are open to the public when the festivals are going on.

I frequent Col. Allensworth State Park for camping because it's so secluded. The only real attraction is the ghost town, You can sometimes find a few people walking around in the afternoon on weekends but you can see all that in probably an hour or less. The terrain is flat and dry. no hiking, no water. This settlement was a failed farming community. I've been camping there several times with no one else there at all. I go to use my telescope and have a dark sky like nowhere else in southern california. That's the best thing this park has to offer. Not the place to go if you want tp do much else besides chill.