Colonel Allensworth State Park.

Black Ghost Town

A unique historic California town devoted to living with self-respect, Allensworth was founded, financed and governed by African Americans in 1908. The utopian project was led by Colonel Allen Allensworth, former slave, who had become the highest ranking black US military man - a colonel. The community survived until an unexpected drop in the water table turned it into a ghost town.

Now Allensworth is a state park, with a 4-block area being restored to its 1910 era glory, when there were about 300 residents. The Park Visitor Center shows a 30 minute film.

Black Ghost Town

Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park

Address:: Highway 43, Earlimart, CA
Directions:: Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park. 30 miles north of Bakersfield on Hwy 43, 7 miles west of Earlimart on County Road J22.
Hours:: 10 am - 4 pm. (Call to verify)
Phone:: 661-849-3433

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April 11, 2013