Colonel Allensworth STATE HISTORIC PARK
Vision summary
DRAFT October 2026
INtroduction Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park (SHP), California’s first historic park honoring the legacy of African American trailblazers, is undertaking a transformative project to construct a new Visitor Center and improve the associated Day Use Event Area. Colonel Allensworth SHP commemorates the founding of Allensworth as a planned Black township in California, a community intentionally built to foster Black self-determination, economic freedom, and civic pride in the early 20th century.
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In 2025, California State Parks launched a community engagement program to develop a long range vision for the park to:
• Strengthen the park’s role as both a historical landmark and a living cultural hub.
• Establish the planning foundation for the future Visitor Center and associated park improvements.
• Plan for long-term improvements. • Build long-term stewardship and stronger community relationships.
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visioning goals The visioning goals of the project are to: Uplift the legacy of Black selfdetermination by honoring the founding of the Allensworth township as a symbol of Black leadership, land ownership, and selfdetermination. Recognize interwoven histories by providing ideas for future interpretive elements and programs to include past and current stories about Black Americans and the lives and contributions of Latinx, migrant, and Native American communities connected to the region.
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Upgrade outdated infrastructure to address the significant need to modernize park facilities to meet present and future demands. Support visioning by assembling ideas for the Visitor Center and the long-term plan for Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park. Increase regional awareness that Colonel Allensworth SHP is a destination for tourism.
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Park context map
Pixley National Wildlife Refuge
colonel allensworth state historic park Atwell Recreation Area
Allensworth
Tulare County
Kings County Kern County
Kern National Wildlife Refuge
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Overview of colonel Allensworth state Historic park Earlimart
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Colonel Allensworth SHP, located in Tulare County, was dedicated in 1976 as California’s first state historic park to recognize the contributions of African American trailblazers in the state’s development. The park preserves and interprets the historic town of Allensworth, founded in 1908 by Colonel Allen Allensworth and four business associates through the California Colony & Home Promoting Association.
San Francisco
colonel allensworth shp
Los Angeles
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Established during the Jim Crow era as a selfsufficient Black community in California’s San Joaquin Valley, the Allensworth township represents an important chapter in American history, reflecting self-determination and community building despite systemic inequities. The park’s core is within the Historic District, listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972 and encompasses much of the original township. The 1976 General Development Plan established management policies focused on preserving and restoring the town during its primary period of significance (1908–1918), including reconstruction of key historic features for interpretive purposes.
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Over the past five decades, significant restoration work was completed, and an additional 781 acres were acquired to expand the park boundary, creating new opportunities for facility development, access improvements, and resource management. The current acreage of the park is 1,021 acres.
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About the Visitor Center Project In 2022, Governor Gavin Newsom allocated $40 million in the State budget for a new Visitor Center and associated improvements, programming, and educational opportunities. As envisioned through extensive meetings and discussions with stakeholders, the new Visitor Center will include: • Flexible spaces to support educational groups • Cultural and interpretive exhibit space • Reception area • Traveling exhibits • Community room • Staff offices • Restrooms • Gift shop
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The project also includes the enhancement of Day Use Event Area to better support the park’s large annual events and improve everyday visitor experience. The Day Use Event Area will include outdoor gathering spaces, event areas, a stage, picnic tables, benches, exterior interpretive elements, improved vendor area, shade elements, paths, and landscaping. Through continued engagement, these improvements will prioritize enhancements that uphold the park’s cultural significance and ensure its relevance for future generations.
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Vision outreach process Listening to the ideas of Colonel Allensworth SHP stakeholders was an important first step in the visioning process. California State Parks provided multiple ways to participate including: Pop-up Events (5 events)
Virtual Workshops (2 events)
Online Survey (163 responses)
Initial outreach events took place from February 2025 to October 2025, and outreach will continue through the development of the planning and construction of the future Visitor Center and associated park improvements.
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Thank you to all who shared their vision for the future!
The community provided input on the long-term vision and Visitor Center project both virtually and at the park via the annual Black History Month, Juneteenth, and Rededication events.
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Dreamkeepers of Allensworth The Dreamkeepers of Allensworth, the project working group, was established to help guide the Colonel Allensworth SHP Vision project. With this project, valued stakeholders, which include the living communities in and around Colonel Allensworth SHP, descendants, local and regional community-based organizations (CBOs), and those who are historically and culturally connected to the area were invited to be griots to share insights and feedback for the project.
Griot is a West African term for a trusted cultural knowledge bearer.
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The griots for this project dedicated their time and knowledge to guide and build their capacity to participate in discussions about the visioning, planning, and design of the Colonel Allensworth SHP Visitor Center and associated park improvements.
The Dreamkeepers of Allensworth are composed of approximately 16 members who have met monthly, beginning in February 2025. The Dreamkeepers have informed and advised California State parks on major project deliverables. Their guidance has ensured that stakeholders’ voices have been heard, valued, and reflected in the project development.
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what we heard Throughout the visioning process, we heard some common themes.
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Representation and Authentic Voice Community members highlighted that future park improvements must be informed by those with a connection to the park’s history. This includes working with descendants, the Black and Latinx communities, and Native Americans to ensure the stories being told are authentic.
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Black people are needed to authenticate what State Parks is trying to accomplish.
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The Park as a Cultural Destination
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Education and Youth Engagement
Participants emphasized the importance of raising the visibility of the park and wanted Colonel Allensworth SHP to become a “cultural mecca for Black history in Central California” and a destination for tourists nationwide. Community members want the park to inspire pride in Black ancestry and to “become a thriving attraction celebrating people of color.”
Underlining that the original purpose of the Allensworth township was to educate people to be self-sustaining, participants would like to see the theme of education continue at the park. They envision the park as a place to learn about Black history and emphasized youth involvement, identifying a need for a dedicated space for youth education programs.
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Youth participation is crucial if we are to sustain our history, culture, and legacy.
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Shared Stewardship To ensure the park continues to evolve and meet the needs of future generations, participants identified the need for collaboration between California State Parks and the community. California State Parks should engage community groups that will help spread awareness about the park and create the next generation of park stewards.
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We all have to be willing to do the work to bring people to the park.
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Accessibility A recurring concern expressed by participants is the need to accommodate people of all abilities, including the elderly and those with disabilities. Participants would like circulation improvements to reduce walking distances between attractions.
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Resilience to Extreme Heat Participants cited the need to plan for extreme heat. Shade is a “necessary and scarce commodity.” The park should plan for increased shade structures to accommodate large events and increase shading over gathering places throughout the park.
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Economic Vitality Reflecting Colonel Allensworth’s original vision of the “Tuskegee of the West,” the community sees the park as having a role in economic development of the surrounding region. This includes attracting visitors to the region and creating space for regular community events and meetings.
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vision and guiding principles The Vision for Colonel Allensworth SHP outlines its aspirational goals, while the Guiding Principles set the priorities to steer all future policies and projects for the park. Developed through a community visioning process, the Vision and Guiding Principles will guide future efforts at the park.
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v i s i o n stat e m e n t Colonel Allensworth SHP embodies the freedom, self-determination, and resilience demonstrated by the founding visionaries who established this Black town in 1908. Improved visitor-serving facilities will develop deeper visitor engagement, attract new audiences, and build lasting connections that sustain long-term stewardship while preserving and uplifting Black American history.
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g u i di n g pr in c iples The Guiding Principles build on the five pillars of the township’s founding—land, economy, co-governance, education, and self-determination. These Guiding Principles embody the Allensworth founders’ vision for a thriving, community-led place.
Preserving a Black Town as a Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places Preserve the integrity of Colonel Allensworth SHP’s National Historic District and its contributing features as a significant example of Black land ownership and self-determination in California history. Careful project planning and treatment and adherence to the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards ensure the legacy of this Black community survives and continues to inspire future generations.
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Centering Themes and Education in Storytelling Honor the legacy of the historic Black town and the living cultures of California Native Americans by sharing authentic stories and teachings from ancestors. Community-driven storytelling occurs by co-creating innovative educational programs and interpretation that resonates with our diverse audiences.
Building on a Legacy of Self-Determination Build on the legacy of Black self-determination in the town’s founding by welcoming all people and ensuring community voices continue to foster relevant programming.
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Fostering Intergenerational Stewardship Empower youth as the future stewards of the park while creating intentional space for elders and descendants to share their knowledge and cultural practices. Strategic outreach and engagement will build new audiences, ensuring the town’s story and cultural legacy are sustained and celebrated by generations to come.
Establishing a Welcoming Destination Through innovative design, the park will be a premier welcoming and accessible destination that connects people to the land, history, and community creating memorable visitor experiences.
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Respecting and Restoring Natural Systems Support the health of natural systems of the park and the region, including the water, wildlife, and vegetation, through land stewardship practices. Connect visitors to the ecological heritage of California Native Americans and the history of Pa’ashi (Tulare) Lake through environmental and climate education programming.
Ensuring Resiliency through Sustainable Park Design Sustainable park design will ensure long-lasting facilities and infrastructure that are compatible with the park’s unique natural resources and cultural landscapes.
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The parkwide concept reflects the ideas heard through the visioning process about future improvements at Colonel Allensworth SHP. Although only the Visitor Center project is funded at this time, State Parks can revisit the ideas gathered through the visioning process to guide future planning efforts at the park.
1. New Park Gateway. A new northern entrance from Avenue 56 will create a grand approach that reflects the significance of the park. The gateway will improve access from Highway 99 and Interstate 5, where enhanced signage will better announce the presence of Colonel Allensworth SHP. Should the northern entrance be constructed, the existing entrance would serve as secondary access and would continue to be used by visitors arriving by train. 2. Improved Camping/RV Area. An expanded camping area will accommodate group camping and recreational vehicle use to meet existing demand and expand overnight camping opportunities in the Central Valley.
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ACCESS FROM
I-5
1. NEW PARK GATEWAY
5. PATH TO ATWELL RECREATION AREA
LEGEND Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park Boundary Park Entrance
Secondary Entrance (Pedestrian Only)
Secondary Entrance
(Pedestrian/Service Only)
Key Pedestrian Connection Roadway Connection
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Entry Kiosk Parking Amtrak Stop Camping/RV Area 1976 Lorem Generalipsum Plan Historic Townsite Boundary Visitor Center and Day Use Area
3. Relocated Kiosk. Accompanying the new northern roadway, the kiosk will be relocated to create a memorable gateway where visitors seamlessly navigate to the Visitor and Day Use Event Area, historic core, and camping amenities.
OM ACCESS FR
SR-99
Parkwide Concept 2. IMPROVED CAMPING/RV AREA 3. RELOCATED KIOSK 43
4. VISITOR CENTER K P
5. CONNECTION TO LIVING COMMUNITY & PATH TO ALLENSWORTH CEMETERY
4. Visitor Center. The Visitor Center will frame the historic core of the park, providing information that fosters a deeper, more connected exploration of the site. The updated event area will serve as a homecoming, bringing people across the region together to celebrate shared stories and heritage.
5. Pedestrian Connections. Improved pedestrian connections to adjacent attractions such as the Allensworth Cemetery and Atwell Recreation Area will connect visitors to other important historical sites and wildlife attractions.
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N ext st e ps The future of Colonel Allensworth SHP is being shaped right now, and there are many ways to stay connected and get involved. Visitor Center Next Steps California State Parks is leading a public process, including workshops, pop-up events, and Dreamkeepers of Allensworth meetings, as well as formal Tribal Consultations, to inform the design of the Visitor Center. Potential environmental impacts will be evaluated prior to finalizing the design. Construction is currently anticipated to be completed by 2030, culminating in the opening of a landmark destination that honors Colonel Allensworth SHP and California’s Black history.
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Interpretive Planning and Design In coordination with the Visitor Center design, California State Parks is developing interpretive content for the Visitor Center and surrounding area. Through research and direct engagement with descendants, community members, and Tribal Nations, the team will create content that reflects the legacy of the township and its living present. To connect with and engage visitors, interpretive elements may include immersive multimedia presentations and exhibits that introduce visitors to the residents, significant events, and founding ideals of Allensworth.
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Avenue 56 Extension Feasibility California State Parks is undertaking a feasibility study to evaluate the potential extension of Avenue 56 to improve access to the park, making it easier for community members, school groups and visitors to engage with everything the park has to offer.
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Stay Connected Exciting things are in store for the park over the next several years. Visit https://www.parks. ca.gov/?page_id=583 for updates on design milestones, construction progress, community events and the project mailing list signup.
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*The images used in this document include Creative Commons licensed and public domain materials, images used under fair use where applicable, and licensed photographs from California State Park archives and the UCLA Miriam Matthews Photograph Collection. This document is for project use only. Images should not be reproduced, distributed, or used for other purposes without confirming applicable rights and permissions.