Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park preserves Allensworth, the only California town founded, financed, and governed by African Americans. Established in 1908 in the southern San Joaquin Valley, the community was created by Colonel Allen Allensworth and fellow founders as a place where Black families could own land, gain education, and pursue economic independence. Farming and local businesses supported a growing settlement with a school, library, hotel, church, store, and other institutions. Decline began after water problems emerged in 1912 and worsened after Allensworth's death in 1914. Later preservation saved the townsite, which now stands as a rare reminder of an ambitious self-governing Black community.