Founded in 1908, Allensworth represents a township in California founded, financed, governed and populated by African Americans. Located in the San Joaquin Valley, it was founded to be an agricultural community and center of learning. Where, African Americans only 50 years out of slavery could become economically independent. Due to the lack of a dependable water supply, the untimely death of Colonel Allen Allensworth, and other factors, the town's future was bleak. By 1918, the town began to struggle. The historic portions of the town joined the California State Parks System in 1973. It is formally listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a California Historic Landmark. Here is a link to the park site.