Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park

Born into slavery in 1842, Allen Allensworth was the first African American to achieve the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. In 1908, he, along with four other men started building Allensworth - the first American town to be founded, financed, and governed by African-Americans. A drop in surface saturation of the land caused the town's subsequent demise, but today it is preserved in the confines of the state park. The buildings, which include the Colonel's house, a church, a schoolhouse, and library are beautifully restored. You can explore the town using the on-site "cell phone tour" as well as see a video presentation "Allensworth: A Piece of the World" in the visitor center. (Submitted by Riffy Riff)