One of the story ideas I’ve had for Life Besides the Tracks has been either a reference or a full story arc about Allensworth, the first community in California created by African Americans.
Mainly to at least give this part of California history some attention.
Mainly to at least give this part of California history some attention.
February 12, 2026 at 9:51 PM
One of the story ideas I’ve had for Life Besides the Tracks has been either a reference or a full story arc about Allensworth, the first community in California created by African Americans.
Mainly to at least give this part of California history some attention.
Mainly to at least give this part of California history some attention.
The story of Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park deserves more than a headline.
Founded by Colonel Allen Allensworth, the town of Allensworth was born from a belief that African Americans could thrive through education, self-reliance, and community control.
https://ow.ly/UxyR50Y7asi
Founded by Colonel Allen Allensworth, the town of Allensworth was born from a belief that African Americans could thrive through education, self-reliance, and community control.
https://ow.ly/UxyR50Y7asi
February 10, 2026 at 6:00 PM
The story of Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park deserves more than a headline.
Founded by Colonel Allen Allensworth, the town of Allensworth was born from a belief that African Americans could thrive through education, self-reliance, and community control.
https://ow.ly/UxyR50Y7asi
Founded by Colonel Allen Allensworth, the town of Allensworth was born from a belief that African Americans could thrive through education, self-reliance, and community control.
https://ow.ly/UxyR50Y7asi
Guess that explains why Netflix suddenly started doing low effort video podcasts
![“The DOJ is going to say that Judge Boasberg in the FTC Meta case had a lot of information — do you [Netflix] have information to back up your intuition that these other [platforms] are important?” Kovacic told DFD.
At least on the surface, according to Allensworth, there are some pretty big differences between Meta and Netflix’s circumstances — particularly the fact that it’s unclear whether Netflix has actually tried to build features to directly compete with YouTube. “Facebook had really begun to sort of clone and mimic the look and feel of TikTok [and YouTube], and so there was a good argument that they had become indistinguishable,” she said.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:lefgnuubxhos5g2xsabza4cs/bafkreie72lsdvjbzlgieehascryygcwwxyopbqxvyqszfwvbs6ohfvwsfa@jpeg)
February 9, 2026 at 10:45 PM
Guess that explains why Netflix suddenly started doing low effort video podcasts
I understood a few. What I especially understood is THIS IS AMERICA. I attended a Black History Month Festival at Colonel Allensworth Park yesterday. That is America, too. We are a bunch of stuff! Our strength is our diversity, what the stupid white guys running this country don’t understand.
February 9, 2026 at 1:53 AM
I understood a few. What I especially understood is THIS IS AMERICA. I attended a Black History Month Festival at Colonel Allensworth Park yesterday. That is America, too. We are a bunch of stuff! Our strength is our diversity, what the stupid white guys running this country don’t understand.
—Colonel Allensworth State HP (CA)
"Like Du Bois, Allensworth believed that Black people would be well served by relocating to the relatively less cruel California. And like another leading figure, Booker T. Washington, Allensworth promoted vocational education, land ownership, & self-sufficiency"
"Like Du Bois, Allensworth believed that Black people would be well served by relocating to the relatively less cruel California. And like another leading figure, Booker T. Washington, Allensworth promoted vocational education, land ownership, & self-sufficiency"
Allensworth and Black Resilience on Juneteenth
This Central Valley town was founded in 1908 to offer Black people respite from the Jim Crow South, but it was stymied by racism and failed. Today, it’s a state park where broken dreams exist alongsid...
www.altaonline.com
February 7, 2026 at 7:45 AM
—Colonel Allensworth State HP (CA)
"Like Du Bois, Allensworth believed that Black people would be well served by relocating to the relatively less cruel California. And like another leading figure, Booker T. Washington, Allensworth promoted vocational education, land ownership, & self-sufficiency"
"Like Du Bois, Allensworth believed that Black people would be well served by relocating to the relatively less cruel California. And like another leading figure, Booker T. Washington, Allensworth promoted vocational education, land ownership, & self-sufficiency"
Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park preserves the site of a remarkable California town founded, financed, and governed entirely by African Americans.
Read more here: https://ow.ly/L7sY50Y7aqh
Read more here: https://ow.ly/L7sY50Y7aqh
February 5, 2026 at 6:10 PM
Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park preserves the site of a remarkable California town founded, financed, and governed entirely by African Americans.
Read more here: https://ow.ly/L7sY50Y7aqh
Read more here: https://ow.ly/L7sY50Y7aqh
Allensworth founded in 1908 by colonel Allen allensworth and a group of other Black men was a refuge away from oppression. By the 1920s there were around 300 residents. Droughts and arsenic in the water led to loss of residents. In 1976 the empty town became a state historic park.
February 4, 2026 at 5:10 AM
Allensworth founded in 1908 by colonel Allen allensworth and a group of other Black men was a refuge away from oppression. By the 1920s there were around 300 residents. Droughts and arsenic in the water led to loss of residents. In 1976 the empty town became a state historic park.
Gold Runner to Run Special Trains to Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park for 2026 Black History Month Celebration, February7th
(February 2, Stockton, CA) – In honor of Black History Month, Gold Runner will run special trains to Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park for its 2026 Black History…
(February 2, Stockton, CA) – In honor of Black History Month, Gold Runner will run special trains to Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park for its 2026 Black History…
Gold Runner to Run Special Trains to Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park for 2026 Black History Month Celebration, February7th
(February 2, Stockton, CA) – In honor of Black History Month, Gold Runner will run special trains to Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park for its 2026 Black History Month Festival. The event will take place Saturday, February 7, 2026, beginning at 11:00 AM and concluding at 4:00 PM. Gold Runner has scheduled a special stop at the park for multiple trains, bookable at exclusive half-price “Allensworth fares.”
sb-american.com
February 4, 2026 at 2:06 AM
Gold Runner to Run Special Trains to Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park for 2026 Black History Month Celebration, February7th
(February 2, Stockton, CA) – In honor of Black History Month, Gold Runner will run special trains to Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park for its 2026 Black History…
(February 2, Stockton, CA) – In honor of Black History Month, Gold Runner will run special trains to Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park for its 2026 Black History…
Come to the Black History Month Festival at Colonel Allensworth Historic Park, Saturday, February 7. I’ll be reading from ELLEN on the main stage at 2:30 pm.
@californiaparks.bsky.social
@booksforblackkids.bsky.social
@bedazzledink.bsky.social
#kidlit
#Booksky
#reading
#writesky
@thebookseller.com
@californiaparks.bsky.social
@booksforblackkids.bsky.social
@bedazzledink.bsky.social
#kidlit
#Booksky
#reading
#writesky
@thebookseller.com
January 28, 2026 at 6:16 PM
Come to the Black History Month Festival at Colonel Allensworth Historic Park, Saturday, February 7. I’ll be reading from ELLEN on the main stage at 2:30 pm.
@californiaparks.bsky.social
@booksforblackkids.bsky.social
@bedazzledink.bsky.social
#kidlit
#Booksky
#reading
#writesky
@thebookseller.com
@californiaparks.bsky.social
@booksforblackkids.bsky.social
@bedazzledink.bsky.social
#kidlit
#Booksky
#reading
#writesky
@thebookseller.com
“Now that we're going to have access to more water, safer water, I'm just excited. And the new storage tank that comes along with it gives more access to a larger quantity of water,” said Sherry Hunter, Allensworth Community Service District board president www.visaliatimesdelta.com/story/news/l...
Allensworth to finally have safe drinking water
The historic Central Valley community of Allensworth could see changes with a new water well project.
www.visaliatimesdelta.com
January 27, 2026 at 8:48 PM
“Now that we're going to have access to more water, safer water, I'm just excited. And the new storage tank that comes along with it gives more access to a larger quantity of water,” said Sherry Hunter, Allensworth Community Service District board president www.visaliatimesdelta.com/story/news/l...
also shame to Greg Allensworth, of course it was him, the other day for calling him “player” instead of his name
January 25, 2026 at 7:27 AM
also shame to Greg Allensworth, of course it was him, the other day for calling him “player” instead of his name
and its greg allensworth officiating … this is gonna be cinema
January 24, 2026 at 12:13 AM
and its greg allensworth officiating … this is gonna be cinema
I heard some commentators say that umps have been saying “player” instead of Mark Edmondson, but the only ump I’ve seen say that is Greg Allensworth lmao, fuck that dude
January 23, 2026 at 6:09 AM
I heard some commentators say that umps have been saying “player” instead of Mark Edmondson, but the only ump I’ve seen say that is Greg Allensworth lmao, fuck that dude
A good story about some great news for a #historic #CA community in the #SanJoaquinValley: a new well, providing clean #water to Allensworth, which was the first town in California to be founded and governed by African Americans.
On Tuesday, residents of Allensworth celebrated a new well that will finally bring clean, abundant water to the town that was beset by water troubles soon after it was founded in 1908. #cawater mavensnotebook.com/2026/01/21/s...
SJV WATER: Water first destroyed, and will now rebuild, the historic town of Allensworth
By Lisa McEwen, SJV Water Starting nearly 118 years ago, arsenic-laced groundwater and dry wells all but killed the hopes of California’s only town founded and governed by African Americans, many of t...
mavensnotebook.com
January 21, 2026 at 11:53 PM
A good story about some great news for a #historic #CA community in the #SanJoaquinValley: a new well, providing clean #water to Allensworth, which was the first town in California to be founded and governed by African Americans.
#Photography Matt Black (2014), Allensworth, California, during the 2014 drought. /Magnum Photos, from his series 'The Geography of Poverty'.
January 21, 2026 at 10:10 PM
#Photography Matt Black (2014), Allensworth, California, during the 2014 drought. /Magnum Photos, from his series 'The Geography of Poverty'.
On Tuesday, residents of Allensworth celebrated a new well that will finally bring clean, abundant water to the town that was beset by water troubles soon after it was founded in 1908. #cawater mavensnotebook.com/2026/01/21/s...
SJV WATER: Water first destroyed, and will now rebuild, the historic town of Allensworth
By Lisa McEwen, SJV Water Starting nearly 118 years ago, arsenic-laced groundwater and dry wells all but killed the hopes of California’s only town founded and governed by African Americans, many of t...
mavensnotebook.com
January 21, 2026 at 5:58 PM
On Tuesday, residents of Allensworth celebrated a new well that will finally bring clean, abundant water to the town that was beset by water troubles soon after it was founded in 1908. #cawater mavensnotebook.com/2026/01/21/s...
The Harvard Center is delighted to announce the Spring series of Tea Talks. Speakers include Idriss Fofana, Anna Russo, @maidino.bsky.social & Rebecca Haw Allensworth. Please join us for the first talk on 2 Feb when @jingyihuang.bsky.social will discuss 'Help Wanted: New Jobs in the U.S. since 1860'
TEA TALKS
Help Wanted: New Jobs in the U.S. since 1860
histecon.fas.harvard.edu
January 21, 2026 at 1:41 PM
The Harvard Center is delighted to announce the Spring series of Tea Talks. Speakers include Idriss Fofana, Anna Russo, @maidino.bsky.social & Rebecca Haw Allensworth. Please join us for the first talk on 2 Feb when @jingyihuang.bsky.social will discuss 'Help Wanted: New Jobs in the U.S. since 1860'
Whew, glad I decided not spend tonight at Allensworth, looks a bit chilly 🥶🧐
January 21, 2026 at 4:34 AM
Whew, glad I decided not spend tonight at Allensworth, looks a bit chilly 🥶🧐
Today, CWC staff and CWLN members joined the Allensworth CSD at the Groundbreaking Ceremony for the construction of a new well. This has been in the works since 2012, and safe drinking water is finally becoming a reality. Allensworth is a testament to never giving up and to keep going.
January 21, 2026 at 1:00 AM
Today, CWC staff and CWLN members joined the Allensworth CSD at the Groundbreaking Ceremony for the construction of a new well. This has been in the works since 2012, and safe drinking water is finally becoming a reality. Allensworth is a testament to never giving up and to keep going.
Allen Allensworth was an American chaplain, colonel, city founder, and theologian. Born into slavery in Kentucky, he escaped during the American Civil War by joining the 44th Illinois Volunteers as a Union soldier.
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January 20, 2026 at 5:31 PM
Allen Allensworth was an American chaplain, colonel, city founder, and theologian. Born into slavery in Kentucky, he escaped during the American Civil War by joining the 44th Illinois Volunteers as a Union soldier.
Sign Up For The Newsletter: mailchi.mp/db95199bf592...
Sign Up For The Newsletter: mailchi.mp/db95199bf592...
Have you ever been to Nicodemus, Kansas? My extended family are farmers in Nebraska about 100 miles from that little town. The history is similar to that of Allensworth, but the town is still there with resident descendants of the original black settlers. My dad delivered bread there on his route.
January 18, 2026 at 6:16 PM
Have you ever been to Nicodemus, Kansas? My extended family are farmers in Nebraska about 100 miles from that little town. The history is similar to that of Allensworth, but the town is still there with resident descendants of the original black settlers. My dad delivered bread there on his route.
That's a great story! Thanks for sharing. I hadn't heard of Allensworth either until I started doing research for a stand alone episode on Altadena. You really have to dig for the info, but it's amazing to learn that it was the first successful Black town in CA...a vital piece of American history.
January 18, 2026 at 6:05 PM
That's a great story! Thanks for sharing. I hadn't heard of Allensworth either until I started doing research for a stand alone episode on Altadena. You really have to dig for the info, but it's amazing to learn that it was the first successful Black town in CA...a vital piece of American history.
Thank you for sharing this. The only reason I know about Allensworth is because my dad would follow every historical marker whenever we were on road trips. He saw the marker for Allensworth and we went looking for it. Seeing the neat, empty little ghost town struck me hard at about 12 years old.
January 18, 2026 at 5:47 PM
Thank you for sharing this. The only reason I know about Allensworth is because my dad would follow every historical marker whenever we were on road trips. He saw the marker for Allensworth and we went looking for it. Seeing the neat, empty little ghost town struck me hard at about 12 years old.
youtu.be/MqMNMVIVWYk
Allensworth was erased. Altadena was tested by fire.
This episode connects past to present. Tracing Black self-determination in California—and why thriving Black communities are so often targeted, erased, or rebuilt from ashes.
Because this is more than just history.
Allensworth was erased. Altadena was tested by fire.
This episode connects past to present. Tracing Black self-determination in California—and why thriving Black communities are so often targeted, erased, or rebuilt from ashes.
Because this is more than just history.
A Dream Deferred: Allensworth to Altadena [AAHIAH Ep. #135]
YouTube video by African American History Is AMERICAN History
youtu.be
January 18, 2026 at 3:20 PM
youtu.be/MqMNMVIVWYk
Allensworth was erased. Altadena was tested by fire.
This episode connects past to present. Tracing Black self-determination in California—and why thriving Black communities are so often targeted, erased, or rebuilt from ashes.
Because this is more than just history.
Allensworth was erased. Altadena was tested by fire.
This episode connects past to present. Tracing Black self-determination in California—and why thriving Black communities are so often targeted, erased, or rebuilt from ashes.
Because this is more than just history.
youtu.be/MqMNMVIVWYk
Allensworth was erased. Altadena was tested by fire.
This episode connects past to present. Tracing Black self-determination in California—and why thriving Black communities are so often targeted, erased, or rebuilt from ashes.
Because this is more than just history.
Allensworth was erased. Altadena was tested by fire.
This episode connects past to present. Tracing Black self-determination in California—and why thriving Black communities are so often targeted, erased, or rebuilt from ashes.
Because this is more than just history.
A Dream Deferred: Allensworth to Altadena [AAHIAH Ep. #135]
YouTube video by African American History Is AMERICAN History
youtu.be
January 18, 2026 at 3:20 PM
youtu.be/MqMNMVIVWYk
Allensworth was erased. Altadena was tested by fire.
This episode connects past to present. Tracing Black self-determination in California—and why thriving Black communities are so often targeted, erased, or rebuilt from ashes.
Because this is more than just history.
Allensworth was erased. Altadena was tested by fire.
This episode connects past to present. Tracing Black self-determination in California—and why thriving Black communities are so often targeted, erased, or rebuilt from ashes.
Because this is more than just history.