Allensworth, the Freedom Colony: A California African American Township

By Alice C. Royal

In 1908, an escaped slave turned army officer named Colonel Allen Allensworth founded a small town in California's Central Valley where African Americans could thrive. Over the next decade some three hundred Black pioneers established a self-sufficient farming community with its own school, church, businesses, and municipal government. Although the community only flourished for a handful of years, it nonetheless became a symbol of the possibility of a fairer America in the era of Jim Crow. In words and photographs, Allensworth, the Freedom Colony tells the story of this town from its beginnings to the creation of Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park. The voices of former Allensworth residents are prominently featured throughout a narrative expertly woven by Alice C. Royal--one of the last people to be born in the community--and writer/photographer team Mickey Ellinger and Scott Braley. This updated edition features a beautiful new cover and a publisher's note from Malcolm Margolin.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1597143413
• ISBN13: 9781597143417
• Release Date: February 2016
• Publisher: Heyday Books
• Length: 160 Pages
• Weight: 1.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 9.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Wonderful Book

I am very pleased that I decided to purchase this book. The pictures make the work come to life. The stories of success and hardships that these pioneers had are fascinating. Any body interested in California, U.S. history, or more specifically Black history would do themselves well to check out this book.

And beautiful too!

As other reviewers have commented, this is indeed the definitive book on Allensworth and we are lucky to have so accessible. I would just add that it is engagingly written as well as beautifully photographed and laid out. Rare to have such a great "coffee-table book" also be so incisive.

The Definitive Work on the Town of Allensworth

I felt honored to have attended the recent 100th anniversary celebration of the town of Allensworth, founded in 1908 by Lt. Col. Allensworth and others. Allen Allensworth was a Buffalo Soldier and a chaplain for the 24th Infantry, who, when he retired, was the highest-ranking African American in the military. He was a role model who promoted self-determination, hard work, civility and dignity. Alice Royal is a descendant of one of Allensworth's founding families and together with two journalists has created the definitive work on the town, founded during the dark years of Jim Crow. My wife's great aunt and uncle were also one of the founding families of Allensworth, and Royal makes you feel like you were part of the scene. Allensworth: The Freedom Colony is not only well-documented, but it contains both original photos and re-enactments of docents wearing period clothing. It is a pleasure to read and necessary for anyone who wants a better understanding of the time period, as well as background information on African Americans in California during the early 20th century.

Vera's Review

THE UNTOLD STORY OF CALIFORNIA'S ONLY AFRICAN AMERICAN TOWN. Some three hundred families relocated to California's Central Valley between 1908 and 1918 to establish Allensworth -- A town African Americans could call their own.. Challenged by a variety of circumstances and doomed when a water company failed to come through on its promises ,the town disintegrated . Nonetheless it now still stands as Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park. More than twenty buildings in the downtown area have been restored to resemble the town as it was from the beginning. The book tells the story of the town from its beginnings - from Colonel Allensworth's vision, to the financing of the land purchase, to the establishment of the community, to the inspired creation of the park, and currant concerns about the future.. Alice C. Royal, the author, is a descendant of the town's first settlers. She narrates the story using contemporary and archival photographs plus material drawn from her own memories. She also used materials provided by volunteers and the park's collection of oral histories.

excellent book!

I loved reading this book. it was informative and entertaining. I felt that I had an inside look at a fascinating aspect of history. it was a great combination of personal stories and outside narrative. the photos were excellent and really added to the story. if you're interested in African-American history, California history, or just people in general, read this!