November 14, 2004

California Department of Parks and Recreation Concerned About Negative Visual, Noise and Vibration of High-Speed Rail

At the November 10th public meeting of the California High-speed Rail Authority a tentative map of the route for the state of the art high-speed train system was unveiled. The route will run from Sacrament to San Diego, with bullet trains operating at speeds up to 220 mph.

Two routes from Fresno to Bakersfield had been considered, one running through Visalia and the other through Hanford. The staff recommended the Hanford route and that the 120 mile stretch be nonstop. Because of concerns about the negative visual, noise and vibration effects on Colonel Allensworth State Historical Park the California Department of Parks and Recreation opposed the Hanford route.

Visalia city officials have until December, when a final vote will be made on the route, to persuade the board to select the Visalia route.

For more information on the California high-speed rail visit the California High-Speed Rail Authority web site.

October 22, 2004

14th Annual Make A Difference Day

C-SET volunteers are headed to Allensworth on Saturday, Oct 23th to weed and plant trees for the 14th annual Make A Difference Day. Lesa Mann, who is organizing the event expects 600 volunteers to take part in volunteer activities at 13 sites.

Read the complete story at Visalia Times-Delta

September 30, 2004

Marge Patterson's Obituary

Mrs. Marge Patterson was born August 29, 1911, in Allensworth, California. She died Sept. 15 at age 93 in her East Sacramento home of 60 years. She was preceded in death by her late husband, Edgar James "Pat" Patterson, a close friend and confidant of California Gov. Earl Warren.

'View Marge Patterson Obituary at the Sacramento Bee.

September 14, 2004

Army Values: Tracing the seven Army Values through the history of the Army Chaplaincy.

The U. S. Army Chaplin Museum’s, at fort Jackson, SC, current online exhibit is titled Army Values: Tracing the seven Army Values through the history of the Army Chaplaincy. The seven values are loyalty, duty, respect, selfless-service, honor, integrity, and personal courage. Chaplain Allen Allensworth is the example for the Army Core Value of Respect.

View Museum’s Web Site

August 26, 2004

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Volunteers are needed to become docents at Colonel Allensworth State Historical Park, Allensworth, California. Volunteers will staff the new House Museums in the park during the annual Rededication on Saturday, October 9, 2004; Docents are rated as state employees on volunteer status. The hours of duty are between 10:00 and 4:00. You will be provided free membership in the Friends of Allensworth San Diego Chapter 12, training, transportation and food.

Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park is located 38 miles northwest of Bakersfield and is the only park in a 277 state park system that depicts the valuable contributions made by African American pioneers to the earlier development of California. Recently, the state has added several new museums after years of languishing in the development of the park. The Rededication is an annual event held to reflect the interest of the California African American community in making their history inclusive.

Friends of Allensworth, San Diego Chapter 12 is assisting Clever Connection in offering tour bus service on October 9, 2004. Plan now and reserve your seat before the bus is filled.

Please contact us at 619 263 9101 for more information. or email us at brohill2000@yahoo.com / parnelllovelace@cox.net

August 16, 2004

Freight train derails in Allensworth State Park

A freight train hauling corn syrup derailed Saturday (August 14, 2004) in the historic community of Allensworth, but no injuries or property damage were reported. A locomotive and 39 cars of a Burlington Northern Santa Fe train went off the track at about 5:40 p.m. as it was heading to the city of Richmond, railroad spokeswoman Lena Kent said. The cars also struck another freight train sitting on a siding, derailing two of its locomotives and a car, she said. The accident spilled corn syrup and closed the tracks in Tulare County, about 10 miles northwest of Delano.

To read more go to one of the following links:
Train derails in Allensworth
Train derails in historic California town; no injuries reported

August 15, 2004

Welcome

Dear Friends,

I would like to introduce you to the Friends of Allensworth, a volunteer association dedicated to increasing the awareness of the historical contributions that African Americans have made towards the development of the State and Nation. We are organized as a non-profit 501(c) 3 corporation. The town of Allensworth is very unique in that it is the only California town to be founded, financed and govern by African Americans. Allensworth is a town located 75 miles south of Fresno and 38 miles north of Bakersfield.

The town of Allensworth is now preserved as Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park of the State of California Park System. Efforts to restore the towns appearance are underway to recreate a time when Black pioneers, a mighty people of courage and vision, first settled the town of Allensworth. Unfortunately financial resources have been scarce and desperately necessary to preserving this worthy historical site.

As you are aware, the political climate is rapidly changing and a different attitude toward diversity has developed. It is often the popular opinion that minority spells dependency. This is an inaccurate portrayal. Minority interest has been shifted to a much lower priority in the political arena. Further, there has been a manor reversal of our moral sense as a nation that every citizen brings a positive contribution to society. The difference is the emphasis placed on that contribution. We must define a process that more accurately reflects these issues.

Reducing affirmative action in our institutions should strengthen our resolve to an affirmative solutions. This letter is addressed to you as a major player for helping to shape these changes in a positive way. We must project the positive attributes of the majority of African American that have made major sacrifices for the furtherance of this country on the global sense. Major advances in every achievement for 5this nation have a historical record of contributions by minorities too long omitted. It will require in depth research to get this data. Reading is a fundamental process to acquire it.

We have video tapes, pictures, storyboards, presentations and tours to further enhance your knowledge of this valuable information. Opportunities to show your support for California's only Historical Park, a living history lesson that recognizes the contributions made by Black pioneers to development of California include annual membership as an Ambassador for the Allensworth State Historic Park.

We hope you can take sometime to learn of the rich history of Allensworth. We encourage you to share this history with your friends, family and colleagues. We hope you will find it useful and we thank you for your interest in preserving this part of history.

Parnell Lovelace