FOA President Elected to Board of CALPA

Last week Friends of Allensworth Statewide President Thomas Stratton was elected to the board of the California League of Park Associations (CALPA) during the league’s 2011 conference in Mendocino, California.

The League, formed in 1983, is a volunteer group that provides support to Cooperating Associations affiliated with specific parks in the California State Park System. The League is divided into six regions serving the San Diego, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara/Monterey, San Francisco Bay, Inland (Sacramento) and Northern (Red Bluff north) areas.

The League provides support to Cooperating Association by:

• Arranging workshops, conferences and providing a free resource library for members

• Being an advocate for California State Parks

• Recognizing excellence within the family of Cooperating Associations

• Transmitting information between California State Parks, Cooperating Associations and other related Park Organizations

• Furthering the common interests of Parks Associations and members

President Stratton congratulations on being elected to the board of the California League of Park Associations.

Stephen Hill, Sr.

Lantern Light "Ghost Tour"

Colonel's Home

On Saturday, June 4th the California State Parks will host the first of three Lantern Light “Ghost Tours” for 2011.

The Ghost Hunters of the Porterville Ghost Society, the first ghost hunting group to be given permission to investigate Allensworth for paranormal activity, will lead visitors on a night time tour of Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park.

The Ghost Hunters will also share information about their first investigation of Allensworth. Accompanied by a State Park Ranger, a KMPH Channel 26 news crew and the Porterville Recorder, the ghost hunters heard footsteps following them on a gravel roadway. During their first investigation of the park they even managed to record voices, cookware and furniture being moved and the ringing of a 30’s-40’s era phone or alarm clock. Group members also heard the sound of small feet running by the school yard.

The Porterville Ghost Society’s report of the Allensworth Investigation includes EVPS; high-speed version for Electronic Voice Phenomena, recorded in the Smith House and Allensworth Home.

The tours are not recommended for children under 12.

The first tour starts at 8:30 pm with the second tour starting at 10:30pm. The tours cost $10.00 per person.

For more information about the tour or Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park contact Steve Ptomey at 661-849-3433 or email sptomey@parks.ca.gov.


Stephen Hill, Sr.

High-Speed Train Public Meeting

Fresno to Bakersfield section of the 800-mile California High-Speed Rail

This week the California High-Speed Rail Authority have been hosting public Information meetings to answer questions and get input on the next steps for the Fresno to Bakersfield section of the California High-Speed Train project.

The first segment of the High-Speed Rail will begin near Madera, north Fresno, and end in Shafter, about 1o miles north of Bakersfield. The initial segment will incorporate as many as 120 miles depending on which of the alternative alignments are selected.


• Through Corcoran OR Corcoran Bypass


• West of Allensworth Park OR along BNSF east of Allensworth Park


• Through Wasco & Shafter OR Wasco & Shafter Bypass


The alignment adjacent to the BNSF will impact Allensworth State Historic Park; the alternative west of the BNSF will avoid Allensworth State Historic Park.

For those in the Bakersfield area you can attend the Thursday, May 19, 2011, meeting at the Marriott Hotel, 801 Truxtun Ave, Bakersfield. From 5 -7 pm.



Stephen Hill, Sr.