Amtrak will again provide special train service to Col. Allensworth State Historic Park in Tulare County for an event marking the 49th anniversary of the park’s creation on October 11. The site preserves the history of a town co-founded in 1908 by Allen Allensworth, who envisioned it as a center for Black economic and civic life.
On the day of the event, Amtrak is offering a 50% discount for travel on its San Joaquins line to the park. This line operates five daily round trips between Bakersfield and Oakland, with a sixth trip extending north to Sacramento. Stops include Modesto, Denair, Merced, Madera, Fresno, and Hanford.
The observance will take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., featuring food vendors, live music and dance performances, and tours of historic buildings at the park. Amtrak will operate three southbound and three northbound trains arriving at different times throughout the day. Further details are available at www.amtrak.com.
Allen Allensworth was born into slavery in Kentucky in 1842 and escaped during the Civil War by joining the Union Army. He later became a chaplain for Black troops, including Buffalo Soldiers in the cavalry, retiring in 1906 as the highest-ranking Black officer up to that time. After his military career, he spoke publicly about advancing opportunities for Black Americans and helped establish Allensworth with other leaders as a model community. While plans for a college dubbed “Tuskegee of the West” did not materialize, the town supported over 300 residents at its peak with institutions such as a church and schoolhouse.
The town declined over two decades due to issues like loss of water supply and rail access. Colonel Allensworth died in 1914 after being struck by a motorcycle near Los Angeles.
Amtrak crews set up temporary platforms for these special trains since regular stops are not available at this location. Entry fees apply only to those arriving by car or bus; there is no charge for train passengers entering on foot.
Since partnering with California State Parks in 2018 on these trips—some coinciding with Juneteenth or Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday—ridership has increased significantly. Tom van der List of KP Public Affairs reported that attendance grew from 97 participants at the first event to more than 500 during this past Juneteenth celebration.
Park interpreter Lori Wear stated: “The train service has helped thousands of Californians experience the rich history and enduring legacy of Col. Allensworth in an accessible, affordable and memorable way. We’re beyond excited for this year and continuing this progress into the future.”
Present-day Allensworth features several preserved structures including Colonel Allensworth’s home, along with a schoolhouse, barber shop, church, and nearby campground facilities.
California has allocated $40 million toward constructing a new visitor center—which could open by 2029—and making additional upgrades to park infrastructure; fundraising efforts have also been supported by Friends of Allensworth.
For visitors driving to the event, entry fees are $10 per car, $50 per small bus, or $75 per large bus; directions suggest taking Highway 99 south to Fresno before turning onto Highway 43 toward the park.
