“To Become [A] Great Mecca For Race People”: Some Further History of the Black Colony of Allensworth, 1914-1930, Part Two

by Paul R. Spitzzeri

Continuing with a look at some of the history of the Tulare County town of Allensworth, established in 1908 by Lieutenant Colonel Allen Allensworth and others from greater Los Angeles as a colony for African-Americans, we turn to a notable article in the California Eagle, a Black-owned newspaper in the Angel City, titled “Shall Allensworth Survive?” This question, posed about a decade after its founding, was uttered by the Reverend John Dawson Gordon (1872-1951).

At the dawn of the 20th century, Gordon, a native of Georgia who was ordained a Baptist minister in his home state, migrated west with his wife Florence and members of his family, including two brothers, and settled in Riverside. After a brief pastorate at that city’s Second Baptist Church, he and his wife moved to Los Angeles, where he was the founder of the Tabernacle Baptist Church, located at 12th and Hemlock streets in the older African-American district along Central Avenue.

As that area became more commercial, the Black community moved further south along the Central corridor to what is now Historic South-Central and the Gordons resided there, even as the church remained in its original location (now it is near the Gordon residence at the corner of McKinley Avenue and East 41st Place). Gordon remained Tabernacle’s pastor for three decades before he moved, in 1945, to the Belmont Avenue Baptist Church, situated on Avalon Boulevard and 93rd Street in the Avalon Gardens section of the Angel City.

In his article, the Rev. Gordon began by observing that the colony “is the monumental work” of Allensworth, supported by William A. Payne and Oscar Overr, who took on the administration of the colony after the death of the town’s namesake in fall 1914. It was then noted that,

He founded Allensworth and for a great while this colony went forward with the usual enthusiasm which naturally attends new enterprises; but as the real obstacles and hindrances began to confront the newcomers, many grew discouraged, some went off and give [gave] this struggling community such a name that it would not attract; hence, the work has been greatly retarded.

Despite this candid admission of difficulties, Gordon added “I never dreamed that California held in store for me just such a surprise as I have had administered to me on my short visit to this community.” Payne sent an invitation to the minister, who observed that the educator’s “work has made him a name here that can never die,” to address the graduates of the Allensworth School.

After alighting from a Santa Fe train at the east end of the town, Gordon was greeted by Payne and Overr and the welcome was such that “made me not only feel at home, but I felt really that every Negro is seeking the very atmosphere and joy of freedom.” He was escorted to the town’s hotel, the building still standing, as does the school structure, at what is now Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park, and where “all the comforts of life were amply provided” by Mrs. R.D. Maddox, who “will certainly remind you, in her kindness, of mother and the good old days of long ago.”

Although it was evening and Gordon could see little of Allensworth, he professed that “I felt the town and loved it” and felt that, if he retained this sense on awaking the next morning, “I would certainly become a booster for this little town.” When he arose from slumber, “sight lent further enchantment to me” which engendered an attitude that there was “a community pulsating with the very joy of real freedom.”

Because of the nearly ended First World War, patriotism was the theme of the graduation exercises and presentations were given on “The Boy Scout in the Time of War,” the war garden, the work of the Red Cross during and outside of conflict and saving, presumably for war bonds. What was most notable to the pastor was Overr, who was justice of the peace, speaking at a flag raising and Gordon wrote of him that, in addition to being “a strong and unyielding prop” for Payne, “bearing the burdens in developing and holding together this struggling colony, has certainly forced this man in the foremost rank of the leaders of California.”

Moreover, the minister informed the Eagle‘s readers,

The struggles of his colony have a most wonderful effect upon every one of the leading characters which I chanced to meet. Among those who are particularly interested is Mrs. [Josephine] Allensworth, the wife of the lamented Colonel. We were glad to find her so happy in the growth and accomplishments of the young colony. She is like the morning star to this town, and her presence is a constant inspiration to the people.

Also featured was William H. Dotson, who had the distinction of being the first African-American constable in California and who also ran a livestock ranch. His wife Louise was the Allensworth librarian and also headed the Red Cross auxiliary and the war work campaign of the local chapter of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union. The Dotson house and barn also remain at the state park.

Highlighted, as well, was William H. Wells, who, with his ill wife and three children, was the second resident of Allensworth and who was quoted as saying that his motivation in settling in the colony was “I am trying to prove to the white man beyond a shadow of a doubt that the Negro is capable of self-respect and self-control.” Gordon reported that Wells, with his 20 acres, “is a living example of the limitless possibilities of this colony” and it was noted that he had two wells filling a reservoir capable to supplying 100 acres and that, on half his holding, he made $200 in 100 days raising broom corn.

While the Rev. Gordon was clear in his exposition about the challenges facing the town as it entered its second decade, the Eagle reported on a hopeful sign emanating from Allensworth in late April 1919, as it printed a communication in its edition of the 26th that remarked, “in a way that has brought forth commendation from friend and foe alike, Allensworth has proceeded to solve her water and consequently community problem.” This was because the San Joaquin Light and Power Company provided the electricity for pumps “and an abundance of water leaped forth from boundless artesian depths.”

While one would have assumed that this would have brought cheering and rejoicing, the account continued that “the citizens of Allensworth have been on the job long enough, [and] have struggled and attempted to solve civic problems sufficiently” that their feelings were not merely manifested verbally “but deeper and firmer from the soul.” Those issues confronted by the colonists were “too sacred to be poured into the ears of the mere passerby” and were of the kind “handed down from generation to generation” among Black Americans. It was added,

One thing is established though, and that is that Allensworth as a community is on the map to stay. The citizens of Allensworth have no quarrel wiht [sic] many who do not believe in their efforts and plans for racial uplift. They know that success on their part will bring to the community prestige and due consideration.

It was continued that another nagging problem was that some landowners were borrowing off their holdings and letting foreclosures proceed on those mortgages, while others with shares of stock in the water company permitted delinquencies and the resulting sale. This led to the observation that the Allensworth Rural Water Company would have to become tougher on shareholders now that it had obligations with the aforementioned power company.

Moreover, it was reported that “through hte [sic] efforts and residence of citizens here land values have trebled and in some instances increased even more” and it was asserted that the adjacency of the town on the Santa Fe line “enhances its value and convenience” such that the growing number of white settlers in nearby sections meant that “they see the value of our holdings and know of hte [sic] future value. The piece concluded, “if the out-of-town land owner will but do his duty, Allensworth will flourish, land values will further increase, and the status of the negro in California will be further enhanced.”

The same issue included a short article which asserted that, because Tulare County was engaged in street grading in the colony as well as on a road heading west “giving us immediate connection with the Highway (State) leading either to Los Angeles or San Bernardino”—this apparently being, U.S. Route 99, the precursor to today’s Interstate 5,

The success of Allensworth thus far is a memorial to its founder, Col. Allensworth and a criterion of the prowes[s] of the negro and his ability to stick.

Another highlighted event of importance during this period came in June, when the state convention of Black Baptist churches was held at the colony. Eagle owner and editor Charlotta Bass was in a party of five Los Angeles residents who drove up and arrived as the first day of the confab was ending. While the two men stayed at the home of Josephine Allensworth, the three ladies boarded with the Wells family and meals were had at the town hotel.

Aside from the minutiae of the proceedings of the convention, the Eagle also remarked on the entertainment provided by the denizens of the colony to the attendees, including the presentation of a cantata on the theme of Snow White, portrayed by Nannie Archer, whose “sweet singing and artistic stage work” led some to pronounce her “a coming star.”

Bass added that the pupils “in scholarship and deportment surpass anything in their line and grade of work we have been privileged to experience” while Payne and assistant Margaret Prince were lauded for “certainly demonstrating not only to the people of California, but to the country at large that Colored Teachers measure up to any other class or kind.” State Superintendent of Education Will C. Wood was also in town to address the graduates of the Allensworth School as commencement took place during the convention.

Bass promised Eagle readers that the next edition would include more about the colony “in order that race people all over the State may actually know what Allensworth stands for; as to her future possibilities” and the issue of the 28th included an article titled “Allensworth To Become Great Mecca For Race People.” The piece queried “will Allensworth come into her own?” and added that the 50 attendees of the Baptist conference “came away from that struggling little colony with this question ringing in their minds.”

Noting that the town was established a decade prior, Bass remarked that “Col. Allensworth put all of his strength back of the Allensworth proposition because he believed firmly in the solution of what is termed the race problem through this medium.” It was cautioned, however, that “Allensworth is not set apart as a segregated colony” and that the founder “proposed to make the Colored constituency a component part of this commonwealth” and that his intention was that “after securing the Allensworth tract, that members of the race would be apt to broaden further in Tulare County.”

Under the heading of “Allensworth As It Is,” the piece went on to observe that “for the past nine or ten years persons from all parts of the State have visited Allensworth, and queer were the tales they brought back,” including claims that it was segregated, that water was not available and that the soil was not arable. Addressing the first, it was remarked that there were white children attending the school and the achievements of Payne and Prince were highlighted and the pupils praised as Bass pronounced, “in all of our experiences we have never seen such a well-trained and well-behaved group of school children.” Payne was “piling up history that will redowne [redound] to the glory and honor of his posterity” while Prince “walks with sweet dignity” such that “the girls feel her influence and graciously imitate her life.”

The article also contended that “water is plentiful, and the soil will produce anything that is produced anywhere in the great State of California” and it was concluded that,

It seems that the pioneers or first settlers attracted to this section were sturdy race men and women and with all the knocks and bumps received by the army of kickers who pass from time to time they have never lost hope for they possess the true spirit of the pioneer.

In its next edition, that of 5 July, the Eagle addressed “The Business Life of Allensworth,” including a grocery store across from the railroad depot that was well supplied and, on the same street, which “no doubt will be the main street of Allensworth some future day,” was the post office, handled by William Wells. Nearby was the Singleton store, the building of which still exists and the paper added that “after landing, the first thing [a visitor] should do is to see Mr. [Joshua] Singleton and let him smile the sunshine of Allensworth into your soul.”

Elmer C. Carter, who headed the colony’s Chamber of Commerce, was cited for owning a 200-acre farm and stocking nearly 90 cattle, hogs and horses, while James Hackett was praised for his “leaving no stone unturned in his effort to people Allensworth.” Merchant Zebedee Hindsman, with his wife Sarah, owned a store and adjoining house, both constructed in 1911 and at the park today and, as current justice of the peace (succeeding Overr who returned to Pasadena), he was described as “the first and only black judge we have ever looked upon in these United States.” Yet, it was added, “even though he is black,” Hindsman “wears his long tail coat just the same as any other judge, and what I mean [is he] carries his head just as high.”

The piece also praised the high quality meals at the hotel, though lodging was not taken there, while the library “made the gravest impression on us” and the “neat little frame building away from the center of the little town” offered 160 books “highly appreciated and carefully read by the children of Allensworth.” Josephine Allensworth hosted a tea there during the convention and the article ended with the remark that the founder’s widow still maintained her residence in the colony for most of the year at what was “the spot nearest the heart of her deceased husband, while it was added,

As we saw Mrs. Allensworth at Allensworth, we hold her in o[u]r memory as the Guardian Angel hovering sweetly and gently over those she would guard against any storm of adversity.

The Los Angeles Times of 11 May reported from a local correspondent in Tulare County that the Board of Supervisors at Visalia decided that “Negroes of the Allensworth Colony, peopled entirely by that race, are to be allowed to continue in full control of their colony affairs . . . restoring to an official status the Allensworth judicial township.” This was after a prior decision by the supervisors to move the community into the Tulare township, but “a protest was filed by the negroes.” This led to the appointment of Hindsman as justice of the peace and George A. Archer as constable.

We’ll return tomorrow with a concluding third part, so be sure to check in with us for that.