Tulare County Free Library. Photo found at the Library Road Trip.
There is no denying that writing about Allensworth has its challenges, but not for reasons one might think. Readers could argue that this State Historic Park should not be listed as threatened, given its protection under the state's umbrella. Can we however, definitively declare that our parks are really saved? The continued budget problems in Sacramento have caused many state parks to be fiscally challenged. Subsequently, they are suffering from deferred maintenance and understaffing, particularly parks involving historic buildings. Until the state parks are supported by sufficient funding, their sustainability is at risk.
What perturbs this blogger most is missing Allensworth's story for the 48 years I have been a Native Californian. During my formative years, California history was limited to grand statements of land and gold discoveries, romanticized visions of the California Mission system, and field trips to seek out a railroad's golden spike. A similar narrative was presented on our American history, which I always associated with "over there" and to the east of California's left bank. Places affected by Civil War in particular seemed far, far away.
It was not until I watched California Forever, a film David Vassar and Sally Kaplan, that I discovered Colonel Allensworth and understood California's connection to American lives affected by the Civil War. His story, and the story of free people creating a self-governing place in California's Central Valley, is indeed a story that follows the American dream. It is also a story that greatly contributes to the mosaic of California's past.
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