After his retirement from the military in 1906, Colonel Allen Allensworth founded the town of Allensworth in 1908, with the idea that African Americans could own property, learn, thrive, and live the American Dream. It was named by Lt. Colonel Allen Allensworth. It had a school system by 1910. With the death of Colonel Allensworth in 1914, the town experienced extreme losses, coupled with severe drought and decreased crop yields. Many residents left the area following World War I. The town was memorialized as a state park in 1974, and hosts events annually to preserve its history. Group portrait of Colonel William Payne (2nd from left) and 16 military colleagues, probably when he was a military chaplain to a unit of Buffalo Soldiers in the West. Written on back of photo: Louise shanks Collier, granddaughter of Col. Allensworth
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