Black Towns Project Archive

Black Towns Project Archive This archive supports the Black Towns Project - an effort to preserve and promote the stories of over 200 historically black towns in the United States.

The Black Towns Project is an effort to preserve and promote the continued study of these crucial, and sometimes forgotten, stories from America’s past. We invite you to browse our Black Towns Index (categorized by state and town) on the website and explore the history of these important town-building efforts. This site is still under construction, but the complete list of towns by state is available to browse. The Black Towns Project will continue to add information and town histories, and invites those who do not see a town on the list to submit it through our Submit a Black Town page. If you would like to moderate a black town page, please visit our Moderate a Black Town’s Page to sign-up.

09/22/2026

The collection’s 300,000 pages record the lives of enslaved people in countries including the Bahamas, Barbados, Jamaica, Mauritius, South Africa and Trinidad

09/22/2026
09/22/2026

24 months. Learn more

09/21/2026

The Oklahoma Historical Society will host Caleb Gayle for a guest lecture at the Oklahoma History Center in Oklahoma City on Thursday, September 24. The event will be held from 7 to 9 p.m., and doors will open at 6:30 p.m.

Caleb Gayle is an award-winning journalist and the author of “Black Moses: A Saga of Ambition and the Fight for a Black State” and “We Refuse to Forget: A True Story of Black Creeks, American Identity, and Power.”

“Black Moses” charts the rise of Edward McCabe and his efforts to create a Black state in Oklahoma Territory during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The OHS recognized “Black Moses” with the E. E. Dale Award for Outstanding Book on Oklahoma History.

After the lecture, there will be a question-and-answer session, followed by a book signing and reception. Copies of “Black Moses” will be available for purchase.

The event is free and open to the public. Registration is requested. We put a link in the comments and our bio.

Support for this event is provided by the Oklahoma Civil Rights Trail Grant Program.

09/21/2026

Join us on Saturday, October 10, 2026 in celebrating 50 years since Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park was dedicated and opened to the public at the Annual Rededication. Activities for the celebration include:

9AM - The Colonel Allensworth 5k Run/Walk for Health 5K certified race to raise support for the State Park and to raise awareness about health issues which is one of the highest priorities facing California and the country at large. All proceeds from the 5K race will benefit the park. Registration: $25 adults; $20 seniors; $10 (Youth 12 years and younger) payable to the California State Parks Foundation. For additional information please call (916) 346-4767. Virtual Runner Walker: Donation of $25 or more you will receive a T-shirt by mail. Register at https://www.active.com/earlimart-california-ca/running/distance-running/colonel-allensworth-18th-annual-5k-run-walk-for-health-2026 .

11AM - Tour the historic and reconstructed buildings throughout the park and learn about Lieutenant Colonel Allen Allensworth, a minister and teacher and the highest-ranking African American officer of his time, retired from the military and came to California, where he joined Professor William Payne, an educator; Dr. William Peck, a minister; John Palmer, a Nevada miner; and Harry Mitchell, a Los Angeles realtor, to form the California Colony and Home Promoting Association. In 1908, they established the town of Allensworth, a town built on the idea of the dignity of the human spirit. The African American people who settled in Allensworth wished to build a place of their own where they could control their own destiny and where they could achieve their full potential, free from discriminatory laws and practices of the time. Enjoy music, live entertainment, historical reenactors of the Buffalo Soldiers, dancing, food and merchandise for purchase. Enjoy watching the film Allensworth: A Piece of the World to learn more about the impact of Allensworth on California history. Admission is free.

1PM - Official rededication ceremony of Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park to the people of California at the day use area stage.

Amtrak Gold Runner is providing discounted tickets to the Allensworth whistle stop for this event.

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Ada, OK
74820

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