Daryl Jones

Allensworth was founded in 1908 in California’s Central Valley as a haven for Black families. The town thrived on agriculture and small businesses but suffered when drought hit and a land company refused to drill promised wells. Allensworth would nearly vanish after its founder’s death and the diversion of their railroad to a nearby, all-white town. But a few families persisted and fought to preserve the town’s legacy, transforming Allensworth into “the town that refuses to die.” Now, Allensworth is once again put to the test. After years of drought and infrastructure challenges including a failing water system, its roughly [...]