By Nicholas Ibarra | OBSERVER Staff Writer
Looking to get out of the house or for a spontaneous way to celebrate Black History Month?
On Saturday February 12 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., join the San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority (SJJPA) and Amtrak San Joaquin as they offer a single day special train service to Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park for a special Black History Month celebration.
The Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park became a historical landmark in 1974. The town was established in 1908 by Colonel Allen Allensworth and at one point was home to more than 300 families. It is a state treasure because it was the first town in California to be founded, financed, and governed by African Americans.
The State Park’s Black History Month celebration will provide visitors the opportunity to interact with docents dressed in period attire, participate in guided and/or self-guided tours of the state park’s historic buildings, and enjoy live entertainment, music, and food. The event is free to attend.
“We are proud to provide a special service to connect Californians to an important historic site that has monumental and cultural significance for Californian’s African American population,” David Lipari, marketing manager for the San Joaquin Regional Joint Powers Authority (SJJPA), said in a press release. “Many local Black History Month events have been canceled or postponed due to the most recent surge in COVID-19 cases. The special service offers Californians a unique opportunity to learn, explore, and honor a historic icon in African Americans history.”
Train and Event Info
The southbound trains that will be running for the event include trains 702 and 714. Northbound trains include trains 713, 117, and 719. When purchasing train tickets, riders can use promo code V302 to save 50% off on up to five companion tickets when purchasing one ticket at full price. Additional discount programs regularly available to riders includes:
- Infants under 2 years of age ride for free
- Children 2-12 years old ride half-price every day
- Seniors (62+ years of age) receive 15% off
- Veterans & active military members receive 15% off
- Disabled riders save 10% off
Train tickets to Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park can be booked online at amtraksanjoaquins.com.
Visitors interested in attending the Black History Celebration will be able to take Amtrak San Joaquins trains to the Allensworth station. Riders will be met by a free shuttle for the short ride to the state park. The Allensworth station is normally a whistle stop for Amtrak San Joaquins and is available to be booked by groups that desire to visit the park. For more information on how to book a group trip to Allensworth, please contact Carmen Setness, community outreach coordinator for San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority (SJJPA), at Carmen@sjjpa.com.