Allensworth Things to Do

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The plaque reads:
Mrs. Josephine Allensworth purchased the town's first school building and had it moved to this location in 1913 to serve as a branch of the Tulare Country Library system. Abraham Stockett, a local carpenter, was employed to enlarge and modify the structure after the move. Mrs. Allensworth stated that her gift of the library to the town was to honor her mother Mary Dickerson; to serve the community; and to provide employment for "a worthy young woman." The library immediately became a popular source of reading 1930's, the library books and magazines were moved to Hindsman's Store, where the branch continued to function until 1943.

Star Route 1
Box 148
Earlimart, California 93219

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The plaque reads:
William Scott and Mrs. Mary Gross established a drug store at this location in 1911. Mrs. Gross set up her living quarters in the back of the building, but later moved to a small house east of the store. As a trained nurse, she provided medical care for many of the town's early residents. Mrs. Gross's business partner, William Scott, owned the lot and building and assisted in running the store. The Scott-Gross Drug Company offered a variety of items unavailable in Allensworth's general stores, including patent medicines, toothpaste, newspaper and magazines, and stationery. Among the "women's things" Mrs. Gross sold were perfume, cosmetics, jewelry, and some clothing. After Mrs. Gross's death in 1918, Mr. Scoot briefly ran the store, but closed it the following year.

Star Route 1
Box 148
Earlimart, California 93219

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The plaque reads:
Frank Milner arrived in Allensworth from the Bay Area in 1911 and set up his first barbershop in a small frame house just west of this location. In 1914, with volunteers from the community, he constructed a concrete block structure similar to the reconstructed building on the site. Milner's Barbershop played an important part in early town life. The pioneer women of the community stated that the men would meet here to discuss "all manner of agreements and disagreements." The community band, organized by Joshua Singleton, also practiced in the shop. By 1922, Frank Milner had closed his business and moved to Tulare, California, where he opened another barbershop. His new business continue for another 25 years. Many of his Allensworth neighbors came to Tulare as customers.

Star Route 1
Box 148
Earlimart, California 93219

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The plaque reads:
In the spring of 1910, Frank and Laura Smith arrived in Allensworth where they built their home and planted "the best truck garden in the district." When Frank died the following year, Mrs. Smith was left with their property and a military pension of $12 a month. A resourceful and energetic woman, she continued to cultivate her vegetable garden, raised chickens for sale, and opened her home to boarders. her cow also provided milk for the household and cream for sale to the local dairies. Mrs. Smith was a prominent member of the community, belonging to the Women's Improvement Club and the Cemetery Association, and serving as president of the Allensworth Mutual Water Association.

Star Route 1
Box 148
Earlimart, California 93219

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The plaque reads:
Elizabeth Dougherty, a wealthy Oakland business woman, purchased the property and financed the construction of the hotel in 1910. The hotel was her investment in Allensworth, but she did not live here. Miss Dougherty hired John and Clara Morris as the hotel's first managers. Early residents of Allensworth recall Mrs. Morris good cooking and the mechanical skills of John Morris, who repaired farm machinery on the hotel lot. The hotel served travelers, workers in the nearby grain warehouse, and families arriving to settle in the town. The happiest memories of the hotel are young people's social evenings in the dining room, with dancing to the music of a player piano.

Star Route 1
Box 148
Earlimart, California 93219

The plaque reads:
Mary Jane Bickers arrived in Allensworth in 1909 and opened the town's first business, a general store, on this lot. She operated the small store in a building she leased from Pacific Farming Company. On September 25, 1909, the first post office was established in Allensworth, and Mrs. Bickers was appointed postmaster. She operated the post office in her store. By 1910, she turned over the responsiblity of postmaster to Joshua Singleton, who had built his store across the street. Mrs. Bickers who had moved to Allensworth from Bakersfield, California, returned there in 1911.

Star Route 1
Box 148
Earlimart, California 93219

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The plaque reads:
Joshua and Henrietta Singleton and their family arrived in Allensworth in 1910. By September, they had constructed a store, with living quarters in the back of the building. The Singletons operated the general store, selling canned goods, bulk staples such as rice and beans, men's work clothing, and more luxurious items including coffee, cookies, and candy. Mr. Singleton served as postmaster, taught music, organized a town band, and was president of Allensworth's Progressive Society. Mrs. Singleton contributed to the community as a midwife and practical nurse. Except for one year, when they leased the store, Mr. Singleton ran the business until his death in 1928. Mrs. Singleton continued to operated the store for a few years afterwards; she closed it in 1930.

Star Route 1
Box 148
Earlimart, California 93219

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The plaque reads:
Zebedee and Sarah Hindsman directed the construction of this house and the Hindsman General Store in 1911. Both husband and wife worked in the store, and early residents of the town recalled a well worn path connecting the store and the house. The Hindsman were active in the community, and Mr. Hindsmans became a member of the committee formed to guide the town of Allensworth after the death of Colonel Allensworth in September of 1914. He also served the town as a Justice of the Peace, an insurance agent, a realtor, and a notary public.

Star Route 1
Box 148
Earlimart, California 93219