Allensworth: The Town That Refuses to Die

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 500 residents, now mostly Latino, faced a new threat in 2023 when rain and melting snowpack threatened to flood the town. Many residents defied a mandatory evacuation, working together with shovels and farm equipment to save their homes. The crisis united the community and drew overdue attention from politicians. Long-stalled projects advanced, including the approval of a new well. Through vivid vignettes and oral histories, this film follows several residents as they confront escalating environmental crises and build towards a thriving future, revealing a continuing legacy of resilience and resistance that has persisted for over a century.