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Our Neighborhood Treasure Allen Allensworth Recognized in Monrovia
Monrovia Weekly Mar 15, 2018
- Courtesy photo / Suise Ling
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– Courtesy photo / Susie Ling
By Susie Ling
On Saturday, 10 March 2018, it was like a blood moon in Monrovia; all the celestials lined up for a spectacular celebration of the continuum of life. The City unveiled its first “Neighborhood Treasure” plaque with a “block party” that attracted a mix of 150 people. The local hero that brought Monrovia together was Lt. Colonel Allen Allensworth, the first pastor of Monrovia’s Second Baptist Church (SBC) over 110 years ago. Pastor Allensworth was born a slave and rose to be the highest ranking African American military officer of his time. He was killed on Myrtle Avenue on 14 September 1914, having stepped out of the Santa Fe Train Station and on his way to preach at Second Baptist Church – then located on Royal Oaks Drive. (For a full story of Allensworth’s achievements, read Susan Motander’s article “The Value of Literacy Was the Legacy of Allen Allensworth” in the 3/14 issue of Monrovia Weekly.)
Councilmember Larry Spicer said, “Mr. Allensworth is the definition of ‘hidden treasure’ and ‘unsung hero.’ This recognition has been a longtime coming and he has been brought alive. Isn’t it great that our City chose an African American as the first hidden treasure we honor?”
Robert Anderson, who settled in Monrovia in 1978 after his USAF career, said “I’m thrilled how Monrovia is devoted to its diversity. It is so cool that they revere the [Second Baptist] Church as a point of history. We want to move forward, but we are enriched by our past.” Mr. Anderson knows that Second Baptist Church has a history of 116 years in Monrovia.
Ariel Tolefree-Williams, the Neighborhood Services Program Coordinator, exclaimed, “It’s really incredible. The City is so happy to work with the Church, with the community, and with all the families. This is my church too. Ron Husband’s art work encapsulates Allensworth’s life. It is an art piece even better than we could’ve imagined.”
City Manager Oliver Chi explained, “The Selection Committee reviewed potential artists for this project. But the name Ron Husband jumped forward. He is from Monrovia, a longtime member of the Second Baptist Church, and a pioneering African American animator. Husband’s rendition is awesome; it captures Allensworth life and his fundamental ideals. These are the ideals that should remind us to come together.”
John Parker said, “I was born in Monrovia after World War II, and I’m still here. We are die-hard Monrovians. I came today to support Ron Husband, my childhood friend. It seems so right. Ron was born and raised in Monrovia and grew up on Maple.”
Ron Husband, the artist of the first Neighborhood Treasure plaque, said, “This means a lot. I received an opportunity to give back. Allensworth was a man who touched the lives of so many. I’m able to leave something tangible that will be here long after I’m gone.” Ron heard about the project in November of 2017 and met the deadline two weeks later. “However, I’ve been familiar with Allensworth’s legacy since the 1990s,” he said. “Ron is the guy who’s always doodling on his sketchpad,” Leah Green said in passing. “[Ron’s] pen is his voice.”
From left to right, Ron Husband, Ralph Walker and Charles Allensworth. – Photo by Susie Ling
Leah Green, the daughter of Josephine Triplett and granddaughter of Gemela Hall Herring of Allensworth, came to Monrovia with her family from Bakersfield. She said, “My grandmother and whole family are invested in keeping the story of Allensworth alive.” Leah’s a docent in Allensworth, the Central California utopian town founded by Allen Allensworth. Another who came from Fresno was George Finley. George Finley was trained at Tuskeegee in 1946 and came to California after he retired from the Army in 1952. As an African American, he could not find a teaching position until he came to the town of Allensworth. He is one of the founders of Friends of Allensworth. He said, “If we don’t do it, who is going to remember this history for us?” There was quite a group from Friends of Allensworth at the Monrovia celebration.
Charles Allensworth came to Monrovia this day from Oakland. He is the great grandnephew of Allen Allensworth, and also a veteran and a teacher. In a uniform reminiscent of his relative’s, he said, “Thank you, Monrovia, for recognizing history. These are tumultuous times now, and it is good to remember the visions of Allen Allensworth, who also lived through tumultuous times. His is a powerful story.” Charles was a bit emotional as he said he did not even know his great granduncle was the pastor in Monrovia.
The history of Allen Allensworth in Monrovia has been lovingly pieced together – over the decades – by stalwart historians Steven Baker and Lois Gaston. Much is still not known as few records exist. The 14th pastor of SBC, Dr. LaRue Dillard, said, “Nevertheless, history lives here at Second Baptist Church.” Dillard is on his 44th year as shepherd of this historical institution started by about 13 Monrovians in 1902. In its early days, Second Baptist used the baptismal pool at First Baptist Church on Encinitas Avenue. The first church in Monrovia, First Baptist was offered $500 (and three town lots) to move to Monrovia from Duarte near 1886. First Baptist passed on $500 to Second Baptist to start their church.
Ralph Walker has been repeating for many, many years, “Why don’t we do something in Monrovia to recognize our American hero, Allen Allensworth?” Ralph organized a program honoring Allensworth at the Monrovia Historical Museum in 2012. He was the Masters of Ceremony on Saturday. He said, “You are clapping for history. You are part of this continuum of history.” Neighbor Gwendolyn Jones added “The honor may be delayed, but today, it was not denied.” The other representative from San Gabriel Valley’s NAACP, Samella Sibley, added “Two rivers meet head-on to form one, but bridges always cross.” MUSD School Board President and SBC Clerk, Terence Williams, sums it up, “I’m very proud. We are all proud. It is absolutely historical and wonderful.”
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