Nicodemus Historic District, Nicodemus, Graham County, KS

Significance: Nicodemus, Kansas, represents the earliest and most prosperous midwestern black settlement associated with the massive westward migration of former slaves out of the south during Reconstruction. Following a typical midwestern pattern of town development, the Nicodemus Town Company was formed on April 18, 1877, by seven Kansans (one white and six black). Attracted by the promotional literature of Benjamin "Pap" Singleton and led by white promoter W.R. Hill, five separate infusions of black colonists, predominantly from Kentucky and Tennessee, ultimately comprised the population of the town. By 1878, Nicodemus could boast nearly 700 residents. Nicodemus' prominence, however, was short-lived when the railroad by-passed the community in 1888. The majority of businesses relocated to nearby communities and the town slowly withered. A resilient and self-reliant nucleus of settlers remained. Today, 45 descendants of these original immigrants reside in the community, and numerous historic structures still exist.
Unprocessed Field note material exists for this structure: FN-6
Survey number: HABS KS-49
Building/structure dates: 1877 Initial Construction
National Register of Historic Places NRIS Number: 76000820