Nicodemus National Historic Site
The oldest remaining Black settlement west of the Mississippi, founded by formerly enslaved families during Reconstruction.
Artwork inspired by Aaron Douglas
African American settlers from Kentucky founded Nicodemus in 1877 seeking land, autonomy, and safety after Reconstruction. The town’s churches, school, township hall, businesses, and descendant community tell a western history often omitted from homesteading narratives.
Begin at Township Hall, but remember that most landmark buildings stand within a living community and some are privately owned. Homecoming traditions and descendant voices matter as much as the preserved structures.
- Setting
- Nicodemus, Kansas
- Admission
- Free general admission
- Allow
- 1½–3 hours
Quick guide
- Route question
- Township Hall ↔ Reconstruction migration
- Final evidence
- Reconstruction migration
Nicodemus National Historic Site: township Hall and living community
- Township Hall
- Begin with federal interpretation, maps, and descendant voices before viewing the other landmark buildings.
- Living community
- Distinguish public landmarks from private homes and active community spaces.
- Migration
- Trace why Black families left Kentucky after Reconstruction and what land ownership promised—and failed to guarantee.
- After the railroad
- Ask how Nicodemus endured after the anticipated rail line bypassed it and weakened the town economy.
Good to know
Nicodemus survived even after the anticipated railroad bypassed the town and weakened its early economy.
Notice these
- Township Hall
- A.M.E. Church
- Reconstruction migration
- Living descendant community