Settlement of Nicodemus, Kansas, 19th Century

View of Nicodemus, Kansas shows the original First Baptist Church and the Williams General Merchandise store. The settlement of Nicodemus, Kansas was part of a greater movement of westward migration that occurred in the latter half of the 19th century. Kansas had an appeal to African-Americans living in the post-Civil War South. In the minds of many of these recently freed people, Kansas represented a land of freedom and opportunity due to the actions of John Brown and other abolitionists. Promoters such as Benjamin Singleton encouraged African-Americans to move to Kansas. Nicodemus would become a destination for these new migrants. Railroads and steamboats offered cheap passage for these early settlers. Eager to escape the persecution and poor living conditions of Reconstruction, thousands left the South and headed west seeking economic opportunity and a sense of freedom. There were two significant groups that settled Nicodemus beginning in September of 1877. A real estate agent, W.R. Hill, and Reverend W.H. Smith led the first group of about 350 African-Americans from Lexington, Kentucky to Graham County, Kansas (where Nicodemus is located). Another group of 250 arrived in the spring of 1878. No photographer credited, 1885

Restrictions Only for Ireland and United Kingdom

Baptist Encampment Kansas Merchandise Nationalism Negro Negroes Nicodemus Post-civil

Features In These Collections

> Contributors > PHR