Nicodemus National Historic Site
National Historic Site · Nicodemus, Kansas
The only surviving town west of the Mississippi founded and still occupied by African Americans who came out of the South during Reconstruction. Around three hundred settlers arrived from Kentucky in 1877 on the promise of land and found open prairie and no timber; many spent the first winter in dugouts. Five historic buildings remain — the township hall, two churches, the schoolhouse and the hotel — and descendants of the original families still return every July for the Homecoming.
304 Washington Avenue, Nicodemus, Kansas, 67625, United States
FREE. The Township Hall visitor centre keeps LIMITED HOURS and is closed several days a week — check nps.gov/nico before travelling, as this is a long detour in western Kansas. The other historic buildings are generally viewed from outside. The Homecoming Emancipation Celebration is held on the last weekend of July.
Nicodemus National Historic Site on Spottos · Explore more places on Spottos