Welcome to Nicodemus, Kansas

Nicodemus is an incredibly historic, unincorporated community located in the northwest region of Kansas. The city originated as a refuge for newly freed slaves back in 1877. As the land in Graham County in the late 1870s still was mostly untamed, it provided the newly arrived families with hope and a chance for a brand new start in life. The city eventually became the first predominately black settlement west of the Mississippi River. The journey to Nicodemus wasn't easy though. The area was remote, windy, and prone to drought, making life difficult for the original settlers from Lexington, Kentucky. 

In modern times, Nicodemus is extremely small and is now an unincorporated community. Only a few descendants of the original settlers still live in town and the surrounding area. Even though they are small in number, they are living members of history and uphold the pride in the community.

The town itself serves as a monument to the westward expansion of African Americans in the post-civil war era. The Nicodemus National Historic Site is managed by the National Park Service and is the town's main attraction. Visiting Nicodemus is a truly unique experience that cannot be felt anywhere else.