The following is from a Kansas Historical Marker at Nicodemus.
 
 

In July, 1877, Negro "exodusters" from Kentucky established a settlement here in the Promised Land of Kansas which they named Nicodemus. Although the colonists lacked sufficient tools, seed and money, they managed to survive the first winter, some by selling buffalo bones, others by working for the Kansas Pacific Railroad at Ellis, 35 miles away. In 1880 the all-Negro community had a population of more than 400.
 
 

Their industry brought approving notices in Kansas newspapers. One story concerned a farmer who with one cow "broke and improved twelve acres of prairie and cultivated eight acres of corn; his wife drives the cow and keeps the flies off". Another spaded a four foot hedge row around a 160 acres of land. Edward P. McCabe, who joined the colony in 1878, served two terms as state auditor, 1883-1887, the first Negro to hold a major state office.
 
 

By 1887, Nicodemus had churches, stores, lodges, a school and two newspapers, but it's future was blighted when a projected railroad failed to materialize. Nevertheless, those pioneers who built so much with so little hold a proud place in the Kansas story.
 
 

The only remaining business is the Nicodemus Historical Society Museum, which operates sporadic hours. Although modern Nicodemus contains only approximately 20 people, it remains the oldest all black community of the western frontier.

Nicodemus is extremely proud of it's connection with "The Buffalo Soldiers" and offers the following information regarding all-black participation in the military..

In 1997, Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. A Time Warner Company, produced a film made for television named "The Buffalo Soldiers", and Nicodemus's very own Barry Tompkins both acted in the movie and provided technical assistance in the area of horsemanship.