U.S. History Collection
Nicodemus and Black Settlements in the West

The Challenges of Building a New Town

The first settlers, who arrived in 1877, faced an uphill battle because Nicodemus was located far from existing stagecoach and rail routes. In fact, some of the first settlers turned back when they saw the work before them. Those who stayed lived in dugouts and later built sod houses. Nevertheless, the founders of Nicodemus envisioned a town built on the ideals of independence and self-determination. Eventually, the town did experience some successes. As Nicodemus grew more prosperous, residents eventually built framed houses. By 1880, the town had grown to 700 residents. The community experienced rapid social and economic growth in the early years, and many speculated that Nicodemus would become a major stop for the railroad. A town’s close proximity to the railroad helped stimulate its growth. Railways lowered the cost of transporting western food crops and raw materials to and from cities and towns and made travel quicker and easier.

A photo of Nicodemus's town square in 1885. Click to enlarge

A black and white photo shows three wooden buildings, one with a large sign that reads, "F. Williams General Merchandise." Many people and some horse-drawn carriages fill up the street. The blurry image makes it difficult to see the people, but most appear to be Black adults and children. The background beyond the buildings is flat land. A treeless prairie extends to the horizon.

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