Established by African Americans during the Reconstruction Period following the Civil War, the town of Nicodemus symbolizes the pioneer spirit of people formerly enslaved. Established on homestead land, the town of Nicodemus was officially founded on September 17, 1877. It is the only remaining town of the "Exoduster" movement, which was organized mainly through the efforts of Benjamin "Pap" Singleton, who was responsible for founding 11 colonies in Kansas between 1873 and 1880.