exodusters

Exodusters

• Exodusters were the groups of African-Americans who moved West.
• Homestead Act made this westward expansion possible.
• Wanted to find new opportunities, land, and establish new communties.
• This migration was called the "Great Exodus".
• Kansas was the main state they migrated to.

indian encounter

• Evidence of Indian encounters weren't clear.
• Exodusters moved into Indian Territory/land. 
• The Indians probably had to relocate.
• Probably some conflict over land ownership.

the towns

• Exodusters mostly settled in KS, OK, and CO.
• Nicodemus:the only town still present today.
• Others: Langston, OK, Boley, OK, & Dewitty, NE.
• There were a few whites living in these settlements.
• Most whites still held higher town positions than exodusters.

daily lives

• Towns started as colonies.
• Agricultural society/farmer life.
• People were expected to find & use natural resources.
• Some lived in dugouts and timber/wood houses.
• Eventually upgraded to stone buildings

nicodemus

• Had population of 75 in 1867, white majority.
• 9/11/1877:First 350 African-Americans came.
• Ads for Nicodemus mostly contained false info.
• Economic success because of farming & trade.
• Most organizations/businesse were run by whites.

nicodemus now

• Lost economic success in 1887 & 1888, depended on railroad.
• Missouri Pacific Railroad & Union Pacific weren't interested.
• Depression destroyed them, now small farming communities.
• Still exists today in Graham County, KS.
• Now a National Historic Site.