Nicodemus in Graham County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

St. Francis Hotel

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, September 6, 2017

1. St. Francis Hotel Marker

Inscription. Zach T. Fletcher's hotel was built in 1881 and is the two-story stuccoed portion to the right. It originally featured a cut limestone appearance with a one story stone kitchen addition on the east. It also served as the site of the first post office in Nicodemus. The oldest recorded African American operated post office in the U. S.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1881.

Location. 39° 23.584′ N, 99° 36.927′ W. Marker is in Nicodemus, Kansas, in Graham County. Marker is on Washington Avenue east of 3rd Street, on the right when traveling east. Marker is located beside the sidewalk, directly in front of the subject building. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Bogue KS 67625, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Mail From Back Home (here, next to this marker); Together We Gather (within shouting distance of this marker); Main Street Boom and Beyond (within shouting distance of this marker); Leaning On The Land (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Nicodemus (about 400 feet away); We've Come This Far By Faith (about 400 feet away); First Baptist Church (about 500 feet away); Nicodemus Baseball History (about 800 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Nicodemus.

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Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Nicodemus National Historic Site

Also see . . .
1. Nicodemus – A Black Pioneer Town. Zachary Fletcher, one of the town’s first settlers, became the first postmaster and the first entrepreneur in Nicodemus establishing the St. Francis Hotel and a livery stable in 1880. The complex that Fletcher built, which housed the post office, school, hotel and stable, later became known as the Fletcher-Switzer House and was an important focus of activity in the community. The building still stands in Nicodemus today. (Submitted on March 28, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. Nicodemus, Kansas Settlers. In July of 1877 a small group of men who helped to organize and officially established Nicodemus arrived on the town site from Topeka. Zach Fletcher the postmaster and his wife Jenny, the first woman to arrive on the townsite and a few other settlers were among this first group. In 1877, 1878, and 1879 other settlers arrived in three subsequent large groups. (Submitted on March 28, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

St. Francis Hotel (<i>northeast corner view showing various building additions</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, September 6, 2017

2. St. Francis Hotel (northeast corner view showing various building additions)

St. Francis Hotel Marker (<i>wide view; St. Francis Hotel in background on right</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, September 6, 2017

3. St. Francis Hotel Marker (wide view; St. Francis Hotel in background on right)

Credits. This page was last revised on March 28, 2019. It was originally submitted on March 28, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 221 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 28, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.