Submitted
It is often said that Kansas railroads would either make or break a town. One might wonder, what were the factors that contributed to both?
In western Kansas during the mid 1880’s, several railroad companies were seeking to provide rail service to the newly populated area along and north of the south fork of the Solomon River. One such company was the Missouri Pacific.
They had plans lay track from Salina all the way to Colorado, via the Plainville Branch. This branch was to continue west of Plainville and end at Colby, connecting via a short line to Oakley, then on west to Colorado. It was along this Plainville Branch, that Nicodemus would have been targeted to receive the railroad and a depot.
This year’s theme for the third-annual “Nicodemus Spring Chautauqua” is all about the railroads and why they by-passed Nicodemus. The event will be from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday May 25 in Nicodemus. You’ll be entertained during the day with characters from this historically pivotal past. You’ll hear from characters like the railroad surveyor and engineer, business owners, politicians, attorney, newspaper editor, frustrated homesteaders and cowboys, to J.P. Pomeroy – Kansas railroad tycoon, philanthropist, and Hill City founder.
The annual Chautauqua was conceived with the idea to bring life to the history of Nicodemus, through various historical periods, events, and people. Last year’s Chautauqua featured various characters and their individual stories. This year’s theme is all about the railroads and to shed light on why they by-passed Nicodemus, so the characters that are presented will be sharing their part in this dynamic story.
We often wonder what Nicodemus would have been like if the Union Pacific had laid track through the town. Would it have thrived and even surpassed the county seat of Hill City? We wonder why the decision was to lay tracks four miles south of the Solomon River? What was the role of Kansas railroad tycoon and philanthropist, J.P. Pomeroy and how was his influence used?
Why were businesses lured away, and the banker did not support the decision to secure the railroad at Nicodemus? What was the role of the newspapers and why was W.R. Hill the owner of both Nicodemus and Hill City papers? These are only a few questions that beg answers as we look at the dynamic of the railroads and their interest in laying track through Nicodemus. We hope to address these and other interesting issues during the May 25 Chautauqua.
Other related railroad stories and history will be shared, such as the killing at the Bogue Depot and the Nicodemus men who worked on the railroad as mail sorters, chefs and porters.
An exhibit of oil paintings of railroad depots along the ‘Plainville Branch’ through Rooks and Graham counties by artist Mike Boss will be on display before and during the event. Free food and refreshments in the theme of the railroads will be provided by Walmart of Hays.
Period music will entertain you by the Hays High Plains Barbershop Chorus, and throughout the performances the New Nicodemus Old Timers will tickle your ears and maybe even motivate you to get up and dance during intermissions.
For more information, call 785-839-4233 or 785-839-8200.
Sponsored by the Nicodemus Historical Society, Nicodemus National Historic Site and Walmart of Hays.
