1898: The people of Nicodemus are determined to create a strong community, despite the fact that their petition to have the new railroad come through their town has been denied. Railroads bring growth and progress, so the people of Nicodemus are disappointed that the railroad is bypassing them.

Today: Nicodemus is an important historical site but no longer a thriving town, due in part to the fact that the railroad bypassed it.

1898: Homesteaders in Kansas receive 160 acres each to cultivate, although the average farmer can only cultivate 40 acres at a time.

Today: The average farm size in Kansas is over five hundred acres. With modern equipment and technology, farmers are able to farm hundreds of acres, although issues such as soil erosion and depletion complicate production.

1898: The face of agriculture is the family farm. Farms are run by families who live on the land&mdash...