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Toughluck Says: The present structure of the First Baptist Church was completed in 1907 and was built around an earlier and smaller church. The stucco exterior was added in the 1940's. After the exterior of hte present building was completed, the older structure was removed piece by piece...
School District #1 Schoolhouse
Toughluck Says: Nicodemus was the first community in Graham County, Kansas, to establish a school district and school. The existing school building was constructed in 1918 after a fire destroyed its predecessor.
Visitor Center in the old Township Hall
Toughluck Says: The Township Hall constructed in 1937—1939 as a Works Progress Administration project has served as the community center for events such as meetings, dances, and elections since its dedication 1939. Inside there are displays and a short video about the town.
Toughluck Says: The old hotel (1881) has changed a lot in appearance. Orginally limestone (visible in the back where the stucco has peeled off - see additional pictures), the building has been expanded and changed to become a family home. It is currently unoccupied and waiting restoration.
Toughluck Says: Built in 1885, this limestone structure is in good shape. It's not clear when the African Methodist Episcopal Church began to occupy this space. It sounds like it was the Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church until 1910, when the AME congregation moved in. Meanwhile, there is...
basstbn Says: Start your visit here. This limestone building was once the city hall and now houses the visitor's center administered by the National Park Service.Be certain to pick up a Walking Tour Map & Guide.
Nicodemus School District No. 1 Building
basstbn Says: This school house for the children of the Nicodemus area was built in 1918 following destruction of the previous school building by fire, and was used until 1955. The American Legion purchased the building in 1983.Its isolated location gives a feeling of the vastness of the...
basstbn Says: When the original First Baptist Church was dismantled to make way for a bigger building, members of the African Methodist Episcopal Church salvaged many of its limestone blocks to use in the construction of its own church. The historic church is undergoing stabilization. Due...
basstbn Says: Continuing west on Washington Street to Fourth Street, you will find this 1907 church which replaced the original Baptist Church built in 1877. Currently services are held in the brick building next door.
The St. Francis Hotel / Fletcher-Switzer Residence
basstbn Says: This 1878 building, built of native limestone, but later cover with stucco, is one of the original buildings of Nicodemus. It has also served as a stagecoach station and as the town's first post office. It is sadly in need of repair.
basstbn Says: Before walking around town, it is helpful to spend a few minutes in the visitor's center, getting a feel for the history of the settlement.
I am merely reporting the presence of an eating establishment in this town. It was not time for lunch or dinner as we passed through. We heard from others that this restaurant had recently moved back to Nicodemus from nearby Hill City, and that the barbecue is good. I cannot vouch for this.
Written Jun 22, 2003
Plane
Hays Airport is located one hour southeast of Nicodemus.
Denver International Airport is 5 hours and 46 minutes west of Nicodemus.
Kansas City International Airport is 5 hours and 23 minutes east of Nicodemus.
Car
From Hays, take Highway 183 north to Stockton. From Stockton, take Highway 24 west to Nicodemus. Nicodemus is located 19 miles west of Stockton.
From Denver, take I-70 east to WaKeeney. From WaKeeney, take Highway 283 north to Hill City. At the traffic light, turn right onto Highway 24. Nicodemus is 13 miles east of Hill City.
Written Aug 6, 2007
Phone: (785) 839-4233
Website: http://www.nps.gov/nico/planyourvisit/directions.htm
Favorite thing: "Wagon Wheels" is an outstanding book written for children by Barbara Brenner and illustrated by Don Bolognese, and available from Amazon (where I obtained the attached image). This outstanding Reading Rainbow selection is an entertaining and touching account of the (fictional) Muldie family, freed Kentucky slaves, finding their way to the Nicodemus area to make new lives for themselves. Left alone while their father goes ahead to find a home, the three boys show their common sense and bravery. If you are traveling with children, this book is a must.
Fondest memory: Our daughters enjoyed this book immensely when they were little. Personally, my favorite part of the book was when the scared little boys discovered that the Indians were kindly and wanted to help them.
Updated Jun 22, 2003
We arrived on a July afternoon. The sky was clear and the sun was hot. The main road, passes the town just to the north. The large stone sign 'Nicodemus' is along the highway, and just a block north...
As you approach Nicodemus, Kansas, it appears to be pretty much like any of the hundreds of decaying little towns dotting the prairies of America's heartland. What sets it apart is its history, its......
Build your own Nicodemus page
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