Nicodemus National Historic Site

Nicodemus National Historic Site
Map showing the location of Nicodemus National Historic Site
Map showing the location of Nicodemus National Historic Site
Map showing the location of Nicodemus National Historic Site
Map showing the location of Nicodemus National Historic Site
LocationNicodemus, Kansas, United States
Nearest cityNicodemus, Kansas
Coordinates39°23′27″N 99°37′03″W / 39.39083°N 99.61750°W / 39.39083; -99.61750
Area161 acres (65 ha)
EstablishedNovember 12, 1996
Visitors28,065 (in 2005)
Governing bodyNational Park Service
WebsiteNicodemus National Historic Site
Township Hall in Nicodemus

Nicodemus National Historic Site, located in Nicodemus, Kansas, United States, preserves, protects and interprets the only remaining western town established by African Americans during the Reconstruction Period following the American Civil War. The town of Nicodemus is symbolic of the pioneer spirit of African Americans who dared to leave the only region they had been familiar with to seek personal freedom and the opportunity to develop their talents and capabilities. The site was named, at least in part, for a legendary African-American slave featured in abolitionist Henry Clay Work's "Wake, Nicodemus (1864)." It is a mystical story of an old slave died away and buried in a hollow tree who had asked to be awakened on the Day of Jubilee.[1]

  1. ^ Rosamond, Rodman (2008). "Naming A Place Nicodemus". Great Plains Quarterly. Retrieved March 31, 2016.