Township Hall

Nicodemus Township Hall

NPS Photo / Valerie Blubaugh

Quick Facts

Location:

Nicodemus, Kansas

Significance:

Current Visitor Center

Designation:

National Historic Site

Amenities

18 listed

Assistive Listening Systems, Automated Entrance, Automated External Defibrillator (AED), Benches/Seating, Electrical Outlet/Cell Phone Charging, Fire Extinguisher, First Aid Kit Available, Gifts/Souvenirs/Books, Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Information - Maps Available, Information - Ranger/Staff Member Present, Junior Ranger Booklet Available, Parking - Auto, Parking - Bus/RV, Restroom, Trash/Litter Receptacles, Wheelchair Accessible, Wheelchairs Available

Township Hall is a magnificent limestone building that was completed in 1939. Construction on the building started in 1937 as a WPA (Works Progress Administration) project, employing 12 Nicodemus residents and using local limestone quarried and hand-sawn from nearby Webster Reservoir. After it was built the Township Hall acted as the seat of government for the town of Nicodemus. In this building the people of Nicodemus held their town council meetings, elections, and other town events.
Having been denied self governance under slavery and later in the post-Reconstruction era, this building symbolizes the freedom of the people of Nicodemus to choose their own representatives and make their voices heard.
Today the Township Hall is visitor center for Nicodemus National Historic Site.