Township Hall - Nicodemus KS

City:: Nicodemus, KS
Site Type:: Civic Facilities, City and Town Halls
New Deal Agencies:: Works Progress Administration (WPA), Work Relief Programs
Started:: 1937
Completed:: 1939
Quality of Information:: Very Good
Marked:: Unknown
Site Survival:: Extant

Description

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) built the Nicodemus, Kanas, Township Hall from 1937 to 1939. This handsome limestone community center was built to support the local population of Nicodemus, which was settled by African-American Exodusters after the Civil War. At the time of construction the building was one place that the African-American community could gather without interference. It is now part of the Nicodemus National Historic Site.

The National Park Service says this about the site:

“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.”