1893 Map of Hill

About this map

Nicodemus stands out as a focal point on this landscape, established as an all-black settlement during the late 19th-century Reconstruction era. The town is situated north of the South Fork Solomon River, in an area defined by the emerging transportation corridor of the Union Pacific Railway. This rail line connects the smaller stations of Bogue, Millbrook, and Reford, which served the surrounding agricultural townships. To the south, the terrain descends toward the Saline River and Big Creek, where the larger settlement of Wakeeney anchors the southern portion of the survey. The map reveals the intricate drainage patterns of Western Kansas through various named waterways like Wild Horse Creek and Coon Creek, illustrating how the early settlers navigated the prairie and chose town sites based on both water access and the strategic path of the railway.