2018 Map of Nicodemus

About this map

Nicodemus National Historic Site centers this 2018 survey, documenting the location of the first all-Black settlement west of the Mississippi River. The town of Nicodemus is situated along the southern portion of the map, adjacent to the S Fork Solomon River. The landscape is defined by the transition between the river lowlands and the higher upland plains of Graham and Rooks Counties. The agricultural grid is well-established, with roads like 400 Th Ave and M Rd partitioning the terrain. Local history and genealogy are anchored by two burial grounds: the Nicodemus Cem located just west of the town site and the more remote Slate Cem situated near the headwaters of Slate Cr in the northeast. The presence of Sand Cr and Spring Cr illustrates the drainage patterns feeding into the Solomon River system, which historically provided the essential water resources for this pioneer community.