Projects

2006/07 Archeological Dig

The National Park Service, Kansas State Historical Society, Nicodemus Historical Society, Washburn University, and Howard University collaborated efforts and conducted two archeological digs at the dugout of Tom Johnson. The site is located on Spring Creek at the Henry Williams property, about 3.5 miles north and a little west of Nicodemus. Additional sites were excavated near the Nicodemus School on the town site.

Over 100 students, professionals, and interested history buffs participated in the digs. Many of the Nicodemus residents and interested descendents viewed the sites during the excavation. The Nicodemus Historical Society assisted by providing family and land information and identified and located potential sites for the dig. Great, great, great, great grandaughter of Tom Johnson, Amanda Conway (pictured at right) participated in the archeological dig.

Various items were collected during the digs including bones and fruit pits that were consumed, coins, porcelain doll parts, pots, pitcher, sewing machine stand, shards of glass and bottles. These items help to tell what life was like during the time the dugouts were occupied. We hope to continue to collaborate with these and other entities to continue archeological digs.