Main Street Boom and Beyond

Main Street Boom and Beyond. Nicodemus National Historic Site. , "Nicodemus was growing into a busy little town. New houses were being built by people coming in. Different enterprises began to originate. Conditions began to improve.", Nettie Craig Teacher 1886 , Main Street Nicodemus grew out of hard work and determination into a viable business district through the hands of former slaves. Zach T Fletcher became one of the town's most successful merchants after opening the first black business in 1878. A bank, law offices, two newspapers, a hotel, post office, several stores, and cafes lined these streets. , Abuzz with the prospect of securing a stop on one of the railroad lines to the expanding West, more than 25 new structures came in 1886. By the fall of 1888, Nicodemus residents knew a railroad would never come. , When the railroad bypassed Nicodemus, most merchants moved. Travel was deflected from Nicodemus to nearby Bogue. Despite this setback a few black merchants persevered , Zach and Thomas Fletcher, Nicodemus' perennial capitalists, still operated the Saint Francis Hotel, the livery stable, and a farm implement business. Jenny Fletcher, Zach's wife, ran a millinery shop. Jake Riley operated another livery stable and G.M. Sayers ran a general store , demonstrating determination, resilience, and commitment to a land they loved. , (marker background image captions) , . Julia Lee's Café, 1920s , The café seated more than 30 patrons. The J.B. Crowley Grocery and General Merchandise operated here until the early 1900s. , . Blow In Café, 1949 , Fredonia and Ray De Priest owned the Café in the 1950s. A team of mules moved this building from Nicodemus township. , . St. Francis Hotel, 1881 , Owned by Zach T. Fletcher included a livery stable and coral. The Switzer family has live here since the 1930s. , . The First Baptist Church, 1907 , The first church established in Nicodemus. The original 1880 building is within the 1907. The congregation still meets in the adjacent building. , . S.G. Wilson General Store, 1880 , Built of locally cut stone, the store was purchased and operated by G.M. Sayers starting in 1896. , . S. W. Green General Store, 1880 , Became the Masonic Hall in 1893. , . Post Office , Closed in 1953. , . Priscilla Arts Club,1940s , Previously this structure was the Cracker Box School moved here from Nicodemus Township. , . Nicodemus Township Hall, 1939 , A depression era project, is the community's center for social activities.