More than 3,500 people visited the Nicodemus National Historic Site in Graham County last year.  That’s up considerably from the 2,681 visitors in 2011 reported by the National Park Service (NPS).

A new NPS report for 2011 shows visitors to Nicodemus NHS spent $133,000 in area communities.  The spending supported two local jobs.

“Nicodemus NHS is a wonderful place to learn about America’s story,” says park superintendent Angela Wetz.  “We attract visitors from across the U.S. and around the world who come here to experience the park and getting to know this amazing part of the country.”

Nicodemus is the only remaining black settlement west of the Mississippi River.

The historic site is part of  a National Park Service analysis showing visitor spending in 2011 had a $30 billion impact on the entire U.S. economy and supported 252,000 jobs nationwide.