He gained public recognition working on many engineering and municipal tasks during the development of Tacoma, Everett and other cities of northwest.
Nicholson served as City Engineer in Everett, Tacoma, Steilacoom and Ruston.
He became a pioneer of Everett at the time of its foundation and was its first City Engineer, serving one term in 1893.
He helped build the Tacoma Stadium Bowl and the Ruston Tunnel, which later became the "last visible remnant" of the American Smelting and Refining Company.
Citizens of Tacoma paid Nicholson tribute by putting the sign he created, Tacoma's Star of Destiny, near the bronze statue of Allen C. Mason, promoter, who made the sign popular through advertisements in major U.S. newspapers.
[10] Nicholson learned engineering through private tutors and self-study in Vancouver, Washington, until 1882.
[16] As the construction of Panama Canal in 1914 led to boost of trade in the Pacific Northwest, Nicholson offered advice as to the development and improvement of the business waterways and tide flats of Tacoma.
His projects included land surveys, litigation, and legal descriptions, municipal work, and waterfront and waterways engineering.
By that time, Nicholson was a respectable engineer whose expert opinion was considered valuable in court proceedings.
[6] Between 1904 and 1917, Nicholson worked for the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) (the department that manages forest, range, agricultural, and commercial lands and aquatic areas in Washington State) in Public Land Survey Office.
Starting in 1919 and continuing until his death in 1947, he was listed among DNR surveyors working in different counties.
[7][8] Besides working on important engineer tasks in Tacoma, Nicholson participated in many municipal projects in other northwestern cities.
The sign appeared in series of the major U.S. newspaper advertisements placed by promoter Allen C. Mason.
Later, the star was installed near the bronze statue of Mason in Tacoma, honoring Nicholson as its designer.