Taylor in Cedar Rapids in Linn County, Iowa — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Virgil Powell
⎯⎯⎯
King Building Police Station
History Happened Here!
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 27, 2021
1. Virgil Powell / King Building Police Station Marker
From 1923 to 1937, the Cedar Rapids Police Department and City Jail occupied the King Building, which stood here from 1910-1969. The department and jail moved to 310 Second Avenue SW in 1937. The city's first African American police officer, Virgil Powell, worked for the department from 1924-1946. The son of former slaves, Powell arrived in Cedar Rapids in 1918 and ran his own car wash before becoming a police officer. By 1936, Powell was promoted to the Identification Bureau, where he implemented new fingerprinting methods. After retiring, he traveled extensively, wrote books and music, and was active in community organizations. Powell died in 1989; he was 99.
Erected by Cedar Rapids Historic Preservation Commission; The History Center; Coe College; and the African American Museum of Iowa.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Charity & Public Work • Law Enforcement. A significant historical year for this entry is 1923.
Location. 41° 58.5′ N, 91° 40.317′ W. Marker is in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, in Linn County. It is in Taylor. It is on 1st Street Southwest just north of 3rd Avenue Southwest, on the right when traveling north. Marker is located along the sidewalk, directly across 1st Street Southwest
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Eastern Iowa. It is also in the American Midwest and in the Corn Belt. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture and also the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Historical Tablet (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Vietnam Conflict (about 600 feet away); War Memorial (about 600 feet away); a different marker also named Historical Tablet (about 600 feet away); a different marker also named Historical Tablet (about 700 feet away); Sustainable Surfacing (approx. Ό mile away); Paramount Theater Building (approx. Ό mile away); Roosevelt Hotel (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cedar Rapids.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. History Happened Here!
Also see . . . Virgil Samuel Powell (Find A Grave).
Murdoch-Linwood Cemetery, Cedar Rapids, Linn County, Iowa.(Submitted on February 19, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
African American Museum of Iowa Collection, gift of Phoebe Smith
2. Marker detail: Cedar Rapids Police Department, 1928
Including Virgil Powell (fourth from left), in front of the King Building, 213 First Street SW.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 27, 2021
3. Virgil Powell / King Building Police Station Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on May 4, 2026. It was originally submitted on February 18, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 336 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 19, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
