Riverview in Kansas City in Wyandotte County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Judge Cordell D. Meeks, Sr. Plaza
Over 30 Years of Public Service
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., September 2, 2013
1. Judge Cordell D. Meeks, Sr. Plaza Marker
'In November, 1972, the citizens of Wyandotte County, Kansas, were good enough to elect me as the first black judge of the District Court in the history of the state, but today there are black judges of that rank and higher all over the nation, including the State of Kansas.
So, I am not writing this ... because I consider myself unique for I am not. There are many life stories similar to and much more interesting than mine, but none are the same. My story should be told for it reflects the peculiar flavor of the period during which the events unfolded in my life. It should be told so that our youthful leaders of tomorrow can compare it with their struggles of today, as they attempt to solve the problems and avoid the pitfalls faced by those who must plow their way through new fields of endeavor.
My story and others should be told so that everyone can better understand and truly appreciate what it took in the past for poor black people to overcome the many obstacles which stood in their paths to success in breaking old barriers and opening new doors of opportunity.' - Excerpt from Judge Cordell D. Meeks Sr.'s autobiography, 'To Heaven Through Hell'
Per proclamation issued by the Unified Government of Wyandotte County, Kansas City, Kansas on August 19, 2004.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in
this page online
Location. 39° 6.789′ N, 94° 37.621′ W. Marker is in Kansas City, Kansas, in Wyandotte County. It is in Riverview. Marker is on 7th Street, on the left when traveling north. Marker is on the east grounds of the Wyandotte County Courthouse. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 701 North 7th Street, Kansas City KS 66101, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Soldiers and Sailors Memorial (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The History of the Wyandot Indian Nation (about 400 feet away); Silas Armstrong (about 700 feet away); Eliza Burton Conley (approx. 0.2 miles away); Helena Conley (approx. 0.2 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away); St. Mary's Church (approx. 0.3 miles away); First Baptist Church and First African Methodist Episcopal Church (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Kansas City.
Also see . . .
1. Cordell D. Meeks, Sr. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on October 16, 2013, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. Cordell D. Meeks Sr., Kansas Judge, 73. New York Times obituary
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., September 2, 2013
2. Judge Cordell D. Meeks, Sr. Plaza Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on February 10, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 16, 2013, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 468 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 16, 2013, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
