Here's a little news about what may be Kansas City's most sacred ground.
A lot has happened since 2002, the last time we wrote at length about the Quindaro Ruins. A town that once stood on a hill at the Kansas City, Kansas, edge of the Missouri River, it was a stop on the Underground Railroad. Forgotten by time, then threatened with becoming a landfill, the land on which runaway slaves first set foot on freedom is slowly turning into a place where people can go and wander paths to see the remaining foundations of a handful of buildings -- or, maybe more moving, stand at the top of the hill and look across the river. On the other side -- Missouri -- was slavery; on this side was freedom.
Robinson dreams big, but he's undaunted by the fact that some of his ideas have seemed crazy. Back when Quindaro was just an overgrown forest that looked like a good place for a dump, few people thought it could be revived as much as it has been. Although the area's official restoration has been accomplished through National Park Service Grants to the Unified Government of Wyandotte County, the AME Church (which owns the land) and Kansas City, Kansas, Community College, Robinson has long worked to keep many disparate groups' eyes on the prize.
Last Friday, he led a tour for a small group that included a class of kids from KCK Youthbuild, who didn't know much about the site. State Sen. David Haley was there, as was KCK Community College Trustee Karen Hernandez. City Councilman Nathan Barnes spoke some encouraging words.
Robinson imagines it might take four years for the United Nations to decide if Quindaro deserves to join the list of other World Heritage Sites. Regardless of whether that happens, Robinson's effort will undoubtedly move things forward. After all, the ruins aren't yet accessible to the public -- for a tour, you have to call the Unified Government at 913-573-5100
-- but anyone can go hang out at the overlook at 27th and Sewell. Contrary to what you might think, it's not a scary neighborhood. Poor, run-down, but not scary.
On a warm, sunny day like last Friday, it was easy to feel the steady spirit of freedom in the breeze.
Showing 1-4 of 4
marvin, two young men and myself helped to clean up the Quindaro site 3 years ago. we also cut trees with chain saws and hand saws to establish a handicap trail down the hill. lotts of pictures were taken but have apparently been lost or forgotten.
like
dislike
