Meridian Civil Rights Trail facts for kids

The Meridian Civil Rights Trail was created in 2014. It was made by the Meridian/Lauderdale County Tourism Bureau. They worked with local people to highlight important events. The trail shows how people in Meridian worked for civil rights. Civil rights are the basic rights and freedoms that all people should have. This trail helps us remember their brave actions.

Discovering Meridian's Civil Rights History

The Meridian Civil Rights Trail has 18 special markers. Each marker tells a story about the fight for fairness and equality. These stories happened right here in Meridian, Mississippi. You can visit these spots to learn about the past.

Walking Through History: Downtown Stops

The first seven markers on the trail are close together. You can easily walk to them. They are all in the downtown area of Meridian.

• African-American Business District and The Movement (Markers 1 & 2): These markers are at the corner of 25th Avenue and 5th Street. They show where many Black-owned businesses were. This area was a center for community life and the civil rights movement.
• Sit-Ins, Pickets & Boycotts (Marker 3): Located at 2211 5th Street, this spot reminds us of peaceful protests. People would sit at lunch counters or picket stores. They would also boycott businesses that treated people unfairly. These actions helped bring about change.
• The Jewish Contribution (Marker 4): At 2200 5th Street, this marker highlights how Jewish people in Meridian also supported the civil rights movement. Many different groups worked together for equality.
• Federal Courthouse (Marker 5): This building at 2100 9th Street was important. It was a place where legal cases about civil rights were heard.
• Voter Registration (Marker 6): Found at 500 Constitution Avenue, this marker tells about efforts to help all citizens register to vote. Voting is a key right, and many people worked hard to make sure everyone could use it.
• Freedom Riders (Marker 7): At 212 Constitution Avenue, this stop remembers the Freedom Riders. These brave people rode buses into the South to challenge unfair laws. They wanted to make sure everyone could travel freely.

Exploring More: Driving to Other Key Sites

The remaining eleven markers are spread out. You will need a car to visit them all. Each one tells another important part of Meridian's civil rights story.

• McLemore Cemetery (Marker 8): This cemetery at 6th Street and 16th Avenue is a historic burial ground. It holds the stories of many people who lived through these times.
• Newell Chapel (Marker 9): Located at 1400 13th Avenue, Newell Chapel is a significant church. Churches were often meeting places for civil rights activists. They were safe spaces for planning and community support.
• St. Joseph Catholic Church (Marker 10) and St. John Baptist Church (Marker 11): These churches, at 1914 18th Avenue and 2000 18th Avenue respectively, also played vital roles. They offered strength and hope to people working for change.
• The Impact of Churches (Marker 12): This marker at 13th Street and 27th Avenue highlights how important churches were. They were not just places of worship. They were centers for organizing, education, and community support during the civil rights movement.
• Wechsler School (Marker 13): At 1415 30th Avenue, the Wechsler School was very special. It was the first public brick school built for Black students in Mississippi. It showed the importance of education for all children.
• Freedom School (Marker 14): This marker at 16th Street and Martin Luther King Memorial Drive/31st Avenue remembers Freedom Schools. These were temporary schools set up during the summer of 1964. They taught students about civil rights and how to make a difference.
• Council of Organizations (Marker 15): Located at 814 45th Avenue, this spot reminds us of how different groups worked together. They formed councils to make their efforts stronger.
• Old Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church (Marker 16) and First Union Missionary Baptist Church (Marker 17): These churches, at 829 47th Avenue and 610 38th Avenue, also served as important community hubs. They helped people come together and work for their rights.
• James Chaney gravesite (Marker 18): This final stop at 5052 Fish Lodge Road is a memorial to James Chaney. He was a young civil rights worker who lost his life fighting for equality. His gravesite is a reminder of the sacrifices made during this important time.

The Meridian Civil Rights Trail helps us understand the past. It shows how people worked together for a fairer world.