James Meisner served as county engineer for 47 years years ago
By ROWENA PLETT
Staff writer
One-half mile north of Marion on Cedar Street Road (now Timber Road) is a concrete bridge over Clear Creek. If commuters look closely, they will see a metal plaque on the bridge railing designating the structure as Meisner Bridge, in honor of its designer, James Meisner.
Except for a brief absence, Meisner served as Marion County engineer from 1931 until his death in 1969.
He was a graduate of the University of Kansas School of Engineering. While working for Marion County, he served as Civil Defense director and Red Cross director. He also served on the Marion school board, was a Cub Scout and Boy Scout leader, and was active in Marion Presbyterian Church.
He designed the system of roads in Marion County and claimed it was one of the best in the state.
From 1965-1966, Meisner served as president of the American Road Builders Association. During his career, he wrote several articles for professional publications.
The bridge spanning Clear Creek on Cedar Street was constructed in 1968. Meisner claimed it was the first pre-stressed concrete bridge to be built on a secondary road in Kansas.
At the time of Meisner's death, May 30, 1969, the Kansas Engineering Society was planning to name him "Engineer of the Year."
The bridge was dedicated as Meisner Bridge on April 15, 1971, at a meeting of the North Central Kansas Highway Officials Association in Marion.
As county engineer, Meisner played an active role in the development of Marion County Park and Lake in the 1930s. He designed the layout of Lakeshore Drive and secondary roads around the lake, as well as numerous recreational facilities.
During his one-year absence from Marion County in 1938-39, he wrote a letter to the first lake superintendent, Jerry Mullikin, presenting his vision of the use of the site. He saw it as more than a fishing lake, but as a vacation spot for county residents.
"It seems that the most of the vision of those who started this project is that it is primarily for fishing," he wrote. "I say that if it is handled properly, not one percent of those that enjoy the park will be fishermen. Besides only a small percentage of the county taxpayers are avowed fishermen. To justify the expense of taxes you must reach the majority of the people."
He suggested additions of a rock bath and concession house, a small club house on the golf course, a caretaker house, a band shell, playground equipment, an auditorium, and Girl and Boy Scout cabins.
He also expressed hope that the lake could be a place for competitions between groups of kids from throughout the county in model sailboat and powerboat racing.
Special events such as bathing beauty contests, swimming, diving, motorboat, sailboat, baseball, trap, or skeet shoot contests were suggested, along with summer carnivals and road shows.
Other ideas included a roller skating rink, outside bowling alley, and dancing platform out over the lake.
Meisner saw maintenance of the site as a way for high school graduates to earn money for college during the summer season.
Although not many of Meisner's ideas came to fruition or endured, they reflect the way he approached all the projects he was involved in, with enthusiasm and undying commitment.
His picture, taken at Marion County Park and Lake, was on the front cover of the November 1961 issue of Public Works magazine. He was cited for his many achievements including production of "a sound, stable road system that served the people in every part of the county."
