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Journey back in time to Hannibal, Missouri, USA

Explore Hannibal, Missouri, USA! Uncover its rich history and discover the stories of the people who once called it home. Dive into old newspaper articles, vintage pictures, postcards, and genealogy to learn more about this fascinating town.

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Hannibal, Missouri, USA - Hannibal, Missouri, USA - Shoe Factory, Hannibal, Mo. Mississippi River and Illinois in Distance.

Settled (1819) by Moses Bates on land given (1818) to Abraham Bird as compensation for property damaged in the New Madrid earthquake (1811), it received its Carthaginian name from Hannibal Creek (later Bear Creek).

Hannibal is noted as the boyhood home of Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain).

britannica.com

Explore even more about Hannibal, Missouri, USA. Keep reading!

Hannibal Nostalgia: Vintage Photos, Ads, and Postcards

Hannibal, Missouri, USA - Shoe Factory, Hannibal, Mo.
Mississippi River and Illinois in Distance.
Hannibal, Missouri, USA

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Shoe Factory, Hannibal, Mo.
Mississippi River and Illinois in Distance.
Hannibal, Missouri, USA - Indian Mound Park, Hannibal, Mo.
Hannibal, Missouri, USA

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Indian Mound Park, Hannibal, Mo.
Hannibal, Missouri, USA - Cruikshank Residence
Hannibal, Missouri, USA

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Cruikshank Residence

Discover Hannibal: History, News, Travel, and Stories

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1854 - Hannibal
Hannibal, a flourishing town of Marion county, Missouri, on the Mississippi river, 153 miles above St. Louis, and 15 miles below Quincy, in Illinois. It is advantageously situated for commerce, and is rapidly increasing in population and business. Large quantities of hemp, tobacco, pork, &c. which are raised in the vicinity, are shipped at this point. The adjacent country is very productive, and rather populous. Coal and carboniferous limestone, an excellent material for building, are abundant here. A railroad has been commenced, which will extend from Hannibal to St. Joseph, on the Missouri, above 200 miles in length. The town has 2 newspaper offices. The pop. in 1840 was about 600; in 1850 it amounted to 2557 : in 1853, to 3500.
A New and Complete Gazetteer of the United States: Giving a Full and Comprehensive Review of the Present Condition, Industry, and Resources of the American Confederacy ... Thomas Baldwin (of Philadelphia.) Joseph Thomas January 1, 1854 Philadelphia : Lippincott, Grambo & Company 1854.
1890 - FATAL WRECK NEAR HANNIBAL.
Hannibal, Mo., June 10. - An error of Train Dispatcher DAVIDSON, of the St. Louis, Keokuk & Northwestern railroad, resulted in bringing a construction train in collision with a freight on a curve twelve miles south of this city yesterday morning about four o'clock. Twelve cars were wrecked.

Fireman ARTHUR THAYER was almost instantly killed. He was found dead between the boiler head of his engine and the tender, having been burned and scalded by escaping steam.

Fireman BERRY NELSON was found wedged between the boiler and cab of his engine with boiling water pouring over him from a hole in the boiler. The special train, which left here as soon as the news of the collision was received, conveyed him to this city, where he died about nine o'clock.
Chillicothe Constitution
Chillicothe, Missouri
June 11, 1890
1895 - Hannibal
Han'nibal, a city of Marion co., Mo., is situated on the Mississippi River, 18 miles below Quincy, and about 148 miles above St. Louis, which is 100 miles distant by land. By railroad it is 206 miles E. of St. Joseph, and 102 miles W. of Springfield, Ill. It is an important railroad centre, being the E. terminus of the Hannibal & St. Joseph Rail road, and the N.E. terminus of the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railroad. It is connected with St. Louis by the St. Louis, Keokuk & Northwestern Railroad, and with Eastern cities by the Wabash Railroad. Hannibal is the seat of Hannibal College (Methodist Episcopal South), which was founded in 1868, and it contains 12 £ a high school, St. Joseph's Academy, a national bank, 1 other bank, gas works, and printing-offices which issue 2 daily and 3 weekly newspapers. It has an extensive trade in lumber, several flouring-mills, iron-foundries, tobacco-factories, lime-kilns, a manufactory of railroad-cars, 2 grain-elevators, and extensive manufactures of... Read MORE...

1916
Hannibal, a city of Marion co., Mo., situated on the Mississippi River, 18 miles below Quincy and 112 miles NW. of St. Louis, on the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy, the St. Louis and Hannibal and other railroads. It has an extensive trade in lumber and general agricultural produce, and has large flouring-mills, iron-foundries, tobacco-factories, lime- and cement-works, and manufactories of car- wheels, stoves, sash, doors, and blinds. Pop. in 1880, 11,074; in 1890, 12,857; in 1900, 12,780.
Lippincotts New Gazetteer: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World, Containing the Most Recent and Authentic Information Respecting the Countries, Cities, Towns, Resorts, Islands, Rivers, Mountains, Seas, Lakes, Etc., in Every Portion of the Globe, Part 1 Angelo Heilprin Louis Heilprin - January 1, 1916 J.B. Lippincott - Publisher
1953 - September 23 - KHQA TV channel 7 in Hannibal-Quincy, MO (CBS) begins broadcasting

historyorb.com
1958 - SEVEN KILLED IN AUTO CRASH.
Hannibal, Mo. (AP) - A head-on highway collision during pounding rain took seven lives Friday, including four children.

The victims were in a car that was crumpled by a tractor-trailer on U.S. 36. The dead were members of two Kansas families.

The bigger vehicle scraped over the top of the car, pinning six occupants. One child was flipped free but died instantly. It took nearly an hour to entangle the wreckage.

The dead:
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN ROGERS, 55.
DAISY, 48, his wife.
DEBBIE ROGERS, 7.
ALICE CAMPBELL, 14, of Parsons, Kan.
MRS. MARGERY SEIBEL, 26.
RODNEY, 3, her son.
ANITA, 6, her daughter, of Valley Center, Kan.
RODNEY was thrown clear but died instantly as did the others except for MARY ALICE, a daughter of MRS. ROGERS by another marriage. She died while volunteers attempted to free her.

The tractor-trailer driver, THOMAS SHORT, 26, of Brighton, Ill., said ROGERS' car swerved into his lane after going out of... Read MORE...

Here's a list of places to go and things to do in Hannibal:
Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum:

Start your visit with a trip to the Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum. Explore the author's childhood home, and don't miss the opportunity to see the famous white picket fence from "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer."

Hannibal History Museum:

Dive deeper into Hannibal's history at the Hannibal History Museum. It features exhibits showcasing the town's evolution, from its Native American roots to its significance during the steamboat era.

Mississippi Riverfront:

Stroll along the scenic Mississippi Riverfront. There are parks and benches where you can relax, enjoy the view, and perhaps have a picnic. The river provides a picturesque backdrop to the town.

Rockcliffe Mansion:

Take a tour of the Rockcliffe Mansion, a grand Victorian home. It offers a glimpse into the lifestyle of Hannibal's elite during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The architecture and furnishings are fascinating.

Cave Hollow West Winery:

If you enjoy... Read MORE...

Discover YOUR Roots: Hannibal Ancestry

Ancestors Who Were Born or Died in Hannibal, Missouri, USA

We currently have information about 7 ancestors who were born or died in Hannibal.

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Genealogy Resources for Hannibal

Discover Unique Gift Ideas from or related to Hannibal

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Missouri BBQ and River Floats Coffee Mug - I'm from Missouri!

Show off your Missouri pride with this mug that says it all: "I'm from Missouri! That explains a lot about my love for BBQ ribs and floating down rivers with a cooler as my copilot."

Patriotic Memories: Memorial Day Vintage Postcard Coffee Mug

Remembering the Brave, Honoring the Fallen Celebrate the spirit of Memorial Day with this stunning ceramic coffee mug featuring vintage postcards commemorating the holiday. Perfect for honoring the brave men and women who served, this mug is both a functional keepsake and a nostalgic work of art. Whether you're sipping your morning coffee or enjoying an afternoon tea, this dishwasher-safe and microwave-friendly mug is a timeless way to show your patriotism. Ideal as a gift for veterans, history buffs, or anyone who cherishes American traditions, this mug makes Memorial Day even more meaningful.
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Updated: 10/12/2023 4:14:37 PM