Hannibal, Missouri is the principal city in Marion County, although not the county seat, and portions of the city extend into Ralls County. The first inhabitants of the area that was to become Hannibal were the Mound Builders, as far as is known. Later, the Missouri Indians occupied the area, followed by the Sac and Fox Indians tribes. Father Marquette and Louis Joliet were the first known Europeans to enter the area, in 1673, although it is not known that they left the Mississippi River. Louis Hennipin is thought to be the first explorer to land at the site, around 1680. Salt was discovered there in the 1790s, prompting the first white settlement of the region. Hannibal was named for Hannibal Creek, which itself was named for the historic Carthagenian general. Abraham Bird received 640 acres of land from the United States government in 1811, and the city itself was founded in 1819 by Moses Bates, who platted the town along the eastern banks of the Mississippi and sold lots at low prices. Bates also owned the first steamboat in Hannibal. Hannibal became a city in 1845. During the American Civil War, most Hannibal citizens were sympathetic to the Confederacy, but the city was occupied by Union troops throughout the war. Today, Hannibal is best known as the boyhood home of Samuel Clemens, also known as Mark Twain, and as the setting for his books, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, and several local sites relate to the author or his writings. Major General Mayberry Prentiss, who fought on the Union side during the Civil War, spent much of his childhood in Hannibal. Hannibal is northwest of Saverton.
Categories
Education & InstructionFaith & SpiritualityHealth & Public SafetyPlaces to Shop | Places to StayServices & IndustriesThings to Do & Places to Go |
Recommended Resources
Hannibal is situated along the Mississippi River in northeastern Missouri. The official municipal web site offers a profile and history of the city, promotional video, city maps, and a guide to the community, as well as council agendas and minutes, its code of ordinances, employment opportunities, and access to various reports, documents and forms.
http://www.hannibal-mo.gov/
Hannibal Area Chamber of Commerce
The not-for-profit organization is made up of local business owners and other interested individuals. The Chamber's purpose, membership benefits, policies, and meeting schedules are published to the site, along with a guide to area businesses and attractions.
http://www.hannibalchamber.org/
Hannibal Board of Public Works
Public Works is a division of the municipal government of Hannibal, Missouri, operating as a non-profit organization, providing electric, water and sewer services to customs living within the city limits of Hannibal. Its history, utility rates, outage reports, and customer service data are posted.
http://www.hannibalbpw.org/
Hannibal Convention & Visitors Bureau
The organization was established for the purpose of promoting the Hannibal, Missouri community as a destination for conventions and to promote its value in tourism. A guide to local shopping venues, restaurants, and guest accommodations are included.
http://www.visithannibal.com/
Published in Hannibal, Missouri, the newspaper offers news and sports stories, reports on area entertainment venues, opinion columns, and obituaries. Other features include photographs, video, a local business directory, and the newspaper’s delivery routes.
http://www.hannibal.net/
Open early mornings and late nights, seven days a week, Java Jive is the first coffee shop west of the Mississippi, located on the banks of the river in Hannibal, Missouri. Directions, hours, menus, and an overview of its catering services and fresh roasted coffees are presented.
http://www.javajiveonline.com/
Broadcasting from Hannibal, Missouri, the television station is an ABC News affiliate. Program schedules, staff contacts, and office hours are featured, and its site includes local and statewide news, sports, and weather, as well as a calendar of events, local attractions, and a classified section.
http://www.wgem.com/
