Hannibal, Missouri

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Coordinates: 39°42′15″N 91°22′39″W / 39.70417, -91.3775
Hannibal, Missouri
Nickname: America's Hometown^{[neutrality disputed]}
Location in Missouri
Country	United States
State	Missouri
Counties	Marion, Ralls
Government
- Mayor
Area
- Total	15.1 sq mi (39.1 km²)
- Land	14.6 sq mi (37.8 km²)
- Water	0.5 sq mi (1.2 km²)
Elevation	502 ft (153 m)
Population (2000)
- Total	17,757
- Density	1,215.2/sq mi (469.2/km²)
Time zone	CST (UTC-6)
- Summer (DST)	CDT (UTC-5)
ZIP code	63401
Area code(s)	573
FIPS code	29-30214^[1]
GNIS feature ID	0735640^[2]

Hannibal is a city in Marion and Ralls counties in the U.S. state of Missouri. Hannibal is located at the intersection of U.S. Routes 36 and 61, approximately 110 miles north of St. Louis. The population was 17,757 at the 2000 census. The Hannibal Micropolitan Statistical Area is composed of Marion and Ralls Counties.

1 History and landmarks
2 Webcam/HannibalCam
3 Things to do in Hannibal
4 Geography
5 Demographics
6 Education
7 Transportation
- 7.1 Major Highways
8 Colleges
9 Hannibal residents
- 9.1 Fictional Hannibal residents
10 Attractions
11 Gallery
12 References
13 External links

[edit] History and landmarks

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Hannibal, Missouri

Although the site of Hannibal was previously occupied by early settlers and Native American tribes, the city of Hannibal was founded by Moses Bates in 1819.^[3] Although the city initially grew slowly to a population of only 30 by 1830, access to Mississippi river and railroad transportation fueled growth to 2,020 by 1850. Hannibal had gained "city" status by 1845^[4] The city served as a bustling regional marketing center for livestock and grain as well as other products produced locally, such as cement and shoes, throughout the remainder of the 19th century and on to the present time.^[5]

The community is most well known as the boyhood home of celebrated author Mark Twain and more specifically the setting of his The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Historical sites related to Mark Twain and sites depicted in his fiction have become an important part of the town's legacy.

In the Broadway musical Damn Yankees, Hannibal was the hometown of the protagonist's assumed persona.

Hannibal was also the birthplace of singer and actor Cliff Edwards ("Ukelele Ike") and 'The Unsinkable Molly' Brown. Other native sons include inventor Bill Lear and NBA basketball coach Cotton Fitzsimmons.

Hannibal is popular with both American and international tourists (drawing many in recent years from Asia). Some local residents have criticized the town's efforts to attract tourists, comparing it with Disneyland. However, most Hannibal residents enjoy the visitors and the town at large enjoys much success through tourist revenue.^[6]

The Mark Twain Memorial Lighthouse was constructed in 1933 and has been lit at three separate times by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, President John F. Kennedy, and President Bill Clinton. Rockcliffe Mansion sits upon another knoll in Hannibal, is listed on the National Register of Historic places and has been named an American Castle by someone on A&E Television.

[edit] Webcam/HannibalCam

HannibalCAM The HannibalCam.com webcam showcases both North and South Main Street of the "Historic District" live online. The camera's downtown location is 123 N. Main Street on the roof of The Main Street Kitchen Store.

[edit] Things to do in Hannibal

The view from Lover's Leap of Hannibal and the Mississippi River

People in Hannibal often enjoy walking in Riverview Park [1] (465 acres overlooking the Mighty Mississippi), swimming at the Hannibal Aquatic Center[2](which has been newly renovated), visiting local shops downtown (including hanging out at Java Jive (coffee shop)) and the notorious Mark Twain Dinette (maidrites), Becky Thatcher Restaurant (breakfast) or even walking up to Lover's Leap (View of River) off highway 79. Two notable mansions in Hannibal are the John Garth Woodside Mansion and the Rocliffe Mansion. Visitors enjoy free tours at the historic Garth Woodside Mansion, Missouri's highest rated B&B. The Garth Mansion also has Hannibal's finest dining restaurant. Hannibal is also home to several caves with a lot of history, notably Mark Twain Cave and Cameron Cave. Visitors and locals alike enjoy heading down to the Breadeaux Pizza shop on Monday nights to listen to Traditional Acoustic Music performed by a large and varied group of folks from the surrounding Tri-State Area. Celtic and Old Time tunes are the norm.

[edit] Geography

Hannibal is located at 39°42′15″N, 91°22′39″W (39.704065, -91.377378).^[7] It is adjacent to the Mississippi River.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 15.1 square miles (39.1 km²), of which, 14.6 square miles (37.8 km²) of it is land and 0.5 square miles (1.2 km²) of it (3.12%) is water.

The Mississippi River at Hannibal, Missouri

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^[1] of 2000, there were 17,757 people, 7,017 households, and 4,554 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,215.3 people per square mile (469.3/km²). There were 7,886 housing units at an average density of 539.7/sq mi (208.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 90.61% White, 6.57% African American, 0.35% Native American, 0.35% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 0.25% from other races, and 1.79% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.13% of the population. 25.9% were of American, 23.8% German, 10.9% Irish and 10.0% English ancestry according to Census 2000.

There were 7,017 households out of which 32.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.0% were married couples living together, 13.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.1% were non-families. 30.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.98.

In the city the population was spread out with 25.8% under the age of 18, 10.5% from 18 to 24, 26.3% from 25 to 44, 20.6% from 45 to 64, and 16.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 86.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $29,892, and the median income for a family was $37,264. Males had a median income of $30,677 versus $20,828 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,902. About 11.3% of families and 14.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.2% of those under age 18 and 10.8% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] Education

Hannibal High School [3] was founded in 1896. The current building was erected in 1932. As of 2004 the current enrollment is 1232 ninth through twelfth graders. The mascot of Hannibal High School is the Pirates and the athletic teams play in the North Central Missouri Conference of the Missouri State High School Sports Association. As of 2006 the principal is Darin Powell. The school boasts an active foreign language club, Espancais, as well as an active Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Among the student population, the Student Council is active. Other clubs include Future Teachers of America, Young Democrats, Future Farmers of America, DECA, Key Club, and Natural Helpers (a peer helping group) as well as a wide array of other clubs. Hannibal High School is well known for its heavy reliance on technology which is generally seen as an enhancement for the student body.

[edit] Transportation

[edit] Major Highways

Missouri Department of Transportation - Traveler Information Map

[edit] Colleges

Hannibal-LaGrange College is a Christian liberal arts college located in Hannibal. Hannibal-LaGrange is a four-year liberal arts college fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Founded in 1858 in LaGrange, Missouri, the campus moved downriver to Hannibal in 1928. Dr. Woodrow Burt was elected the 16th president of Hannibal-LaGrange College on February 10, 1995.

MACC Hannibal Area Higher Education Center is a two year community college that was established in 1999. Currently housed at 109 Virginia on the second floor, the community is raising funds to build a full campus. MACC Higher Education Center offers a full Associates of Arts degree. Dr. Evelyn Jorgenson is the president of MACC. Wendy Johnson is director of the Hannibal site.

[edit] Hannibal residents

Jake Beckley, major league baseball player^[8]
James Carroll Beckwith
Margaret Brown, passenger on the Titanic, the unsinkable Molly Brown.
Robert Coontz
Cliff Edwards, the voice of Disney's Jimminy Cricket
Harry Richard Landis, one of the last surviving World War I veterans was born near Hannibal.
George Poage
Benjamin Prentiss
Scott Sanders, Baseball player
Mark Twain (Samuel L. Clemens)

[edit] Fictional Hannibal residents

Sherman T. Potter, character in the TV series M*A*S*H.
Allison (Liberty Maid) from Josh and S.A.M., 1993 film about two runaway boys fleeing to Canada.
Joe Hardy, from the musical, Damn Yankees. A popular song from the musical was called, "Shoeless Joe from Hannibal, Mo"

[edit] Attractions

Mark Twain's boyhood home is open to the public

Riverview Park - 465 acres of wooded land and scenic views of the Riverfront.
Mark Twain Memorial Lighthouse - The only lighthouse built inland features a panoramic view of Hannibal and the Mississippi River.
Mark Twain Cave - World Famous Mark Twain cave.
Cameron Cave - Missouri's newest show cave.
John Garth's Woodside Mansion - Historic 1870's Victorian mansion is Missouri's highest rated and voted Bed and Breakfast. ^[9]
Tom & Becky Appearances - See one of the most famous literary couples downtown.
Mark Twain Boyhood Home & Museum Properties - Tour the boyhood home, museum, interpretive center, Huckleberry Finn house, Becky Thatcher house, J.M. Clemens Justice of the peace office, and Grant's Drug Store all with one ticket.
Mark Twain Mississippi Riverboat - Cruise on a nostalgic riverboat up and down the Mighty Mississippi River.
Rockcliffe Mansion - A turn of the century Mansion. One of "America's Castles" with 30 rooms of wonder.
Molly Brown Birthplace & Museum - Did you know that the "Unsinkable" Molly Brown was on her way to Hannibal when the Titanic sunk? Restored to 1860's splendor.
Sawyer's Creek Fun Park - Amusement complex on the riverfront. The only place you can eat with a view of the Mississippi River.
Hannibal Rocks Offroad Park: Hannibal Rocks