Hannibal

Hannibal Drinking Water Report Info
Hannibal, Missouri is located along the Mississippi River in northeast Missouri, approximately 100 miles north of St. Louis. The community is intersected by Highway 61 (Avenue of the Saints) and Highway 36 (Chicago to Kansas City Expressway). Hannibal provides convenient, four-path interstate access to St. Louis, Kansas City, Chicago, Memphis, Des Moines, and Minneapolis. Established in 1819 by Moses D. Bates, the river town soon flourished as a chief docking port for steamboats, flatboats, and packet steamers traveling the upper Mississippi. By 1845, Hannibal had accomplished city status and by 1860, the population had more than doubled, making it the second largest city and third business center in Missouri. Early industries impacting the city's growth incorporate pork pressing, soap and light making, coopering, and processing of lumber. As railroad transportation became less prominent, other businesses ventures took its place, including shoe manufacturing, button making, and cement production. Hannibal has a glad list of surely understood sons and daughters, including William Lear (designer of the Lear jet), Congressman William Henry Hatch, Navy Admiral Robert E. Coontz, sculptor John Rogers, Margaret Tobin (the "Unsinkable" Molly Brown), composer Egbert Van Alstyne, and artist Carroll Beckwith. Hannibal's most-famous son is Samuel Langhorne Clemens, referred to worldwide as Mark Twain. At the age of four, Sam's family moved to Hannibal from his birthplace in Florida, Missouri, about thirty miles to the southwest. A large number of the mainstream characters featured in The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, and other famous works, were based upon individuals Sam had known while experiencing childhood in Hannibal. Today, visitors can still tour Mark Twain's boyhood home, the Becky Thatcher house, and the famous Mark Twain Cave. Today, Hannibal is a community of approximately 17,000 individuals. Hannibal is a superb spot to live, work, shop, or simply visit. Hannibal has a number of neighborhood industries, including General Mills (positioned 69 out of the 100 best companies to work for by Fortune magazine for 2008), Watlow Electric, Buckhorn Rubber, Cosmoflex, Spartan Metal, Enduro Industries, Continental Cement, Hannibal LaGrange University, Hannibal Regional Hospital, the Hannibal Clinic, and nearby BASF. Hannibal also has a Collegiate League Baseball franchise, the Hannibal Cavemen, who play in the Clemens Field in downtown Hannibal. Today, Hannibal has an advanced, Home Rule Charter type of government. The city offers a full scope of public services which incorporate police, fire, parks and recreation, public works, streets, inspections, tourism, library, and airport. Three separate fire stations are strategically located throughout the community. Hannibal has in excess of 20 public parks scattered throughout, and a consistently developing multi-use trail system. Community facilities are complimented by the Admiral Coontz Armory (for recreation), boat docks located on the Mississippi River (operated by the Parks and Recreation Department), and an aquatic park within strolling distance from downtown Hannibal. Aside from Hannibal's special historic district, the community has developed into a thriving haven for artisans, and is incorporated along the famous 50 Miles of Art hall. The 50 Miles of Art passageway includes a scenic drive along Highway 79, and focuses on the developing art communities of Hannibal, Louisiana, and Clarksville, Missouri. Hannibal is home to numerous world-class artists and craftsmen. There are two studio tours every year (Spring and Fall) that highlight artists and their studios. Thinking of visiting Hannibal? We've got you secured with loads of good times for youthful and youthful at heart. Hannibal is a magnificent tourist destination for thousands of visitors every year. Start your visit at The Mark Twain Museum or any of the numerous other neighborhood Mark Twain attractions, shop in the beautiful historic district downtown, take a ride to Sawyer's Creek, investigate the Mark Twain Cave Complex, or tour a considerable lot of Hannibal's beautiful historic homes - including a number of bed and breakfasts. Be sure to visit us over the fourth of July when Hannibal celebrates National Tom Sawyer Days for three entire days - a family and region tradition for more than 50 years. Look at the Convention and Visitor's Bureau for other Hannibal activities. Furthermore, don't hesitate to contact us with any additional questions..