Hannibal Missouri
Looking back with nostalgia on growing up in a small town on the Mississippi River; Keokuk, IA was such a place. Going up the river a few miles north you reach Fort Madison and just a bit further you come to Burlington. Cross the river to the Illinois side and there is Hamilton and north of that Nauvoo. Head south down the river and you will find Quincy, IL and few miles further Hannibal MO.
This area is a treasure trove of history. Nauvoo is a focal point for the history of the Mormons and Latter Day Saints. Hamilton is home to the world
headquarters of Dadant Bee Hives and Supplies. Keokuk has the lock, dam and a large hydro electric plant that at one time was the largest in the world. Completed in 1913 it has provided electricity for Keokuk and communities as far away as St Louis. The Power House at one time attracted a great deal of industry and commerce to this area.
Traveling further south down the river is Quincy, IL known as the Gem
City; originally named for its college of gems and mineralogy. During
the 1800’s it was a stop for slaves traveling the Underground Railroad
to freedom and it also was a shelter for Mormons who were exiled from
Missouri.
The next port of call is Hannibal, MO the city that Mark Twain called home and the place of adventure for his characters Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn. Another famous spot near Hannibal is Mark Twain’s Cave written about in five of his books and infamous for being the hideout Jesse James and his gang used to avoid capture after the 1879 bank robbery and shoot out in Saverton, MO.
But for me the journey begins in Keokuk. Growing up in a small town there was no identifying skyline, or even a sky dash, by which to see the town from afar. My hometown sat atop a bluff overlooking the Mississippi river. The tallest building there is six stories high. A part of the world where there are no long straight-line interstates, tall imposing buildings, or masses of people. There are trees, plants, grass, parks, fields, farmland, and small barely discernible towns.
You can read about this in my book “Growing up without a Skyline: life in a small town”. This can be ordered from Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/Growing-Up-Without-Sky…/…/B01F9VLT3Q…
The next port of call is Hannibal, MO the city that Mark Twain called home and the place of adventure for his characters Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn. Another famous spot near Hannibal is Mark Twain’s Cave written about in five of his books and infamous for being the hideout Jesse James and his gang used to avoid capture after the 1879 bank robbery and shoot out in Saverton, MO.
But for me the journey begins in Keokuk. Growing up in a small town there was no identifying skyline, or even a sky dash, by which to see the town from afar. My hometown sat atop a bluff overlooking the Mississippi river. The tallest building there is six stories high. A part of the world where there are no long straight-line interstates, tall imposing buildings, or masses of people. There are trees, plants, grass, parks, fields, farmland, and small barely discernible towns.
You can read about this in my book “Growing up without a Skyline: life in a small town”. This can be ordered from Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/Growing-Up-Without-Sky…/…/B01F9VLT3Q…
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