Today, Hannibal Missouri is a thriving city supported by industrial and retail businesses, state of the art healthcare services, diversified agribusiness, and a world-renowned tourist community. For the tourist visiting Hannibal the Adventure of Mark Twain’s day is still alive and well. Start with a tour of the Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum, then continue in his footsteps as you explore the Mark Twain Cave Complex, find out where he got his pen name as you take a cruise on the Mark Twain Riverboat, then get ready for a night of entertainment at one of Hannibal’s live theaters or take in a classic movie at the Star Theatre. All of this along with historic homes like the childhood home of the Titanic’s Molly Brown and Rockcliffe Mansion awaits your family in historic Hannibal Missouri. Hannibal also features fine and family dining around town at one of our great family owned restaurants. So, with all of this why not spend the night here in “America’s Hometown” at one of our fine Hotel/Motels or world class B&B’s! Founded in 1819 by Moses D. Bates, the river town soon flourished as a principal docking port for steamboats, flatboats, and packet steamers traveling the upper Mississippi. By 1845, Hannibal had achieved city status and by 1860, the population had more than doubled, making it the second largest city and third commercial center in Missouri. Early industries that greatly influenced the city's growth included pork packing, soap and candle making, coopering, milling of lumber, and railroad industries diminished, other Hannibal business ventures took their place, including shoe manufacturing, button making, and cement production. Today, Hannibal boasts a diverse industrial economy that includes the production of agricultural chemicals, food products, rubber and plastic products, electrical and automotive equipment, and various other manufactured goods. Hannibal has grown into a thriving haven for artisans. Included in the famed, 50 Miles of Art, Hannibal is home to numerous worldclass artists and craftsmen. The city is proud of its long list of well-known 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, known worldwide by his pen name, 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. Many of the popular characters featured in The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, and other beloved works, were based upon people Sam had known while growing up in Hannibal. No matter what you choose to do you will find our town of nearly 18,000 very accommodating. I'm sure you will agree that Hannibal is a magical experience for individuals and families alike.