History Blog 

Nature is slowly reclaiming an old, historic house located in Northeast quarter of Section 34, Marion County, Mo. The stucco-over brick exterior has fallen in places, and trees are growing in the interior. Once a grand house, it was likely the long-time home of the Harvel Jordan family. Mr. Jordan was long in the livery business in Hannibal. Photo by Susan Humphreys. MARY LOU MONTGOMERY Josh Bach lives in Kansas City and works for a consulting firm, helping electric utility

The house to the left in this photo, surrounded by flood water, was occupied for about 20 years by Thomas A. and Ida Constable. Two of their daughters were married in this house. Mr. and Mrs. Constable moved to Oakwood circa 1923. This photo was taken in 1947, and the house was still standing in the mid 1950s. The demolition date is unknown. The building at the forefront on the right is the old St. Louis and Hannibal Depot. Steve Chou collection. MARY LOU MONTGOMERY In 1902,

Robyn Culp wears a T-shirt featuring her signature frog art and her customized moniker: The Frog Lady. She works as a cashier at the BP on Mark Twain Avenue. Contributed photo MARY LOU MONTGOMERY Next month will mark Robyn Culp’s 16th anniversary, working as a cashier at the BP at 624 Mark Twain Avenue. She’s known by various monikers, including the station mom, the smiling lady, pet grandma, and the term of endearment that is nearest to her heart: The frog lady. “Frog lady”

Brenda Stolte proudly displays a photo of Amy Carter with the parasol that Brenda made to coordinate with a custom dress, which Brenda also made. Amy is flanked by her father, President Carter, at left, and by U.S. Rep. Harold Volkmer, at right. The photo was taken in Hannibal during the Carters’ 1979 visit. Contributed photo MARY LOU MONTGOMERY These days, Brenda Stolte passes her time working with the flowers in her yard. But there was a time in her life when sewing was her

This street sign, denoting the intersection of Spring Street and Recreation Drive, approximates a portion of the former location of the City Poor Farm. Nearby are the tennis courts in South Hannibal. They were built upon a segment of the land that once was the poor farm. Photo by Robert Spaun. MARY LOU MONTGOMERY An electrical storm passed through Hannibal on Aug. 15, 1904, and in its path, lightning shattered the chimney and damaged the roof of the keeper’s home, located on

Jennifer Ruhl, new owner of Ravenscraft Realty, has relocated the long-established business to North Third Street, in the building which formerly housed the Hannibal Courier-Post. Contributed photo MARY LOU MONTGOMERY A third-generation realtor, Jennifer Ruhl is undertaking a new business venture. When John Ravenscraft, of Ravenscraft Realty, told her of his plans to retire, she stepped forward to take the reins of the firm that has long served Northeast Missouri. The company

An American flag and a plaque now serving as a veterans’ memorial at Riverside Cemetery will soon have a new and improved backdrop. The cemetery’s board voted this week to begin work on a new memorial to veterans, which will feature a large engraved stone, a new concrete pad, a new flag pole and solar lighting. Photo contributed by James Youse. MARY LOU MONTGOMERY Josiah Hunt (1818-1874) was superintendent of the Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad when the route - upon its comp

The lot, upon which this red brick house was subsequently built, was purchased by Walter F. Tessman in March 1903. Tessman transferred the lot and the house he had built upon the land to Home Savings and Loan Association in January 1905. The lot was originally a part of the Kleine Brewery property, which was located behind this house, up the hill toward the east. The partial street shown in this photo was known as Spring Street, although there is currently no sign marking the

Ryan Rayl instructs a class of young learners on the fine art of skateboarding. A memorial fundraiser is currently under way which will provide scholarships and equipment for those wanting to skateboard, who don’t have the means. The fundraiser is a memorial for Jason Robert Fletcher, who died Feb. 8, 2026, at the age of 42. He was employed at Dirt Cheap, and his coworkers helped to organize this fund drive. Photo contributed by Ryan Rayl; reprinted with permission. MARY LOU