Mark Twain Celebrated in Hometown of Hannibal Missouri

American writer Mark Twain was brought up in Hannibal, Missouri, a Mississippi River town in the Midwest. The author of popular books like "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" and "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn," was inspired by his boyhood experiences in Hannibal.

Twain was born Samuel Clemens in 1835, which was 175 years ago in 2010. The year 2010 was an anniversary year for Mark Twain; 175 years after his birth, 125 years after the publication of Huckleberry Finn and 100 years after his death.

Samuel Clemens was born in Florida, Missouri, about 30 miles southwest of Hannibal. Today, his birthplace is the site of a park. The Mark Twain State Park, which is in the Salt River Hills of central Missouri, on Mark Twain Lake. The central exhibit of the park is the birthplace of the author, a two room frame house.

The family moved to Hannibal when he was about four years old, He visited Florida, Missouri to spend summers with his uncle, according to information at the park.

Drive into Hannibal and there is no doubt that Twain is the town's favorite son. Businesses are named after Twain, statues are erected in his honor and there is a museum in the center of town. One can picture young Tom Sawyer, Huck Finn and Becky Thatcher playing on the cobblestone streets.

In the center of Hannibal is a town square of cobblestone, blocked off from traffic. The square is part of the Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum. Visitors to the town can see the outside of the buildings, but there is a fee to tour the buildings. Even standing on the walk gives visitors a feeling about the old fashioned ambiance of Hannibal and fuels the imagination.

The Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum Properties consists of eight buildings, including the Interpretive Center, Mark Twain's Boyhood Home, the Boyhood Home Gift Shop, Huckleberry Finn House, Becky Thatcher House, J.M Clemens Justice of the Peace Office, Grants Drug Store and the Museum Gallery.

A replica of the fabled wooden fence that Tom Sawyer conned his boyhood mates into painting is in front of his boyhood home. Across the street is the large Becky Thatcher House, which is currently being renovated.

On the shore of the Mississippi River, which Twain described in his stories, is the Mark Twain Riverboat. The riverboat is available for one hour cruises on the Mississippi from May to October.

A visit to the Mark Twain State Park and Hannibal,Missouri is like a glimpse back to a different time. The trip is rewarding for fans of the author and can be a great educational experience.

Hannibal is on the Mississippi River, about 120 miles north of St. Louis, Missouri.