History Blog 

Larry Janes, a retired pipefitter, remembers the Southside of his youth as “a good place to live.” Photo by his brother,  Pat Janes. MARY LOU MONTGOMERY Larry Janes of Hannibal, born in 1940, called the living quarters above the Union Bar on Hannibal’s Southside home for much of his youth. It was in this environment that he gained a respectful perspective on the role played by blue collar workers during the years following World War II. The second of three sons born to Frank

Pictured in front of Owens Drug Store at 509 Union Street are, from left, Charles W. Owens, Henry Owens, Robyn Owens (the little one) and Patty Owens. Photo contributed by Robyn Owens Culp. MARY LOU MONTGOMERY On Friday, Sept. 16, 1910, Frank and Henry Owens, proprietors of the Union Pharmacy, 501 Union St., South Hannibal, hosted a watermelon feast for South School students. According to a newspaper article of the day, the students, under the supervision of their principal,

Historic image of J.J. Cruikshank Jr., as he prepares to trim the vines on his house. Photo contributed by Warren Bittner and Juan Ruiz. MARY LOU MONTGOMERY J.J. Cruikshank Jr., the catalyst and financier behind Hannibal’s famed hilltop landmark, Rockcliffe Mansion, is easily recognizable in a rare photograph recently returned to Hannibal. Titled “Crooky ready to trim the vines,” the image is contained within a scrapbook believed to have been kept during the years of 1908-191

The brick storefront, photo contributed by Archie Hayden, shows the newly built Union Pharmacy at the corner of Fifth (Birch) and Union, (501 Union) completed at the end of 1906. The frame building that is pictured was located to the south of the brick building, on Union Street. One man, with a mustache, appears in both photos. Research suggests that beginning in 1905, John Heavenridge conducted a drug store in the single-story frame building which originally stood on the sit

Old store: The Murphy-Lampton Grocery Store stood on the corner of Washington and Third Street (in 1912 renamed South Main) in South Hannibal. This photo was taken around 1908. Those in the photo are identified as Cornelius Murphy and Cornelius Murphy Jr., Bob Murphy and Roy Decker Rosser. Undated newspaper clipping from Mary Lou Montgomery’s collection. MARY LOU MONTGOMERY In mid August, 1895, Murphy & Lampton, popular grocers of their era, displayed an unusually large cabba

Sally Kintz, and her husband Steve, have worked together in order to build their dream house on their rural acreage south of Clarksville. While some of the work has been outsourced, they have completed much of the work themselves. The project has been a time-honored labor of love. Sally is owner of Poole Communications in Hannibal. Contributed photo MARY LOU MONTGOMERY Sally Kintz began her role as an “influencer” long before the noun had social media connotations. As the tor

Frank and Sara North have operated Becky’s Old Fashioned Ice Cream Parlor & Emporium since 2000. Photo by Mary Lou Montgomery MARY LOU MONTGOMERY Not unlike the other buildings on Main in Hannibal, 318 North Main Street has a history. Sara Anton North has been an eyewitness to that history for much of her life. As long-time co-owner of Becky’s Old Fashioned Ice Cream Parlor & Emporium with her husband, Frank, it is second nature for her to reflect upon and analyze the buildin

Flooding on Third Street, South Hannibal (South Main) circa 1903, facing northward toward the Bear Creek bridge. The two-story brick building in the distance, nearest the bridge, is the St. Louis and Hannibal Railroad depot. The two-story, white brick building next to the depot, housed three store fronts, 106: Frank Shuck operated a saloon; 108: C.R. Buchanan, cigar manufacturer and dealer; and 110: P.H. Miller, saloon. The two-story frame building to the south of the three-s

Kathy Kroeger, chair of the upcoming 8th Biennial Quilted Treasures Quilt Show, works on a patriotic-themed wall hanging. Similar projects will be on display at the upcoming quilt show, scheduled for Friday and Saturday, March 27-28, at the Admiral Coontz Recreation Center, 301 Warren Barrett Drive. Contributed photo. MARY LOU MONTGOMERY In one week’s time, the vast expanse of Hannibal’s Admiral Coontz Recreation Center at 301 Warren Barrett Drive will be transformed from a c

Mike, left, and Travis Ferreira work together on an exterior light pole. Mike is the adopted son and one of the dozen children of Travis and Jona Ferreira, owners of Lampton Electric. Mike is a student at Moberly Area Community College, and works with his father in the electrical trade. Contributed photo. MARY LOU MONTGOMERY Travis Ferreira, a licensed electrician, and his wife, Jona Ferreira, are parents to a dozen children, ranging in age from 31 to 12. They have a blended