Renovators open up another loft space in Historic Hannibal
Joni and James Wilson are renovating the 1880-era double building at 209-211 Center, which they purchased from Brad Walden last year. They have created residential loft units upstairs, which are already leased. Next, they are focusing on the first floor, which will be commercial space. This photo shows the foyer on the building’s second floor, which has eight doors leading off the small rectangular entryway. Photo contributed by Joni Wilson MARY LOU MONTGOMERY Joni Wilson has
As snow fell, fire desecrated Bluff telephone switchboard
This notice regarding the Bluff City Telephone Company was found within a digital folder of information regarding “The Telephone in Hannibal 1879-1912.” A fire destroyed the switchboard of the Bluff City Telephone Company at the end of 1911, and the company was ultimately taken over by the Bell Telephone Company in early 1912. Steve Chou Collection. MARY LOU MONTGOMERY A blanket of snow greeted Hannibalians as they awoke at their usual hour on the morning of Saturday, Dec. 16
1956 fence-painting competition set stage for annual celebration
Dennis Reed, the 10-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Reed, of Jefferson City, formerly of Hannibal, won first-place in the fence painting contest at Hannibal on Aug. 18, 1956. The event was held in conjunction with the Mark Twain Day in Hannibal. Gov. Phil M. Donnelly proclaimed the week of Aug. 12-18, 1956, Tom Sawyer Week. Archive photo, Steve Chou collection. MARY LOU MONTGOMERY A simple fence-painting contest conducted on Saturday, Aug. 18, 1956, unwittingly served as
Hardware merchant patented bucket/mop wringer combo
By MARY LOU MONTGOMERY The 1901 Hannibal City Directory, accessed via the Hannibal Free Public Library’s website, carries this illustration of “Peck’s Bad Boy” Mop Wringer. The inventor was E.J. Peck, a South Hannibal hardware merchant. It is unclear where the name “Bad Boy” came from. This is the only reference found to this name. In mid June, 1900, Edward J. Peck’s primary focus was on a device of his own invention, and its potential for adding dollars to the till of his ha
South siders dig deep to fund new fire station
MARY LOU MONTGOMERY The officers of the Fire Department planning committee met at 7:30 p.m. June 13, 1902, for the purpose of discussing the construction of a new fire house. The meeting was held at the hardware store operated by Edward J. Peck, located at 620 Union. It was in that single-story building - long since demolished and replaced a two-story brick building still standing — that the fire committee had this, and many subsequent, meetings to plan and fundraise for a Fo
Juarez, charged with murder, to be arraigned Feb. 6
Gabriel Anthony Juarez, born in 1997, of Hannibal, was bound over to Circuit Court following a preliminary hearing on Monday, Jan. 12, 2025, in Marion County Associate Court at Hannibal. Evidence was presented before Judge Jennifer Richardson, who determined there is probable cause that a felony occurred on all counts. Juarez is charged with three felony counts: Domestic Assault, first degree, serious physical injury; Murder 1st degree; and Armed Criminal Action. The charges
Officer with South Hannibal ties captures ‘high speed’ offender on Broadway, 1915
Theodore Likes, photo originally from a Hannibal National Bank collection, served as a Hannibal police officer for a number of years. In 1937, he was employed as a security guard for Hannibal National Bank. He died in 1946 at the age of 74. During most of his years in Hannibal, he lived at 1121 Union St. Photo from Steve Chou’s collection. MARY LOU MONTGOMERY Two men met at the intersection of Maple and Broadway in Hannibal on Aug. 1, 1915. One walked away with a $10 speeding
Music academy celebrates formidable expansion year
Carrie Griffen, with the scissors, marks the one-year anniversary of the Hannibal Music Academy and Performance Hall on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. Pictured with her are students, teachers and supporters. The HMA is located at 901 Broadway. Hannibal Area Chamber of Commerce photo. MARY LOU MONTGOMERY For the Courier-Post A year ago, Hannibal native Carrie Griffen took a leap of faith, based upon a vision. She foresaw a studio where individuals could hone their music skills, and
Murder victim’s mother hosts awareness protest
A group of supporters stood outside the Marion County Courthouse in Hannibal on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, in order to encourage the Marion County Prosecutor, Luke Bryant, to seek the death penalty in a murder case against Gabriel Anthony Juarez. Juarez is charged in the death of Emily Traynor, 22, at the apartment they shared on North Sixth Street in October 2025. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for 10 a.m. Jan. 12, 2026, before Judge Jennifer Richardson in Associate Circuit