Rigler, H&St. Joe conductor, long had ties to S. Hannibal
This photo, published in the “Concrete Highways and Public Improvements” magazine in July 1927, shows Sycamore Street (formerly known as Fourth Street) in South Hannibal, facing south. Work was under way, at the time, to pave the street. On the left-hand side of the photo, a building with an extended awning is visible in the distance. This was the building that Hiram (1844-1907) and Susie (1847-1919) Rigler owned at the beginning of the 20th Century. They lived on the buildi
TOPS: A no gimmicks approach to weight loss
MARY LOU MONTGOMERY For more than 50 years, the TOPS organization has played an integral role in helping people in the Hannibal area achieve and maintain their weight-loss goals. TOPS is an acronym for “Take Off Pounds Sensibly,” and the local chapter exists to help people with that goal. There are no gimmicks or dictated diets to follow, according to Mary Curry, the local facilitator. Instead, members help each other by offering moral support, “to help you find answers and h
Southern Gospel cruise to benefit First Christian Capital Campaign fund
Stephanie Himmel is associate minister of the First Christian Church of Hannibal. She was installed as Commissioned Minister of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in November 2024. Contributed photo Stephanie Himmel is associate minister of the First Christian Church of Hannibal. She was installed as Commissioned Minister of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in November 2024. Contributed photo MARY LOU MONTGOMERY Brandon Himmel, music minister of the First Ch
Ptomaine poison cuts young Sapulpa teacher’s life short
This inscription is faded, but the sentiment is clear: This teacher touched the lives of her students. The tombstone represents the life of Grace Leach, who taught at Sapulpa’s Woodlawn School 1916-1917. She died of ptomaine poisoning in late May 1917 and is buried in the Old Sapulpa Cemetery. PHOTO/MARY LOU MONTGOMERY MARY LOU MONTGOMERY Just before noon on the last day of the school year, May 30, 1917, some disgruntled boys hid near the steps leading up to the entrance of
Holy Family: Building lasting bonds within school’s walls
Sara Hooley, who obtained her early education at Hannibal’s Holy Family School, now serves as the school’s principal. “I do feel this is where I’m called to be,” she said. Contributed photo. MARY LOU MONTGOMERY A family environment. That’s how Sara Hooley describes Hannibal’s Holy Family School. As the school’s principal, she said that the 121 students currently enrolled in grades preschool through eight are following a century-long tradition of Catholic education. “Eighth gr
Tilden R. Selmes: Where he lived and worked circa 1858
There is a house standing - in 2026 - at 514 North St., that may have been the house that Tilden R. Selmes purchased for his family in 1858. The lot is one and the same. 2026 Photo by Mary Lou Montgomery Tilden R. Selmes, a banker and Main Street merchant in Hannibal as early the mid 1840s, long made a home for himself and his young family in boarding houses scattered across Hannibal’s downtown. That changed when he finally laid claim to a house he could call his own, locate
Old house, new owner. House served as a learning center for preservation trades students
The Van Swearingen House is located on 322 North St., in Hannibal. It was restored by the historic preservation trades class at Hannibal High School, led by Bob Yapp of Preservation Resources, Inc. Note: In 2026, the house is owned by J.S. Brown Investments LLC. Photo by Mary Lou Montgomery July 13, 2013 By Mary Lou Montgomery Aimee Hosmer can't believe her good fortune. Friday, after she and her family spent their first night in their new house, she drank her morning cof
Anniversary celebration that spans the decades
Wallace H. Dixon was editor of the Hannibal newspaper, the Home Protective Record. Source: Hannibal Courier-Post, Feb. 1, 1912. Newspapers.com MARY LOU MONTGOMERY The lasting commitment and life-long companionship of an aging Hannibal couple were celebrated by friends and family on the evening of Dec. 28, 1941, at the home they owned, 2105 Spruce St. On that evening, Wallace H. Dixon and Sarah Taylor Dixon were the guests of honor at a surprise party marking their 54th weddin
Education was key to Dixon’s success
Wallace H. Dixon was principal of Palmyra’s Lincoln School from 1898 to circa 1909. This photo, dated circa 1913, is reprinted from the book “Palmyra Marion County, The People and Their History” published by Lee and Beverly Keck, Keck Enterprises, in September 1994. MARY LOU MONTGOMERY Solomon Dixon, a 27-year-old slave of mulatto complexion residing in Missouri’s capital city, was about to be separated from his family. He had cash, earned as a private worker during his ensla