Lumber industry was king in Hannibal at the turn of the 20th Century

This rare photo of workers on Hannibal's riverfront, illustrates the process used to gather lumber harvested in the northern regions of the Mississippi River valley, and floated by makeshift barge to Hannibal, where it was processed in the Bear Creek bottoms and prepared for shipment via rail to all points west. At the turn of the 20th century, the lumber business was king in Hannibal, creating many jobs for Hannibal men, and earning great riches for company owners. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE HULL HISTORY MUSEUM