Mark Twain Childhood Influences
(Part 2 of 3)
Did you enjoy part-1 of our Finding the Treasure that is Mark Twain series? We started with his boyhood home. Next up is “Mark Twain: Childhood Influences.” It’s all about family, friends, and others who inspired his stories.
You see, Twain modeled many of his fictional characters after people and places from his childhood. How much he did often surprises his readers.
The next few buildings included in the tour played a big part in creating those characters.
So let’s continue with part 2…..
On the left is Grant’s Store where the Clemens family lived for a short time. The J. M. Clemens Justice of the Peace courtroom and office is on the right.
Location:
415 N Main Street
Hannibal, MO 63401
Museum:
(573) 221-9010
Hours:
Nov-Mar: 10a-4p, daily
Apr-Oct: 10a-5p, daily
Fees: $6-11
Includes 5 historic properties & 2 museums.
Website:
MarkTwainMuseum.org
Fireplace in the reconstructed Tom Blankenship (aka Huck Finn) childhood home.
The Real Huckleberry Finn
Huckleberry Finn was based on a real person—Tom Blankenship. He was one of Sam Clemens childhood friends and lived on the block behind the Clemens family.
Tom was one of eight children in a family of very scanty means. He was often known for getting in trouble. Twain described him as “ignorant, unwashed, and insufficiently fed.” However, he was free to do what he wanted, happy, and had a good heart.
The Blankenship home was reconstructed in 2006. Inside you get an idea of the family’s meager living from information boards telling their story.
One of several signs inside the Blankenship home. This one shows a photo of the original home.
Sketch showing location of Huck Finn and Becky Thatcher homes along with Mark Twain's.
Laura Hawkins (aka Becky Thatcher) home across the street from the Clemens home.
First Sweetheart and Lifetime Friend
Next stop on the tour is the home across the street. This is where Twain’s model for Becky Thatcher lived. Her real name was Laura Hawkins.
As childhood friends, Laura was his very first sweetheart, just like Becky was Tom’s in The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.
Sam Clemens and Laura Hawkins were lifelong friends, visiting one another in their later years. She died at age 91. Buried in Rensselaer, Missouri, cemetery visitors see both her real name and "Becky Thatcher" inscribed on her headstone.
Sign outside Becky's home.
The tour displays inside the restored 2-story home appeal more to younger children, but can easily enjoyed by adults too. Along with a few items on display, info boards tell about how children lived in the 1850’s.
Display sign inside Thatcher home.
J. M. Clemens served as Justice of the Peace. His office was just across the street from the family home.
Family Influence in Twain's Stories
Next, enter the office of J. M. Clemens, Justice of the Peace and father of “Mark Twain.”
Known as an upstanding and likable man by the town, at home he was strict. Sam once remarked he had never seen his father smile.
No doubt the childhood experience noted on the sign influenced Mark Twain's stories.
Woven into several of Twain’s stories are courtroom scenes, trials, and other episodes entailing the law. Likewise, schoolteachers and others who doled out strict sentences came from his father’s influence.
Courtrooms of yesteryear were much simpler and the Justice of the Peace handled everything.
In contrast, his mother was witty and friendly. She was the inspiration behind Aunt Polly in Tom Sawyer. Sam combined himself with two other childhood friends to create the mischievous Tom.
(Interesting fact about the Justice of the Peace Office: Originally the building’s location was a few blocks away. Warner Brothers Studio purchased the neglected building and gifted it to the City of Hannibal in 1943. Moved to the current location in the 1950’s and renovated, the site opened for tours in 1959.)
The Clemens family lived above Grant's Drug Store during a particularly hard time.
Grant's Drug Store and Temporary Home
Around 1846, the Clemens family faced great financial hardship. Losing their home, generous neighbors across the street, Dr. and Mrs. Grant, came to the rescue. They invited the Clemens family to live with them while getting back on their feet.
Quarters were tight as both families lived in rooms above Grant’s Drug Store. To help pay for the kindness, Jane Clemens, Sam’s mother, cooked for everyone during their brief stay.
The drug store is viewed through Plexiglas on the 1st floor. Be sure to take the stairs to the 2nd floor to see how two families managed to live in one home.
Dining area on the 2nd floor of Grant's Drug Store.
Childhood Memories Influence Our Lives
Mark Twain was genius in transforming his childhood memories into timeless stories we enjoy a century later.
No doubt we all have life events that range from amusing to thought provoking, each event shaping who we become as adults. Have you written yours down for posterity? You may not become a world-renown writer but your lessons learned can teach future generations.
Ready for part 3? It’s coming next week.
Map showing location of Mark Twain sites
About the Mark Twain Home Foundation
The Mark Twain Home Foundation oversees the historic properties, museums, and gift shops. Donations, tour fees, and gift shop sales support the foundation. It receives no state or federal funding.
Its mission is to “promote awareness and appreciation of life and works of Mark Twain and to demonstrate the relevance of his stories and ideas to citizens of the world.”
Wanting more ideas on relaxing, playing or learning?
Check out our "Things to Do" page for other Worthy Detour stops.
