Keokuk in Lee County, Iowa — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Mark Twain

Site of the Clemens Brothers' Print Shop

Photographed by Cajun Scrambler, July 26, 2021

1. Mark Twain Marker

Inscription. Samuel L. Clemens (Mark Twain) walked the streets of Keokuk in the years 1855 and 1856. He worked for his brother, Orion, who owned a printing business "The Ben Franklin Book and Job Office” located on the third story of the Ogden City Book Store which stood on this site, 52 Main Street. The Clemens brothers, Sam, Orion and Henry, put together the first Keokuk Directory, made available for one dollar to Keokuk residents July 12, 1856. Young Sam listed himself as an "Antiquarian.” Keokuk would forever remain an important part of Clemens' life, and he would return to "that city on the river” many times. When he left in the fall of 1856, he had made an arrangement with the Keokuk Post to receive his first pay as a professional writer for articles about his travels, using the pen name "Thomas Jefferson Snodgrass.” Later in life he would change that pen name to "Mark Twain." Young Sam Clemens' journey as an author would take him from Keokuk to an honored place in American Literature.

Erected 2009 by Jack R. Meister Family.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

• Industry & Commerce • Notable Places. A significant historical date for this entry is July 12, 1856.

Location. 40° 23.607′ N, 91° 22.868′ W. Marker is in Keokuk, Iowa, in Lee County. It is on South Main Street (U.S. 136) near Second Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 200South MAin Street, Keokuk IA 52632, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southern Iowa. It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Corn Belt,

and in the Great River Road Region.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Keokuk (within shouting distance of this marker); Welcome to Keokuk (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Samuel Clemens (about 700 feet away); Annie Wittenmyer (about 700 feet away); Water When Needed (approx. 0.2 miles away); Keokuk Union Depot (approx. 0.2 miles away);

Photographed by Cajun Scrambler, July 26, 2021

2. Mark Twain Marker

J.C. Hubinger (approx. 0.2 miles away); Waterpower - Dream and Reality (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Keokuk.

More about this marker. Currently the Pilot Grove Savings Bank

Credits. This page was last revised on December 18, 2022. It was originally submitted on August 6, 2021, by Cajun Scrambler of Assumption, Louisiana. This page has been viewed 1,254 times since then and 137 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 6, 2021, by Cajun Scrambler of Assumption, Louisiana.