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

Muscatine Journal

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 25, 2021

1. Muscatine Journal Marker

Inscription. In 1853 Orion Clemens became co-editor, co-owner of the Muscatine Journal. With his mother, Jane, and his youngest brother, Henry, he lived on the east side of Walnut Street, at the alley corner, across from this marker. His brother, Sam, then age 18, joined the family in 1854, and worked as a printer and reporter for the Journal. Later Sam became world famous as “Mark Twain.”

Erected 1983 by The Mus-Quo-Ta Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Communications. In addition, it is included in the Daughters of the American Revolution series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1853.

Location. 41° 25.342′ N, 91° 2.518′ W. Marker is in Muscatine, Iowa, in Muscatine County. Marker is on Walnut Street just north of East Mississippi Drive (Business U.S. 61), on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 102 Walnut Street, Muscatine IA 52761, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Trinity Episcopal Church (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Carry A. Nation (about 500 feet away); Mississippi River Record Flood Crest (about 500 feet away); Muscatine County All Veterans Memorial

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(about 800 feet away); Papoose Creek (approx. 0.2 miles away); Replica of the Statue of Liberty (approx. 0.2 miles away); Pioneer Drug Store (approx. 0.2 miles away); Address by President Lincoln (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Muscatine.

Also see . . .
1. Mark Twain in Muscatine. Excerpt:

Samuel Clemens returned in 1853-1854 from his first major travels as a young man to Philadelphia, New York, Washington D.C and other east coast destinations to Hannibal, Missouri. He found that his family, headed by his brother Orion Clemens, had moved upriver from Hannibal to Muscatine, where his brother was now part owner of the Muscatine Journal, the local newspaper, still in existence today. His letters home had shown up in print in his brother's newspapers and Mark Twain scholars believe he spent at least a few months living in Muscatine working for the Journal, splitting his time between Saint Louis and Muscatine. Muscatine counts him as one of its most famous citizens.

(Submitted on January 5, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. Muscatine Journal (Wikipedia)

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 25, 2021

2. Muscatine Journal Marker

Looking west from Walnut Street.

. Excerpt:

The Muscatine Journal traces its history to October 27, 1840, when the first issue of the weekly Bloomington Herald was released. On June 7, 1849, the town's name was officially changed from Bloomington to Muscatine, and the newspaper then became the Muscatine Journal. The most famous contributor to Muscatine Journal articles was Samuel Clemens, otherwise known as Mark Twain. Clemens contributed writings to the Journal from 1853 to 1855. Clemens lived in Muscatine in 1854, when the Muscatine Journal was run by his brother, Orion Clemens.

(Submitted on January 5, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 25, 2021

3. Muscatine Journal Marker

Looking south. The Mississippi River is in the background.

Muscatine Journal Office image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 25, 2021

4. Muscatine Journal Office

3 blocks north and 1 block west of the marker.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 5, 2024. It was originally submitted on January 4, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 57 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 5, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.