Hannibal in Marion County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Gaba's Girls

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., June 5, 2026

1. Gaba's Girls Mural

Inscription.

Born in Hannibal, Lester Gaba competed in a soap-sculpting (Scrappy Soaps) competition for Proctor & Gamble at age 10. It was then that he decided he wanted to be a soap-sculptor. In New York in 1932, Lester designed Cynthia, a lifelike mannequin for Saks Fifth Avenue Before long, brands like Cartier and Tiffany were outfitting what became known as "Gaba's Girls." Lester and Cynthia once posed for Life Magazine.

Erected by Music City Murals.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Man-Made Features. A significant historical year for this entry is 1932.

Location. 39° 42.661′ N, 91° 21.353′ W. Marker is in Hannibal, Missouri, in Marion County. It is on Center Street east of Main Street, on the left when traveling east. Mural is along an unnamed alley. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 100 Center Street, Hannibal MO 63401, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Missouri’s Mark Twain Country.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Lewis & Clark Corridor,

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 territory of the Mississippian Culture,

the Louisiana Purchase,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Eagle Eye Beckley (here, next to this marker); Gideon's Trumpet (here, next to this marker); Bill Lear (here, next to this marker); Ukelele Ike (a few steps from this marker); Marie Ruoff Byrum (a few steps from this marker); Admiral Coontz

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(a few steps from this marker); Kiwanis Park (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); "Great Flood of 1973" Highmark (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hannibal.

Also see . . . Getting to Know Gaba (Nelson, Central Michigan Univ). (Submitted on June 7, 2026, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., June 5, 2026

2. Gaba's Girls Mural

Third mural from left

Credits. This page was last revised on June 7, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 7, 2026, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 6 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 7, 2026, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.