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

Becky Thatcher's Home

July 24, 2007

1. Becky Thatcher's Home Marker

Inscription.
This was the home of Becky Thatcher, Tom Sawyer’s first sweetheart in Mark Twain’s book Tom Sawyer. Tom thought Becky to be the essence of all that is charming in womanhood.

Erected 1934 by Mark Twain Museum.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings.

Location. 39° 42.711′ N, 91° 21.473′ W. Marker is in Hannibal, Missouri, in Marion County. It is on Hill Street west of Main Street, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 211 Hill 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: Mark Twain's Boyhood Home (a few steps from this marker); Mark Twain's Father's Law Office (a few steps from this marker); Tom Sawyer’s Fence (a few steps from this marker); Grant's Drug Store (within shouting distance of this marker); Mark Twain (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Grant's Drug Store (within shouting distance of this marker); The Mark Twain Boyhood Home & Museum (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Mark Twain (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hannibal.

Regarding Becky Thatcher's Home.

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This building, known as “The Becky Thatcher House” was the actual home of Laura Hawkins, a childhood friend of Mark Twain, who later became his inspiration for Becky Thatcher in the book “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.”

It was purchased by the Mark Twain Boyhood Home & Museum from a private owner in 2000 and the museum took possession in January of 2001.

Building contributes to the Mark Twain National Register Historic District.

Also see . . .
1. Mark Twain Boyhood Home & Museum website. (Submitted on January 10, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.)
2. Mark Twain Historic District National Register Nomination Form. (Submitted on September 20, 2020, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)

Becky Thatcher's Home and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Michael Stroud, circa 1997

2. Becky Thatcher's Home and Marker

Notice the awnings were removed since this picture was taken over 10 years ago. Perhaps due to new ownership?

October 12, 2007

3. Becky Thatcher's Home and Marker

Becky Thatcher's Home. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by M. Bowyer, July 13, 2012

4. Becky Thatcher's Home.

The house has been painted since the previous photos were posted.

On the porch of the Becky Thatcher Home image. Click for full size.

Photographed by M. Bowyer, July 13, 2012

5. On the porch of the Becky Thatcher Home

Credits. This page was last revised on November 22, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 10, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 8,617 times since then and 233 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on January 10, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. 2. submitted on December 27, 2007, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 3. submitted on January 10, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. 4, 5. submitted on September 20, 2012, by M. Bowyer of Indianapolis, Indiana.