Statues tell the stories of our past, honoring historical and prominent figures – from George Washington Carver to Hannah Cole – throughout Missouri’s history. The majority of statues, of course, honor real life individuals. The Tom and Huck Statue in Missouri goes against the grain of tradition, paying tribute to literary characters who’ve become two of the most recognizable names in fiction.

Stroll along Main Street in the darling town of Hannibal, and you might feel as though you’ve journeyed back in time, to the days when Samuel Clemens was just a boy.
Facebook/Visit Hannibal
Clemens, who would grow up to become beloved author Mark Twain, moved to Hannibal, from his birthplace of Florida, Missouri, when he was just four years old.
Facebook/Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum
Twain’s influence is everywhere you go in town – from Tom Sawyer’s Fence to the statue of the author that has stood in Riverview Park since 1913. (Twain died in 1910.)
Facebook/Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum
Two of his most famous characters, Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn, also have their own statue, tucked at the bottom of Cardiff Hill at North and Main Street.
Facebook/Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum

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While the adventures of Tom and Huck took place in the fictional town of St. Petersburg, the town was, in fact, based on Twain’s real-life hometown. Thus, it seemed natural that Hannibal be the setting for the statue.
Facebook/Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum
George Mahan hired artist Frederick C. Hibbard to sculpt the statue of Tom and Huck. The bronze statue would be one of the first of its kind. Statues usually, to that point, honored real-life individuals.
Facebook/Visit Hannibal/Mark Twain Boyhood Home & Museum
Mahan is also responsible for saving Twain’s boyhood home. He bought and restored the home, gifting it to Hannibal in 1911. Today, visitors from around the world visit the Mark Twain Boyhood Home & Museum.
Mahan gifted the statue to Hannibal on May 27, 1926. At the time, Mahan said the statue represented Tom when he realized he wanted to get out of town and see more of the world.
Facebook/Visit Hannibal
Huck’s hand is rested on Tom’s arm and, Mahan asserted, shows his contentment with remaining in St. Petersburg while silently trying to keep Tom in town.
Today, visitors from around the world visit the Tom and Huck Statue, snapping photos and selfies.
Trip Advisor/44Renee44
Plan your trip to the Tom and Huck Statue on the official website of Visit Hannibal. Or, stop by its Facebook page.
Google/JJs Adventures Juniorjohnson

Have you been to the Tom and Huck Statue in Missouri? Share your experience in the comments! Soak up another piece of Missouri history with a visit to Gateway Arch National Park in St. Louis.

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Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn Statue, 162-198 North St, Hannibal, MO 63401, USA