Thursday, April 2, 2015

A to Z Challenge: B is for Molly Brown


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Did you know Hannibal is the birthplace of the Unsinkable Molly Brown? Her real name was Margaret "Maggie" Tobin. The feisty redhead was born in Hannibal on July 18, 1867. She left for Colorado when she was nineteen years old where she met and married J.J. Brown.

After leaving her daughter safely behind in England, Maggie boarded the Titanic on April 15, 1912. She was on her way back to Hannibal to visit her ill brother. Her fascinating rags-to-riches story is truly inspirational.

Rumor has it she met Mark Twain while waiting tables at The Park Hotel (has since burned down) in Hannibal. She was a great fan of his books. She dedicated the Tom and Huck statue at the foot of the lighthouse here in town. Her childhood home is only a five minute walk from Mark Twain's home.

Maggie "Molly" Brown's Birthplace
I grew up just across the Big River in a small town in Illinois. Do you miss your hometown? What was your nickname as a child? Mine was/is "little red" given to me by my dad.

18 comments:

  1. Two famous people in your town! And I'm sure that's not all.

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    1. There is one infamous outlaw:) He'll show up on the letter "D" day.

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  2. Yay, she was Team Cancer! hehe I was born July 19th. :)

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  3. Thanks for stopping by yesterday!

    You've certainly chosen an interesting town. I've lived in four homes and all of them were within ten minutes of each other. It would seem that I'm never leaving my hometown.

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    1. Ha! At least, you can travel to other places. If you enjoy your hometown, then it's worth staying!

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  4. I love Molly Brown, she was such a fascinating person!

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  5. The Unsinkable Molly Brown. ;) I always liked learning about her.

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  6. The Unsinkable Molly Brown. ;) I always liked learning about her.

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  7. I had no idea there was a museum dedicated to her. She certainly was a fascinating person.

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  8. I had no idea there was a museum dedicated to her. She certainly was a fascinating person.

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  9. My "hometown" isn't far from where I am now, so no need to miss it. Loved the movie The Unsinkable Molly Brown.

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  10. I never knew so much about Molly Brown. Thanks!

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  11. I dont really miss my hometown much. Nickname...used to be pharoeh

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  12. This was fascinating! I've heard of her, of course, but I never knew all that much about her!

    I love how many cool things I've been learning by cruising the A-Z Challenge. Happy April!

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  13. I would love to see that someday. There are so many great places to visit and history to learn.

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  14. Great post 'Little Red'. I was born and bred London and I'm still here. I recently visited the place I grew up as a girl - my second novel is based in that area. It's changed a lot. Enjoy the rest of the challenge and I hope to pop back for some more fascinating facts.

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  15. I didn't know any of that!
    So cool!

    Heather

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