Pages in the History of Elmira


Mark Twain: Legendary Storyteller

Samuel Clemens aka Mark Twain spent his summers in Elmira, writing some of his most famous stories hereIn his youth, Samuel Langhorne Clemens adopted the pen name of Mark Twain, picked up from his days on the Mississippi River. The term made reference to measuring the depth of the water to ensure it was deep enough for steamboat passage.

Mark Twain's ties to Elmira date back to the 1860s. Twain first met Elmira native Charles J. Langdon on a ship to Egypt and the Holy Land. This meeting spawned a lifelong friendship.

In 1868, the Langdons invited Twain to their Elmira home, which once stood on the corner of Church and Main Streets. It was here where Mark Twain courted his future wife, Olivia Langdon. Twain fell in love with his young friend's sister, and on February 2, 1870, Rev. Thomas K. Beecher wed the pair at the Langdon home.

Olivia Langdon, Twain's wife and resident of Elmira For many years, the couple divided their time between Hartford, Connecticut and Elmira, New York. No place on earth, however, made Mark Twain happier than the quiet small city of Elmira in the serene Chemung Valley.

Twain's sister-in-law Susan Crane, and her husband, Theodore owned a farmhouse on one of Elmira's many surrounding hills. They called it Quarry Farm. It was here that Mark Twain and Olivia spent their summers for more than 20 years.

In the summer of 1874, the Cranes presented Twain with a unique octagonal study that sat on a knoll overlooking the valley. In this cozy setting he wrote many of his most famous works including:

  • A Tramp Abroad
  • Life on the Mississippi
  • The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
  • Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
  • The Prince and the Pauper
  • A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court

a youthful picture of Mark TwainAt Quarry Farm, Twain worked in his study from early morning until late afternoon, almost never breaking for lunch.

The author did more than write books in Elmira; he was often seen roaming the streets of the city looking for a billiards game, or someone to chat with.

One of Twain's closest friends was the Rev. Thomas K. Beecher, who performed his and Olivia's wedding ceremony. Twain and Beecher often played billiards in one of the rooms in the Park Church where Beecher was pastor.

In 1904, Mark Twain's beloved wife Olivia died in Florence, Italy. He died on April 22, 1910 in Reading, Conn. Twain was laid to rest in the Langdon family plot in Woodlawn Cemetery alongside his wife and children.

Mark Twain's presence is still alive today in Elmira. There are several monuments in Woodlawn Cemetery. Mark Twain's gravesite is accessible to visitors. The Mark Twain Study, located on the Elmira College campus, is open for toursQuarry Farm which can still be seen from Crane Road, is now owned by Elmira College. It was donated in 1982 as a Center for Mark Twain Studies. Quarry Farm is now an academic facility, reserved as the temporary home for Mark Twain scholars. The Elmira College Center for Mark Twain Studies hosts a variety of special programs.

The Mark Twain Study is now located in the heart of Elmira College's campus. It was given to the college as a gift in 1952. The Study and Mark Twain Exhibit are open daily throughout the summer and contain original photographs of Mark Twain, period furniture, some original to the study, and other memorabilia.The Twain Statue on the Elmira College campus is located in front of Harris Hall and Watson Hall

A statue of Mark Twain stands on the campus, not far from the study. His name is prominent throughout Elmira, including the Clemens Performing Arts Center and Clemens Center Parkway.
>more on the Center for Mark Twain Studies
>display a map to the Elmira College Campus
>more from the Center for Mark Twain Studies

Mark Twain and the Mark Twain Study are also featured on the Welcome sign at the entrance to the City at Interstate 86 and Church Street.