American author Mark Twain. A previous owner was a schoolteacher who researched the house and found that Twain met Mrs Hobbs and was very impressed with her wealth, Mr Monaghan said. He came through the area in that time and was shown off to some of the local celebrities. Mrs Hobbs was a prolific mine owner and Seaby Street resident at the time that Twain was in Stawell, in transit from Adelaide to Melbourne. A grand hallway is a step back in time. Mr Monaghan said her elaborate riches could still be seen in the historic five-bedroom home, which featured a grand dining room and formal living space off a commanding central hallway, a library and stables converted into a garage.