This 30-foot sheet steel Mr. Peanut stands outside the Planters' tree nut packaging plant in Fort Smith. That's the plant in the background. According to a plaque at the base, he got a facelift in 1990 by artisans Larry Lessley, Thomas Goodin, Victor Steffen and Ron Vail. The smaller picture is one of a half-dozen or so one-foot sculptures that adorn the front gate at the drive into the plant. Sorry, the plant doesn't offer tours.
UPDATE RTJ 2/25/98: I wrote to Nabisco Brands to get some history on Mr. Peanut. 
Jaqueline Keller of Consumer Information Services replied, "Mr. Peanut was born in 1916, when Planters offered a prize for the best sketch suitable for adoption as a trademark. A 4-year-old Virginia schoolboy submitted the winning entry, a drawing of a peanut with arms and legs labeled 'Mr. Peanut.' A commercial artist later added the top hat, monacle and cane."
That's all well and good as far as it goes, but didn't the Nabisco Consumer Information office avoid telling us the things we really want to know? What did the kid win, what was his name and what eventually happened to him?
RTJ--7/10/97
I got a couple of notes from FRAN247@aol.com concerning Mr. Peanut. I pass them on to you.
Subj: Mr. Peanut Date: 11/25/98 9:07:22 AM EST From: FRAN247 To: Rusty15581 "That's all well and good as far as it goes, but didn't the Nabisco Consumer Information office avoid telling us the things we really want to know? What did the kid win, what was his name and what eventually happened to him?" His prize was $5.00 An artist later added the Top Hat and Monocle. Fran
Subj: Mr Peanut again :-) Date: 11/25/98 9:10:01 AM EST From: FRAN247 To: Rusty15581 "A 4-year-old Virginia schoolboy submitted the winning entry, a drawing of a peanut with arms and legs labeled 'Mr. Peanut.' A commercial artist later added the top hat, monocle and cane." One more thing the boy was 14 not 4 I don't know if your page just has a typo or someone gave you the wrong information. Fran Main Peanut Page
RT--12/18/98
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