Comments on: Reminiscences of a Raleigh Boy, Part 2: Capitol Square

By: raleighgirl

raleighgirl — Sat, 19 Feb 2011 02:40:42 +0000

Back in my (much) younger days, I babysat for a kid whose mother suggested I take him down to Capitol Square (among other places) for entertainment. I’d buy peanuts from The Peanut Man and then to the great delight of my young charge, I’d place the peanuts along my outstretched arm, tops of my feet, top of my head and the pigeons would alight on me and eat the peanuts. Bird Girl of Capitol Square! UGH… can’t believe I did that!

By: Kent

Kent — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 15:47:17 +0000

I realize it’s been almost two years since some of the previuos comments, but regarding the Peanut Man: if you are on Facebook, there are two different groups about growing up in Raleigh, and at least one of them has photos of him.

By: Fern

Fern — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 02:50:11 +0000

This was great info. Who knew, just getting on one website would link me to this piece of history. I have been a member of First Baptist Church on the corner of Wilmington st.all of my life and I have fond memories of the Peanut Man whom we called the Pigeon Man. Thanks Jimmy and thanks Tim for following up. Facebook is really a great connection.

By: Tim

Tim — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 18:29:07 +0000

Jimmy – I found your comments above after someone on Facebook brought up the “Peanut Man.” I went to First Presbyterian as a kid, so he as a frequent sight. I never knew his name til now – thanks.

By: Raleigh Boy

Raleigh Boy — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 14:25:48 +0000

jimmy– Thanks for supplying the info update on your uncle, Mr Jenks. GNR managing editor and I have discussed doing a post on the ‘Peanut Man’ and his unique role in the history of Capitol Square –and the info from you could be the springboard. And please do pass along any photos of your uncle you might discover– especially any shots of the Peanut Man ‘on the job.’

ncsu– yes, do look into loacating your friend’s photos. We’ll get permission from AP to publish them if need be!

By: NCSU

NCSU — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 23:58:50 +0000

A friend of mine worked for the AP as a photographer for many years and I’m almost positive he did a photo series on the Peanut Man at the Capitol. I’ll see if he still has them or if they became the property of the AP.

I’m sure both the pigeons and the peanut shells created a mess, but I have some fond memories of all that. I can picture Mr. Jenks very clearly.

By: jimmy

jimmy — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 22:11:24 +0000

his name was burnace jenks. died in the early 70′s. buried at the cemetery just north of the falls of the neuse bridge along with a slew of relatives. story was that he was married at one point, it didn’t work out, he never had kids, used to stay off and on with brothers and sisters around town “he would come by and she would feed him” my grandmother said, speaking of the peanut man’s sister, who would be my great-grandmother.

wow, this has really relit this story for me. i will search for pictures and hit up some more family members…

By: Raleigh Boy

Raleigh Boy — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 14:13:12 +0000

Jimmy– wow… the Peanut Man had a real name! Yes, please ask your grandmother anything she can tell you about him and I will post it with this story. And tell her Raleigh Boy sez Hey!

ncsu– I have seen photos of the peanut Man in various books on Raleigh, and I of course have a vivid mental image, but unfortunately I never took any photos. btw– Jimmy, if you happen to have one of your uncle ‘on the job,’ I would love to post it here!

By: NCSU

NCSU — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 02:29:01 +0000

Does anyone have any pictures of the peanut man and his little cart surrounded by all the pigeons?

By: jimmy

jimmy — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 00:54:00 +0000

“the peanut man” was a great uncle of mine. my grandfather used to take me downtown when i was a tiny tot, and yes, we always got peanuts to feed the pigeons, but it was more of a family visit for us. my grandfather was checking on his uncle, his mother’s brother. i’m not sure of his story and how he ended up being the peanut man, but i’ll get back to you on it. his name was jenks. either van dorse or burnice (rhymes with furnace). will be seeing my grandmother (in her 90′s, born in raleigh) soon and will ask her more….