Birthplace of Mr. Peanut

Suffolk, Virginia

The Mr. Peanut historical marker stands in the Hall Place neighborhood of 13-year-old Antonio Gentile, who in 1916 won a contest to design a mascot for Planter's Peanuts. Antonio's drawing, which he named "Mr. P. Nut Planter," had arms, legs, a smile, and a cane. The company later added a top hat and monocle, and shortened his name to Mr. Peanut. He became, according to the marker, "among the most widely recognized advertising icons in the United States."

Antonio earned a measly five dollars for his Mr. Peanut creation. Perhaps feeling guilty about that, Planter's co-founder, Amedeo Obici, paid Antonio's way through college and then medical school. Antonio became a physician and surgeon and died of a heart attack at age 36. But Mr. Peanut may live forever.