Suffolk was called "Peanut City" because for years Suffolk was the "Peanut Capital of the World," the World's Largest Peanut Market-- hence the name of Suffolk's radio station, WLPM.
Soon after my sister was married, each Sunday after Sunday School at the First Baptist Church in Suffolk my new brother-in-law Charlie Carr would take me out to Peanut City Inn for a coke and bar-b-que or hamburger. For those who do not remember, it was down North Main Street, over the Nansemond River Bridge, just past the WLPN Station on the left, past where the old Obici Hospital stood, in the center of the "Y" of the road where left you went on to Richmond or right on to Smithfield. As I remember from the last time I was in the area, none of that exists any longer, neither the old bridge, the WLPN radio station, "Obici," nor the "Y" in the road.
Joel..just killing time on the computer and found your blog. Thanks for the smile you brought to my day. My family owned the "Peanut City Inn". I was a little to young to remember any of your comments (born in 1951 at the then"new" Obici hospital) but it all fits in with the stories of my older siblings. My family took the "Road to Norfolk" back in 1954 so I never really got to know the place. Thanks for the smile!
ReplyDeleteAnne, I am so glad that I made you smile! Peanut City Inn was my favorite Sunday spot....after Sunday School of course. Then it was home to a big dinner--- not supper; supper was in the evening on Sundays, usually leftovers from Sunday Dinner which we ate about 2:00PM. On other days, we had lunch about Noon or so and then Supper about 7:00PM. Dinner on Sunday was always, always formal. Sunday Supper not formal at all, though we all ate together, usually in the breakfast room. But Supper the rest of the week was around the dining room table, and though not as formal as Sunday Dinner, it was still pretty formal.
ReplyDeleteThanks for making me remember that!
Joel
Just was talking to my grandma of age 94 and was told she was one of the cooks for Peanut City Inn
ReplyDeleteAnd, my Dad was the owner of Peanut City Inn!
DeleteI'm thinking our Mom, Jeanne Babb (Messina) worked there...She worked at the Crystal Restaurant when she met our Dad, Pete Messina, who played for the Suffolk Goobers Baseball team.
ReplyDelete