Pigeons and peanuts: Remembering downtown Raleigh's 'Peanut Man'
If you've lived in Raleigh long enough to have walked down Fayetteville Street in the 1960s and 70s, then you likely remember the smell of salty peanuts wafting down from Capitol Square. Waiting at the end of the street was Raleigh's own 'Peanut Man,' a man named Jesse Broyles who stood there day-after-day with a simple purpose: Selling peanuts to feed the pigeons. Birds flocked around him--even landing on his shoulders and hands--while kids begged their parents to buy peanuts so they could feed the birds.
The story of the Peanut Man sounds like something out of a book of tall tales. He lived to be 104. He served as a Marine in WWII. And no matter what else was going on in the world, you could always find him on Capitol Square, inviting you to forget your worries and feed the pigeons.
Memories of Jesse Broyles, Raleigh's Peanut Man
Many locals fondly remember these simpler times, when Raleigh citizens had a legend living amongst them--when kids and kids-at-heart could purchase a bag of peanuts to eat or to feed the pigeons.
"Peanuts! Get your peanuts! Fresh, roasted hot peanuts," said Lawrence Walker, who remembers hearing these words echo down Fayetteville Street alongside the smell of salt and roasted peanuts.
"I was about 5 or 6 years old. Daddy would let mama, my sister and I out at the Capitol, and he would go on to work and pick us back up when he finished his work for the day. That is how I met the Pigeon Man," said Faye Tyson, a Raleighite who remembers growing up in that time period.
"I would beg my mama for enough money to buy a bag of peanuts so I could feed the pigeons and squirrels. That was the good old days," she said.
In the 1960s the smell of peanuts and flocks of pigeons surrounded Capitol Square, where local icon Jesse Broyles first became known as the "Peanut Man."
The Peanut Man made Raleigh special. He gave our city a sense of shared community and culture; after all, only Raleigh had its very own Peanut Man.
Michael Rose recalled those special times on Capitol Square, saying, "I mean, how many towns had a Peanut Man with a pigeon show in the town square?"
When Raleigh's pigeons had names
If downtown Raleigh has any pigeons today, they are not nearly as prominent as the flocks that surrounded the Peanut Man.
He is remembered as having a special connection with the pigeons that circled Capitol Square.
"I remember the smell of the roasted peanuts, the pigeons and squirrels everywhere, and how he would feed them. They would sit on his arms, knees, shoes and his head or hat," said Tyson.
Locals remember him giving nicknames to his animal friends, and said he could identify each of his pigeons.
The Peanut Man gave Raleigh children a sense of wonder; he gave both kids and adults an opportunity to let go of the world's troubles and focus on life's simple joys. No matter what kind of day you were having, he would always be there on Capitol Square ready to offer you a warm bag of peanuts.
"Something nice and comfortable about seeing him on the sidewalk," said Pete Montague, who shared his memories of Broyles.
Carolyn Shirazi, who spent many summer days feeding the pigeons, said the mention of Raleigh's Peanut Man brings back warm happy memories of simple fun.
In memory of the Peanut Man
The Peanut Man served his role faithfully for over a decade, creating wondrous childhood memories connected with the scent of warm peanuts and the flapping of pigeon wings.
"I never knew what happened to him," said Montague.
In the 1970s, Broyles retired as the Peanut Man. He lived until he was 104.
A memorial bench for Broyles reads: "He brought great joy to North Carolina children."
In these days of hustle bustle, smart phones and stress, a Peanut Man is needed more than ever--to bring us a few moments of childlike wonder and joy in simplicity. For now, though, all we can do is look back at those simple days of childhood, remember the smell of the peanuts and salt, and smile.
Hidden Raleigh history and local nostalgia
If you miss the Peanut Man, you may enjoy reading about 10 icons and landmarks Raleigh has lost in the past 10 years.
Or, you could explore the remains of a NASCAR speedway, where legends raced in the 1950s near the Millbrook community in Raleigh.
Wander the whimsical remains of Raleigh's lost wonderland, where giant pink animal sculptures dotted the landscape of Gotno Farm.
If you have ideas for a Hidden History story, please email hleah@wral.com to tell our Hidden History journalist about the locla history you'd like to see explored.
