Sometimes the best discoveries happen when you’re just taking care of boring car business and suddenly notice a street name that makes you curious…
The first time we were in Fort Smith, we completely missed that Mr. Peanut was even there until we were stationary for a minute dealing with car stuff and needed something fun to do.
Technically, this was one of our Mystery GPS Tours — I knew we were going to see Mr. Peanut again, just not when. Zach was on turn-by-turn duty, no context, no clues, just following the route like a human GPS. When we turned onto Planters Road and he caught a whiff of roasted peanuts, he paused and said, “Wait… is this about the peanut guy?”
What we found was absolutely worth the detour: a magnificent 30-foot-tall sheet steel Mr. Peanut statue in Fort Smith Arkansas, standing proudly outside the Planters tree nut packaging plant like a distinguished gentleman welcoming visitors.
The Historic Mr. Peanut Statue Fort Smith
This isn’t just any roadside attraction – this Mr. Peanut statue has an incredible rescue story. Originally, this iconic sign stood at a Planters store on Route 1 in Peabody, Massachusetts. By the late 1960s, the store had closed and the sign was repurposed for the Half Dollar Bar. When that bar closed in the 1980s, Planters came to the rescue in 1988, saving their beloved mascot and restoring him to his former glory.
According to a plaque at the base, he got a facelift in 1990 by artisans Larry Lessley, Thomas Goodin, Victor Steffen and Ron Vail, ensuring this piece of advertising history would continue to delight visitors for years to come.
Mr. Peanut Fort Smith Arkansas – The Details
Standing 30 feet tall in all his distinguished glory, this Mr. Peanut statue looks exactly like the classic mascot we all know – complete with top hat, monocle, white gloves, spats, and cane. He’s positioned at the visitor entrance alongside two small Mr. Peanut statues and a large copper-colored sit-with-Mr.-Peanut photo-op that’s perfect for those Instagram moments.
And here’s a fun bonus: it actually smells like roasted peanuts when you drive by, adding another sensory layer to this roadside adventure.
Why This Mr. Peanut Statue Fort Smith Stop Matters
What makes this particular roadside attraction special isn’t just its impressive size or classic design — it’s the story of preservation and rescue. In a world where so many vintage advertising icons disappear, Planters made the effort to save this piece of Americana and give it a permanent home where travelers can continue to enjoy it.
Our accidental discovery of the Mr. Peanut statue in Fort Smith perfectly captures why we love spontaneous detours. Sometimes the best adventures happen when you’re not even looking for them — you just notice a street name that makes you curious and decide to follow it.
Visiting Mr. Peanut in Fort Smith Arkansas
📍 Located at 4020 Planters Road, Fort Smith, Arkansas, this iconic 30-foot-tall statue stands proudly outside the Planters tree nut packaging plant — right off I-540 at exit 12 to US Highway 71 south.
🚗 Access is easy from the employee parking lot, and the visit is completely free.
👃 Bonus: it smells like roasted peanuts when you drive by.
📸 Whether you’re chasing roadside Americana or just need a weirdly delightful photo-op, this mascot delivers.