THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, November 25, 1995 TAG: 9511220428
SECTION: REAL ESTATE WEEKLY PAGE: 3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ROBERT K. TURNBULL, SPECIAL TO REAL ESTATE WEEKLY
LENGTH: Long : 114 lines
Dressed in top and cane, Mr. Peanut won his way into the hearts and homes of millions of Americans. What few people know, however, is the birthplace of this American advertising icon.
He was conceived, in fact, in the Suffolk neighborhood of Hall Place - born and raised in the home of a gentleman named Frank Krize in 1913.
``As the story goes,'' explains Baker Parker, a long time resident of Hall Place, ``Mr. Amadeo Obici, the founder of Planters Peanuts, moved to Suffolk, and wanted a logo for the company. Well, Frank Krize came up with the idea to have a neighborhood contest.
``There was this little fellow, about 15 years old, by the name of Gentile who sent in a rough sketch to Frank who worked in the art department. Frank took it, polished and sharpened it up into the internationally-recognized Mr. Peanut that you see today.''
Hall Place is a 75-year-old community just off of U.S. Route 58 beyond the railroad tracks, nestled in the heart of old Suffolk. Some of the homes in Hall Place were built by parents, aunts, uncles and even grandparents of the residents living there now.
``I was born and raised here.'' says Parker. ``My great-uncle Homer Brinkley was a carpenter and built that house we live in almost 80 years ago. I have such good memories growing up here, playing community ball. Everyone knew each other.
``I can still picture when mothers would walk through the downtown part of Suffolk with their strollers, talking to one another along the way and showing off their babies. Of course I was just a pup then.''
Hall Place is a neighborhood that could best be described as just that - a neighborhood. It's a place where children can ride their bikes down the sidewalks (that's right, sidewalks), residents visit their neighbors and everyone's on a first name basis with the local country and hardware store owner, Mike. Built up around the Planters Peanut Co., it's a neighborhood originating officially in the 1920s.
House styles range from a few Victorians, a great number of Georgia Colonials, and some homes, perhaps, with the look of English Tudor. Virtually every house has the classic white columns, front porch, spacious backyards and pecans to last your lifetime, your family's lifetime and all your friends' lifetimes as well.
Unfortunately, Hall Place fell on some difficult times in the early 1980's. Many residents moved and left homes desperately in need of repair. Other residents passed away, leaving the houses for family members to renovate or the city to level. What was once a thriving community has become divided.
Yet, there are streets in this neighborhood that have shown some real signs of life budding throughout. And, for this reason, new residents such as Wendy and Wes Hill have moved to Hall Place.
``It has a real neighborhood feel. We have a lot of neighborhood participation,'' answers Hill when asked why she and her husband moved to Hall Place from Virginia Beach. ``In fact, one of the best things that is starting to happen here is some military families are moving in. They are great, because they are really interested in keeping up on what's going on in the neighborhood and want to know that their kids are attending safe schools.''
Though Hall Place appears to be an older neighborhood that moves at a moderate pace, the schools are truly on the cutting edge of today's quickly growing technology. The combined total of computers in Suffolk's elementary, middle and high schools is 840, many equipped with CD-ROM capabilities and modems that tap into on-line services, allowing students to access information from libraries all around the world.
Recently, Mr. Peanut revisited his birthplace to cut the ribbon of Virginia's newest and most modern peanut processing plant. Planter's new complex is estimated at $35 million, covering about 244,000 square feet.
What's more, just around Hall Place's corner (figuratively speaking) is some much needed help from the city. Hall Place has been selected by the Affordable Housing Task Force for revitalization, set to begin this January.
Today, Newport News and Hampton Roads is easily accessible via the Monitor-Merrimac Bridge-Tunnel. Route 58 to Interstate 64 is lightly traveled even during the rush hour, so getting to Virginia Beach in 30 minutes is possible ``if you hit all the lights just right,'' adds Hill.
``The best part of Hall Place is you can get a house for as little as $35,000,'' says Hill. ``It would involve some work, but it would be the cutest home. My house is going to be paid for in 12 years, and I like that idea.''
So, if you hare interested in having a big home, in a neighborhood rich in history where everybody knows your name; watch a few episodes of This Old house, buy a home in Hall Place and with a little help from Bob Villa and Mike the local hardware store owner, you could have yourself quite a ``place'' to hang your hat. ILLUSTRATION: Color photos by L. Todd Spencer
Baker and Sandra Parker live in the South Main Street house built by
Baker's great uncle 80 years ago.
Viola Rollings rakes leaves in her yard on Cedar Street. Hall place
dates to 1920.
Graphic with map
ABOUT THE NEIGHBORHOOD
Schools: Public - Booker T. Washington Elementary, Forest Glen
Middle and Lakeland High School; private - Nansemond-Suffolk
Academy.
Shopping areas: Chesapeake Square Mall is a 20-minute drive away.
Suffolk Plaza, Suffolk Shopping Center, Holland Plaza and Suffolk
West Shopping Center are less than five minutes away. Downtown
Suffolk is within walking distance.
Recreation: Birdsong Recreation Center, Lake Kilby, Lake Cahoon,
Lake Meade, the Suffolk YMCA, Planters Playground and Peanut Park.
For Sale: At 313 S. Main St., a three-bedroom, two-bath house was
listed for $61,500.
At 506 Cedar Court, a two-bedroom, one-bath house was listed for
$59,900.
Sold: At 198 S. Main St., a three-bedroom, one-bath house sold in
June for $63,900 after 211 days on the market.
At 306 Cedar Court, a three-bedroom, one-bath house sold in May for
$68,500 after 159 days on the market.
by CNB