Charles M. Schulz, Cartoonist and Writer
Like so many kids my age, I grew up reading the Peanuts books and comic strips about Charlie Brown, Lucy, Linus, and Snoopy. I also loved the Peanuts television specials. Later, I watched them with my own kids.
Charles M. Schulz, cartoonist, author, and creator of the Peanuts, was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and lived in nearby St. Paul. When he was growing up, he loved to draw and create characters. He went to Central High School, but the drawings he submitted for the high school yearbook were rejected! However, decades later, a large statue of Snoopy was placed in the high school to honor Schulz.
Schulz’s career was launched in the St. Paul Pioneer Press. Eventually, the Peanuts comics became one of the most popular comic strips of all time. Schulz’s comics were translated into 22 languages. And Schulz went on the publish multiple books featuring his characters. Since then, his hometown has sought to honor and appreciate Charles M. Schulz.
Peanuts in the Park
Walking through Rice Park in St. Paul on a very wintry February day, I happened upon one of the most whimsical literary tributes I’ve ever seen. It was a sculpture of Marcie, of Peanuts fame, reading on a park bench. Behind her, Peppermint Patty plays football. These two sculptures, and a number of additional sculptures of Peanuts characters in nearby Landmark Plaza, honor Charles M. Schulz, the famous son of St. Paul and creator of the world-famous Charlie Brown books.
See the California page for more on Charles M. Schulz.
Landmark Plaza is the fifth stop on Minnesota Author Adventures Trail Part One.
Rebecca Blake Beech
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