The “PECHES” sign on U.S. Highway 441 near Rock Eagle has always caught my attention. I believe this produce stand was in business as far back as my college days in the early 1990s, and possibly long before that.* The owners have obviously repainted the sign. According to the great-grandson of the original owner they chose the French word for peaches. It’s a misspelling to those who read English and was a clever way to get attention to what would otherwise been just another roadside fruit stand. Everyone has gotten so used to it that they wouldn’t have it any other way. It truly is a landmark of the area.
It turns out the well-loved stand has been open in one incarnation or another since the 1950s, and, yes, the misspelling is intentional, at least at this point. Some suggested Peches was the owner’s surname, but I never found anything to support this.
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Oh goodness.. I meant, are they going to tear your iconic stand down as 441 is being widened?? I hope not!!
No the owners last name was never Peches. And my great grandfather was the original owner and my father helped build the place. It is correct that the word “Peches” is French. It means ” Peach Trees” Its crazy how rumors spread over time.
Thanks, Daniel. I never though that was correct which is why I didn’t add it. I’d love to know more about your grandfather. That place has been a landmark forever, apparently.
It was. There was alot of famous people that have stopped from time to time when my grandmother Jo Ann had the place. My email is Southerncharm779@gmail.com
I truly admire your diligence on going out and recording these landmarks. Thank you.
Thanks as always for your encouragement, Mark.
What does it has in its pockets, Peches? – Gollum
I enjoyed this article and very rarely comment but I remember stopping at this produce stand way before the 1990’s. If I remember correctly it must have been sometime in the late 50’s or early 60’s when I visited this place.
It’s not misspelled, it’s French!
I hope it survives the road widening.
Me, too. Glad they’re doing it. It’s been needed at least since I was in college in the early 90s. But it’s a real mess through there right now.
The Lake Oconee Magazine featured an article about this produce stand a few years ago. They interviewed the owners who said the misspelling is intentional to draw attention to the business.
I figured that was the case, because they’ve repainted it and I’m sure they have notice it over the years. It’s a great landmark.
I read the article you’re talking about. The owner’s last name was Peches.
The photo of “Peches” gave me a smile! Thanks for posting it Brian !
Yes it has been around since the 80s I remember buying peaches and other vegetables there when I was a kid.