One Santa Rosa home claimed by the raging wildfire had a special place in American pop culture — and its loss wasn’t peanuts.
It was the home of the late cartoonist Charles Schulz, whose strip “Peanuts” defined an era.
Jean Schulz, his second wife, safely evacuated, but the family home went up in flames. Her stepson, Monte Schulz, said: “All of their memorabilia and everything is all gone.”
It was the second fire to haunt the creator of Charlie Brown and Snoopy. Schulz, who died in 2000, lost his Sebastopol studio in 1966.
According to Entertainment Weekly, the Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center, also in Santa Rosa and housing much of Schulz’s work — was spared. No damage.
Jean Schulz serves as president of the museum’s board of directors, EW noted.
“Schulz has been an important figure in the community, and the Santa Rosa airport is named after him — the Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport, which boasts one of his most iconic creations, Snoopy, flying on his doghouse,” EW said.
Other coverage and commentary:
Charles Schulz’s home destroyed in California wildfire https://t.co/dV3f0ULveo pic.twitter.com/Hohu7xZHou
— The A.V. Club (@TheAVClub) October 13, 2017
This documentary features his home and life with his 2nd wife. https://t.co/eBqSXDgokv
— Doriano Carta (@Paisano) October 13, 2017
‘Peanuts’ creator Charles Schulz’s home burns down in Santa Rosa fire https://t.co/ICERZwyN63 #naming #branding #santarosa pic.twitter.com/MZY55L82kh
— Igor Naming Agency (@igornaming) October 13, 2017
SO sad to see my beloved ‘Peanuts’ trending, due to the loss of Charles Schulz’ home, in the raging #CaliforniaWildfires. ???? pic.twitter.com/TlfB5dtxdZ
— AmericanME (@AmericanLuvSong) October 13, 2017
13Oct.: The fire that destroyed Charles Schulz’s home reminded me of when he drew Snoopy’s home burning down: pic.twitter.com/CdqVioP2XS
— Alex Philippidis (@AlexWestchester) October 13, 2017