Mysteries at the Museum Season 7 Episode 8 Pikes Peak Peanut Pusher

In season 7 episode 8 of Mysteries at the Museum, titled "Pikes Peak Peanut Pusher," the show delves into the story of a man who single-handedly pushed a peanut up the steep mountain of Pikes Peak in Colorado. This seemingly ridiculous feat has become a icon of American pop culture, but the tale of this man and his peanut has a deeper, more fascinating history.

The episode begins with host Don Wildman visiting the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum, where he is shown a peanut that has been preserved in a glass case for over a century. The peanut was carried to the top of Pikes Peak in 1908 by a man named Frank D. Crowley, who claimed that he pushed the peanut the entire way up the mountain, sometimes having to crawl on his hands and knees. Wildman is skeptical, but the museum curator shows him evidence of Crowley's journey, including newspaper articles, photographs, and eyewitness accounts.

Wildman then travels to the base of Pikes Peak, where he meets with local historian Steve Leigh. Leigh explains that during the early 1900s, Pikes Peak was becoming a popular tourist destination, and there was fierce competition among businesses to attract visitors. One of the ways businesses tried to stand out was by having gimmicks, like a monkey show or a fireworks display. Frank D. Crowley saw an opportunity to make a name for himself and decided to push a peanut to the top of the mountain.

As Wildman hikes up the mountain, he learns about the many challenges that Crowley would have faced, including altitude sickness, extreme weather, and steep inclines. Crowley was a former circus performer and had strong legs, but even he must have struggled with the weight and size of the peanut, which would have been cumbersome to push uphill. Wildman is impressed by the determination and stubbornness that Crowley must have possessed to complete such a difficult task.

At the top of Pikes Peak, Wildman finds the remains of Crowley's peanut, which is now a small, shell-less nub. He speaks with a man who runs a gift shop on the summit and sells t-shirts with Crowley's image on them. The man tells Wildman that many people come up to the mountain looking for information about Crowley and his peanut, and he believes that the story has become a symbol of the American spirit of perseverance.

However, the episode takes a darker turn when Wildman learns that Crowley's story is not as straightforward as it seems. As he speaks with a local historian named Leah Davis Witherow, he is shown evidence that Crowley may have been mentally unstable and may have even attempted to murder his wife and children. Witherow suggests that Crowley's peanut push may have been a publicity stunt to distract from his troubled personal life. Wildman is shocked to learn that the man he had admired for his fortitude may have had a darker side.

In the end, "Pikes Peak Peanut Pusher" is a fascinating look into the history of a quirky American icon. The show balances the humor and charm of the peanut story with a serious examination of Crowley's life and his possible motivations. Wildman's adventure up Pikes Peak adds to the excitement of the episode as he struggles to comprehend the physical and mental challenges that Crowley must have faced. Ultimately, the episode leaves viewers with a deep appreciation for the fascinating stories that can be found in unexpected places.