Rock Hill in York County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

A Tribute to Vernon Grant (1902-1990)

Nationally Acclaimed American Illustrator, Community Leader and Rock Hill's Adopted Son

Photographed by Mark Parker, September 25, 2025

1. A Tribute to Vernon Grant (1902-1990) Marker

Inscription.

A Tribute to Vernon Grant (1902-1990). Nationally Acclaimed American Illustrator, Community Leader and Rock Hill's Adopted Son. "The Whimsical World of Vernon Grant" Dedicated November 30th, 2022, . One morning in 1910, on the plains of South Dakota, a spunky eight-year-old boy by the name of Vernon Grant declared, "When I grow up, I'm going to be an artist. I am going to draw pictures for kids, millions of kids." And that's exactly what he did., It soon became clear that this young lad had a very special gift: the talent to imagine and create. Vernon Grant drew inspiration from all of life's experiences, yet he was particularly fascinated with humor, make-believe, and small things such as frogs, insects, and the tiny clay gnomes that he made from mud. He listened intently to fairy tales and stories told by his teacher in his one-room school. He journeyed far from home for private art lessons, and years later worked odd jobs to pay for his classes at the Chicago Art Institute. Vernon moved to California and taught the artists that would work for Walt Disney. He then relocated to New York City where he built an iconic career that left an indelible mark on America's illustrative art., Vernon Grant's artwork sold many products from cereal, batteries, chocolates, and playing cards to national publications. In 1932, he created and illustrated the famous cereal trio, Snap!® Crackle!® and Pop!® for Kellogg Company's talking cereal, Rice Crispies®. Also in 1932, his depiction of Santa Claus appeared on the cover of the Ladies Home Journal magazine. It would be the first of over one hundred "Santas" published annually ever since., Vernon Grant always had a fresh idea and his distinct style was unmistakably his own. Grant told a story through his art that young and old could enjoy and understand. He created Come-See-Me's Glen the Frog mascot and his prolific holiday art is the inspiration for Rock Hill's ChristmasVille Festival. Both award-winning festivals bring countless tourists to the community annually. Vernon Grant's contribution to American illustration and advertising is legendary. The impact of his art on Rock Hill and the surrounding communities is lasting and continues to delight the young and the young at heart., Mural Designer, Jill Pratzon Mural Painter, Osiris Rain, Special thanks to our sponsors: City of Rock Hill . ChristmasVille . Come-See-Me . RHEDC Quality of Life Committee . Vernon Grant Family, A special thank you to the York County Library for allowing this amazing mural to be installed on their walls

"The Whimsical World of Vernon Grant"
Dedicated November 30th, 2022

One morning in 1910, on the plains of South Dakota, a spunky eight-year-old boy by the name of Vernon Grant declared, "When I grow up, I'm going to be an artist. I am going to draw pictures for kids, millions of kids." And that's exactly what he did.

It soon became clear that this young lad had a very special gift: the talent to imagine and create. Vernon Grant drew inspiration from all of life's experiences, yet he was particularly fascinated with humor, make-believe, and small things such as frogs, insects, and the tiny clay gnomes that he made from mud. He listened intently to fairy tales and stories told by his teacher in his one-room school. He journeyed far from home for private art lessons, and years later worked odd jobs to pay for his classes at the Chicago Art Institute. Vernon moved to California and taught the artists that would work for Walt Disney. He then relocated to New York City where he built an iconic career that left an indelible mark on America's illustrative art.

Vernon Grant's artwork sold many products from cereal, batteries, chocolates, and playing cards to national publications. In 1932, he created and illustrated the famous cereal trio, Snap!® Crackle!® and Pop!® for Kellogg

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Company's talking cereal, Rice Crispies®. Also in 1932, his depiction of Santa Claus appeared on the cover of the Ladies Home Journal magazine. It would be the first of over one hundred "Santas" published annually ever since.

Vernon Grant always had a fresh idea and his distinct style was unmistakably his own. Grant told a story through his art that young and old could enjoy and understand. He created Come-See-Me's Glen the Frog mascot and his prolific holiday art is the inspiration for Rock Hill's ChristmasVille Festival. Both award-winning festivals bring countless tourists to the community annually. Vernon Grant's contribution to American illustration and advertising is legendary. The impact of his art on Rock Hill and the surrounding communities is lasting and continues to delight the young and the young at heart.

Mural Designer, Jill Pratzon Mural Painter, Osiris Rain

Special thanks to our sponsors: City of Rock Hill • ChristmasVille • Come-See-Me • RHEDC Quality of Life Committee • Vernon Grant Family

A special thank you to the York County Library for allowing this amazing mural to be installed on their walls

Erected 2022.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Arts, Letters, Music. A significant historical year for this entry is 1932.

Location. 34°

Photographed by Mark Parker, September 25, 2025

2. A Tribute to Vernon Grant (1902-1990) Marker.

Looking along the covered sidewalk towards the front entrance of York County Library.

55.494′ N, 81° 1.702′ W. Marker is in Rock Hill, South Carolina, in York County. It can be reached from East Black Street east of Dave Lyle Boulevard (South Carolina Route 122), on the right when traveling east. The marker and mural are at the York County Library. To find the marker, take the covered sidewalk along the library front entrance to the brick post closest to East Black Street. The marker faces the front wall. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 138 E Black Street, Rock Hill SC 29730, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Midlands

and in the Olde English District. It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Old Town Fact (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Black Plantation / Hampton Campaign (about 400 feet away); a different marker also named Old Town Fact (about 400 feet away); The A. Friedheim & Bro. And Smith-Fewell Buildings (about 500 feet away); Jewish Merchants of Rock Hill / A. Friedheim & Bro. (about 500 feet away); From Mall To Main (about 500 feet away); The Dalton Building (about 500 feet away); McCrory's Civil Rights Sit-ins / "Friendship Nine" (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Rock Hill.

Full view of "The Whimsical World of Vernon Grant" Mural image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, September 25, 2025

3. Full view of "The Whimsical World of Vernon Grant" Mural

Snap! Crackle! Pop! characters created by Vernon Grant image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, September 25, 2025

4. Snap! Crackle! Pop! characters created by Vernon Grant

Caricature of Vernon Grant with Glen the Frog image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, September 25, 2025

5. Caricature of Vernon Grant with Glen the Frog

Glen the Frog is the official mascot of Come-See-Me Festival, an annual spring festival held in Rock Hill, SC since 1962.

Santa and his elves image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, September 25, 2025

6. Santa and his elves

A ChristmasVille scene using the characters drawn by Vernon Grant. Alluding to those characters and scenes, ChristmasVille has become an annual festival held in Rock Hill, SC in early December since 2006.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 2, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 27, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 63 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on September 27, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.