Hershey’s Chocolate Was Invented At This Candy Company In Pennsylvania In The 1800s
By Beth Price-Williams|Published February 23, 2023
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Beth Price-Williams
Author
A professional writer for more than two decades, Beth has lived in nearly a dozen states – from Missouri and Virginia to Connecticut and Vermont – and Toronto, Canada. In addition to traveling extensively in the U.S. and the U.K., she has a BA in Journalism from Point Park University (PA), a MA in Holocaust & Genocide Studies from Stockton University (NJ), and a Master of Professional Writing from Chatham University (PA). A writer and editor for Only In Your State since 2016, Beth grew up in and currently lives outside of Pittsburgh and when she’s not writing or hanging out with her bunnies, budgies, and chinchilla, she and her daughter are out chasing waterfalls.
Pennsylvania is known as the snack food capital of the world, and for good reason. It is home to countless tasty treats made by local companies, from Snyder’s of Hanover to Herr’s. Whether or not you consider chocolate a snack – it’s perfect any time of the day or the night – it’s undoubtedly beloved the world over, and this small town in Pennsylvania is known as the home of one of the most popular chocolate brands in the country.
Invented in Pennsylvania in the 1800s, Hershey’s Chocolate has become a household name, satisfying sweet teeth around the country with its milk chocolate bars, chocolate kisses, and Kit Kats.
The Hershey story began more than a century ago when Milton S. Hershey, then the owner of the Lancaster Caramel Company, visited the 1893 Columbian Exposition in Chicago. It was there that his interest in chocolate was born.
Upon returning to Pennsylvania, Hershey began experimenting with making chocolate and by the next year, he founded the Hershey Chocolate Company. His goal, as would become well known in later years, was to make chocolate affordable for everyone.
However, it wasn’t until 1900 that Hershey Chocolate Company launched its first chocolate bar. Seven years later, the world would meet the delightful Hershey’s Chocolate Kisses. Each kiss was wrapped with a plume that was trademarked in 1921.
Over the years, the goodies would keep on coming. Hershey introduced Mr. Goodbar in 1925, Hershey’s Miniatures in 1939, and Peppermint Patties in 1975.
Hershey was so popular that it bought H.B. Reese Candy Company in 1963, Y&S Licorice (it made Twizzlers) in 1977, and Leaf Inc. in 1996. If Leaf Inc. doesn’t sound familiar, its candies probably do. It produced such favorites as Jolly Ranchers, Milk Duds, and Heath bars.
While Hershey’s popularity continued to soar over the decades, the town became a beloved tourist destination. Hersheypark, for example, opened for the first time on May 30, 1906, Memorial Day.
Today, visitors to Hershey have a full menu of attractions to visit – Hersheypark, Hershey Gardens, Hershey’s Chocolate World, and Zoo America. You can even tour Milton and Catherine Hershey’s High Point Mansion.
Did you know how Hershey’s Chocolate was invented in Pennsylvania? Have you been to Hershey? What did you think? Share your experience in the comments! Then start planning a visit to this small town in Pennsylvania.
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