It was then that monumental structures such as The Hotel Hershey, community center, theatre, sports arena and stadium were constructed, transforming the town into a major tourist attraction that continues to grow in popularity each year. Many of the town's impressive structures were built during the Great Depression, as part of Milton Hershey's 'Great Building Campaign,' to provide jobs. Soon, trolley cars and trains were bringing thousands of out-of-town visitors to the park. Amusement rides, a swimming pool, and a ballroom were added. He was concerned about providing adequate recreation and diversions, so he built a park that opened on May 30, 1906, and expanded rapidly over the next several years.

He wanted a 'real home town' with tree-lined streets, single- and two-family brick houses, and manicured lawns. Unlike other industrialists of his time, Hershey avoided building a faceless company town with row houses. He built a model town for his employees that included comfortable homes, an inexpensive public transportation system, a quality public school system and extensive recreational and cultural opportunities. Hershey envisioned a complete new community around his factory.

His ambitions were not limited to producing chocolate. With Milton Hershey's success came a profound sense of moral responsibility and benevolence. Hershey's milk chocolate quickly became the first nationally marketed product of its kind. The facility, completed in 1905, was designed to manufacture chocolate using the latest mass production techniques.

In 1903 he began construction on what was to become the world's largest chocolate manufacturing plant. Through trial and error he created his own formula for milk chocolate. There he could obtain the large supplies of fresh milk needed to perfect and produce fine milk chocolate.Įxcited by the potential of milk chocolate, which at that time was a Swiss luxury product, Milton Hershey determined to develop a formula for milk chocolate and market and sell it to the American public. Three years later, he returned to Derry Church to build a new factory. for $1 million in 1900 in order to concentrate exclusively on his chocolate business. He bought the equipment for his Lancaster plant and soon began producing a variety of chocolate creations. Hershey became fascinated with German chocolate-making machinery exhibited at the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition. It was that business which established him as a candy maker and set the stage for future accomplishments. Returning to Lancaster, PA in 1883, Hershey established the Lancaster Caramel Company, which quickly became an outstanding success. That initial effort failed as did his next two attempts in Chicago and New York. He only completed the fourth grade.įollowing a four-year apprenticeship with a Lancaster candy maker, he established his first candy making business in Philadelphia. Frequent family moves interrupted his schooling and left him with a limited education.

His mother raised him in the strict discipline of the Mennonite faith. Hersheyīorn Septemon a farm near Derry Church, a small Pennsylvania community, Milton Hershey was the only surviving child of Fannie and Henry Hershey. Hershey, was satisfied to let his accomplishments and products speak for themselves.įor more information about the history of Hershey, PA please visit the Hershey Community Archives website at. For generations, the name Hershey has been a household word synonymous with fine chocolate products throughout the country and around the world.

Noteworthy chocolates jobs