West Poplar in Philadelphia in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Hershey’s First Candy Store

Photographed By Don Morfe, April 15, 2015

1. Hershey's First Candy Store Marker

Inscription. Milton Snavely Hershey opened his first candy business here on June 1, 1876, at eighteen years of age. The confectionery shop produced and sold candies, nuts, and baked goods. Although initially successful, credit issues led to its closure. Undeterred, Hershey founded the Lancaster Caramel Co. in 1886, which became extremely profitable. Established as a subsidiary of that company, the Hershey Chocolate Co. achieved international success.

Erected 2009 by Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission series list. A significant historical date for this entry is June 1, 1876.

Location. 39° 57.705′ N, 75° 9.252′ W. Marker is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia County. It is in West Poplar. Marker is on Spring Garden Street just east of North 10th Street, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 935 Spring Garden Street, Philadelphia PA 19123, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Poes in Philadelphia (approx. ¼ mile away); Edgar Allen Poe National Historic Site (approx. ¼ mile away); The German Society of Pennsylvania (approx. ¼ mile away);

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Philadelphia Arts (approx. ¼ mile away); James Anderson (approx. ¼ mile away); Walnut Street (approx. ¼ mile away); a different marker also named Philadelphia Arts (approx. ¼ mile away); Rail Park (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Philadelphia.

Also see . . . Milton Snavely Hershey - Wikipedia. “On May 25, 1898, Hershey married Catherine Sweeney. ... Since the couple could not have children, they decided to help others, establishing the Hershey Industrial School with a Deed of Trust in 1909. ... In 1918, Hershey transferred the majority of his assets, including control of the company, to the Milton Hershey School Trust fund, to benefit the Industrial School. The trust fund has a majority of voting shares in the Hershey Company, allowing it to keep control of the company. In 1951, the school was renamed the Milton Hershey School. The Milton Hershey School Trust also has 100% control of Hershey Entertainment and Resorts Company, which owns the Hotel Hershey and Hersheypark, among other properties. He took great pride in the growth of the school, the town,

Photographed By Don Morfe, April 15, 2015

2. Hershey's First Candy Store Marker

and his business. He placed the quality of his product and the well-being of his workers ahead of profits. ... The Hershey Company has continued his philanthropic ways.” (Submitted on April 30, 2015, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.)

Milton S. Hershey (1857–1945) image. Click for full size.

Hershey Community Archives via Wikipedia Commons, 1905

3. Milton S. Hershey (1857–1945)

Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 23, 2015, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,654 times since then and 207 times this year. It was the Marker of the Week June 3, 2018. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 23, 2015, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. 3. submitted on June 2, 2018, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.