The Sweet Success of Hershey: A Chocolate Legacy Begins

The story of Hershey Chocolate is one of passion, persistence, and a belief that everyone should have access to delicious, high-quality chocolate. It all began with a young boy named Milton S. Hershey, who, despite many failures, never gave up on his dream of creating something sweet for the world.

From Humble Beginnings to a Chocolate Empire

Born in 1857 in rural Pennsylvania, Milton Hershey didn’t have an easy start in life. His family moved frequently, and he had little formal education. At 14, he became an apprentice to a candy maker in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where he learned the craft of confectionery. With this knowledge, he started his first candy business in 1876—but it failed.

Undeterred, Hershey tried again, opening another candy shop in New York. That venture also struggled, and after years of hardship, he was forced to close it. But Hershey was not one to quit. He returned to Lancaster and, in 1886, launched the Lancaster Caramel Company. This time, his business thrived. His secret? He used fresh milk to create smooth, creamy caramels that people couldn’t get enough of.

The Birth of Hershey Chocolate

While running his caramel business, Hershey discovered the growing popularity of chocolate in Europe. He became fascinated with the idea of making milk chocolate, which at the time was a luxury item only available to the wealthy. He was convinced he could bring it to the masses.

In 1893, he attended the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago, where he saw German chocolate-making machinery in action. Inspired, he purchased the equipment and began experimenting with milk chocolate production. By 1900, he sold the Lancaster Caramel Company for $1 million (a huge sum at the time) to focus entirely on chocolate.

That same year, Hershey Chocolate Company was born, and he launched the iconic Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Bar—an affordable treat that revolutionized the industry.

Building the Town of Hershey

Milton Hershey didn’t just want to build a company; he wanted to create a community. In 1903, he broke ground on a chocolate factory in rural Derry Church, Pennsylvania, where he had grown up. But he didn’t stop at the factory. He envisioned a town for his workers, complete with homes, schools, parks, and even an amusement park. That town became Hershey, Pennsylvania, known today as “The Sweetest Place on Earth.”

A Lasting Legacy

Milton Hershey’s success allowed him to give back in extraordinary ways. In 1909, he and his wife, Catherine, established the Hershey Industrial School (now the Milton Hershey School) for orphaned boys, ensuring that underprivileged children had access to education and a better future.

Today, Hershey’s Chocolate is one of the most recognizable brands in the world, producing everything from Hershey’s Kisses to Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. But the heart of the company remains true to Milton Hershey’s original vision: making chocolate accessible to all while giving back to the community.

From a struggling entrepreneur to the “Chocolate King,” Milton Hershey’s story is a testament to perseverance, innovation, and generosity. His dream of bringing affordable chocolate to the masses not only changed the confectionery industry but also left a lasting legacy of philanthropy and community.

And that’s the sweet story of how Hershey Chocolate came to be!