On This Day In History
On August 10, 1900, Milton Hershey sold his Lancaster City-based American Caramel Company for $1 million ($36,391,785 in 2024) as he shifted his focus to producing chocolate products.
Overview
Although apartment complexes now occupy the western end of the 300 block of Howard Avenue, manufacturing buildings belonging to Milton Hershey’s Lancaster Caramel Company once dominated the area.
Founded in 1886, this was Hershey’s first successful candy enterprise. The factory extended 301 feet along Church Street and 207 feet back to Howard Avenue, containing 450,000 feet of interior floor space. Various structures along the north side of Howard Avenue housed such functions as the Cream Room, Chocolate Department, Cocoanut Room, and Paste Board Box Manufacturing Room.
On the south side, extending to Locust Street, the company stored its wagons in large sheds. On August 10, 1900, Hershey sold the business to the American Caramel Company for $1 million as he shifted his focus to producing chocolate products. He did, however, retain the rights to the Hershey Chocolate Company.
Adventure Awaits!
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1864 Map of the City of Lancaster, PennsylvaniaPrice range: $21.99 through $25.99