Building the town of Hershey
The town of Hershey
Milton Hershey then had a vision of his town. His vision was to have a self-reliant community, where the employees could live and be close to work, but somewhere they can play and have their families grow up in (Bozich, 2009). He wanted a model town in Derry Township with well constructed affordable homes, a quality public school system, and a variety of recreational and cultural options for his employees (Odesser-Trophy, 2006).
“Milton Hershey opened the world’s first modern chocolate factory and built the ‘model town’ for employees and their families so they have an attractive place to live, work, and play. In the end, he didn’t just build a factory in the town that bears his name-he built community.” (The Hershey Company)
“Milton Hershey opened the world’s first modern chocolate factory and built the ‘model town’ for employees and their families so they have an attractive place to live, work, and play. In the end, he didn’t just build a factory in the town that bears his name-he built community.” (The Hershey Company)
Original Merry-go-Round
Milton Hershey wanted a community for his employees that included comfortable homes and inexpensive transportation to and throughout the town. In his community he wanted to have the streets of homes lined with trees, single and two family brick homes with manicured lawns. Trolley cars and trains provided transportation to thousands of out-of-town visitors to go to the park (The Hershey Company). Soon things were starting to be built to make Milton’s vision come true. The Hershey Park, Community Center, and bank were all part of the "Great Building Campaign” that happened during the Great Depression (Bozich, 2009). Many of the town’s impressive looking buildings were built during the Great Building Campaign, which provided jobs for many people during the Great Depression. The Hotel Hershey, Community Theatre, Sports Arena, and Hershey Stadium were all built during this time (The Hershey Company).
The success Milton Hershey had as a business man was invested into the town to make the community grow. Public schools, churches, parks, golf courses, and a trolley system as a means of travel throughout the town were built so workers could choose where they wanted to live (Bozich, 2009). In 1906 the town, along with the post office was named Hershey. In 1908, the first actual amusement ride in the town was built in the center of the Park, the Merry-go-Round (Bozich, 2009). In 1907, the Hershey Amusement Park opened, with amusement rides, a swimming pool, and a ballroom (The Hershey Company). Milton Hershey opened Hershey Park to provide entertainment and a fun place for his employees and their families to enjoy (Bozich, 2009). The original appeal for Hersheypark was its simplicity. It was built to be the perfect spot for families to have picnics, to go boating, and canoeing with lots of trees and wooded groves (Hershey Entertainment & Resorts). In 1909, two bowling alleys, tennis courts, a large band shell, and a photo gallery were added. Along with a scenic railroad that offered rides throughout the park. In 1923, it was the community of Hershey’s 20th Anniversary and a new coaster, The Wild Cat, was added to the park along with a Ferris wheel. In 1945, the original carousel was replaced by the new one that is still in use today. In 1977, the SuperDooperLooper was the first steel looping roller coaster on the East Coast (Hershey Entertainment & Resorts). Hershey also created a zoo for his employees and families to be able to enjoy, called ZooAmerica. A Lebanon resident, Franz Zinner, brought a dozen prairie dogs to the zoo. ZooAmerica became one of the largest private collections in the country at the time. It housed deer, bears, angora, goats, prairie dogs, zebras, lioness, monkeys, owls, birds, Shetland ponies, buffaloes, pelicans, llamas, and elk in a variety of elements. In 1915, ZooAmerica was the largest zoo in Pennsylvania. In the 1930’s ZooAmerica underwent some expansions to house more animals. During World War II ZooAmerica was closed and reopened in 1950 (Bozich, 2009).
With the onset of World War I the European beet sugar used in the chocolate became scarce. Hershey began looking for a more dependable source. He began acquiring cane sugar plantations and constructing refineries in Cuba. The Cuban refineries included 60,000 acres of land, five mills, a 251 mile railroad and another school for orphaned children. After World War II the sugar refineries and railways were sold to the Cuban-Atlantic Sugar Company (The Hershey Company).
Milton Hershey did a lot for war and the soldiers who were fighting. During World War II the chocolate factory started producing a survival ration bar for military use. By the end of World War II, more than a billion Ration D bars had been produced. The Hershey Company earned five Navy “E” production awards. Part of the factory stopped producing chocolate and manufactured parts for the Navy’s antiaircraft guns (The Hershey Company).
The success Milton Hershey had as a business man was invested into the town to make the community grow. Public schools, churches, parks, golf courses, and a trolley system as a means of travel throughout the town were built so workers could choose where they wanted to live (Bozich, 2009). In 1906 the town, along with the post office was named Hershey. In 1908, the first actual amusement ride in the town was built in the center of the Park, the Merry-go-Round (Bozich, 2009). In 1907, the Hershey Amusement Park opened, with amusement rides, a swimming pool, and a ballroom (The Hershey Company). Milton Hershey opened Hershey Park to provide entertainment and a fun place for his employees and their families to enjoy (Bozich, 2009). The original appeal for Hersheypark was its simplicity. It was built to be the perfect spot for families to have picnics, to go boating, and canoeing with lots of trees and wooded groves (Hershey Entertainment & Resorts). In 1909, two bowling alleys, tennis courts, a large band shell, and a photo gallery were added. Along with a scenic railroad that offered rides throughout the park. In 1923, it was the community of Hershey’s 20th Anniversary and a new coaster, The Wild Cat, was added to the park along with a Ferris wheel. In 1945, the original carousel was replaced by the new one that is still in use today. In 1977, the SuperDooperLooper was the first steel looping roller coaster on the East Coast (Hershey Entertainment & Resorts). Hershey also created a zoo for his employees and families to be able to enjoy, called ZooAmerica. A Lebanon resident, Franz Zinner, brought a dozen prairie dogs to the zoo. ZooAmerica became one of the largest private collections in the country at the time. It housed deer, bears, angora, goats, prairie dogs, zebras, lioness, monkeys, owls, birds, Shetland ponies, buffaloes, pelicans, llamas, and elk in a variety of elements. In 1915, ZooAmerica was the largest zoo in Pennsylvania. In the 1930’s ZooAmerica underwent some expansions to house more animals. During World War II ZooAmerica was closed and reopened in 1950 (Bozich, 2009).
With the onset of World War I the European beet sugar used in the chocolate became scarce. Hershey began looking for a more dependable source. He began acquiring cane sugar plantations and constructing refineries in Cuba. The Cuban refineries included 60,000 acres of land, five mills, a 251 mile railroad and another school for orphaned children. After World War II the sugar refineries and railways were sold to the Cuban-Atlantic Sugar Company (The Hershey Company).
Milton Hershey did a lot for war and the soldiers who were fighting. During World War II the chocolate factory started producing a survival ration bar for military use. By the end of World War II, more than a billion Ration D bars had been produced. The Hershey Company earned five Navy “E” production awards. Part of the factory stopped producing chocolate and manufactured parts for the Navy’s antiaircraft guns (The Hershey Company).