Passengers can no longer travel entirely by trolley from Hershey to Lancaster. The Conestoga Traction Company converts service between Elizabethtown and Lancaster to busses (however, Hershey Transit Company maintains trolley service to Elizabethtown). [Exact date unknown. Event occurred in 1932.]
An addition containing an office, storage room, and machine shop, is made to the second Trolley Car Barn.
A new trolley waiting room, ticket office, and superintendent’s office for Hershey Transit Company opens on the first floor of the Hershey Fire Department. [Exact date unknown. Event occurred in February 1915.]
Construction begins on the trolley line to Highland Park on Pat’s Hill (later the location of the reservoirs and The Hotel Hershey, and Hershey Industrial School Senior Hall (now, Milton Hershey School Catherine Hall). Later this track will be referred to as the Hotel Division. It was intended as the beginning of the Jonestown-Fredericksburg Route […]
Construction begins on the West Car Barn. Robert Deichler oversees construction on the structure which is originally 95′ by 275′, with 5 bays — making it the largest of the trolley car barns, and the final one constructed. The second car barn is converted to a garage (and later to apartments before being razed).[Exact date […]
The original Trolley Car Barn is constructed alongside the original Hershey Chocolate Company factory buildings. It was designed by architect C. Emlen Urban and built by the engineering firm of Francis Bros. & Jellett, Inc. [Exact date unknown. Even occurred in 1904, prior to the first run of the trolley October 15, 1904.]
Trolley service between Campbelltown and Lebanon is discontinued at midnight.
The second Trolley Car Barn is constructed at the southwest corner of Java and Chocolate Avenues. Designed by C. Emlen Urban, it is 56′ by 180′ and has 3 bays, providing enough space for 12 cars. [Event occurred in 1909. Exact date unknown.]
Construction begins on the trolley line from Hockersville to Palmyra. [Exact date unknown. Event occurred in May 1904.]
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The Hummelstown & Campbelltown Street Railway is formed to provide trolley service to the area. Officers of the new company are Milton Hershey, John Snyder, and William “Lebbie” Lebkicher.
The Hummelstown & Campbelltown Street Railway trolley line is extended to Palmyra and connection with the Lebanon & Annville Street Railway is completed. [Exact date unknown. Event occurred in May 1905.]
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Trolleys begin running to Campbelltown. [Event occurred in January 1908. Exact date unknown.]
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The trolley line is extended to Lebanon.
Hershey Transit Company forms. The local surrounding trolley systems are merged into Hershey Transit Company.
The Hershey Company introduces Shaq-A-Licious XL Gummies in sneaker shapes — a new addition to Shaquille O’Neal’s popular Shaq-A-Licious XL Gummies line. The new lineup features three punchy flavors: mango (orange), lime (green) and strawberry (red).
The Hershey Company introduces Shaq-A-Licious XL Gummies, a new line of oversized gummy candies from basketball icon and entrepreneur Shaquille O’Neal. Shaq-A-Licious XL Gummies feature two exciting varieties: Shaq-A-Licious Original, with gummies that are molded after O’Neal’s face, and Shaq-A-Licious Sour, offered in three playful shapes and flavors that celebrate his storied career.
The Hershey Garage and Livery (or Stables) is reconstructed after being destroyed by fire. The new building is very similar to the original, but slightly larger and with a light-colored second floor exterior. It reopens as the Y.W.C.A. (Future home of Parkview Apartments.) [Exact date unknown, event occurred ca. 1912-1913.]
The Hershey Garage and Livery (or Stables) is constructed. (Future home of Y.W.C.A. and later Parkview Apartments.) [Exact date unknown, event occurred in 1908.]
The Hershey Company completes the acquisition of Lily’s, the high-growth maker of low-sugar, better-for-you (BFY) confectionery products, for a purchase price of $425 million.
The Hershey Company completes of its acquisition of Dot’s Pretzels, the owner of Dot’s Homestyle Pretzels, and Pretzels Inc., a leading manufacturer of pretzels in the United States. The combined purchase price was $1.2 billion.
The Hershey Company announces minority investments in emerging snacking businesses FULFIL Holdings Limited and Blue Stripes LLC. C7 Ventures, Hershey’s venture model, provides the company with new avenues for growth through the deployment of small capital investments in disruptive or emerging platforms focused on new occasions, new technologies and new go-to-market opportunities. FULFIL is a […]
The Hershey Company acquires ONE Brands, LLC, the maker of a line of low-sugar, high-protein nutrition bars for a purchase price of $397 million.
The Hershey Company acquires Pirate Brands from B&G Foods Inc. for $420 million. Products include Pirate’s Booty, Smart Puffs, and Original Tings. [Exact date unknown, event occurred in October 2018.]
The Hershey Insights Network (HIN) is launched. It is a virtual platform through which the category management and snacking leader can provide solutions to its retail partners to engage their shoppers and enhance their overall experience both in-store and online during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. HIN functions much like a television studio with its […]
The Hershey Company launched the Mobile Customer Insights Center (MCIC) as an extension of the GCIC (Global Customer Insights Center). The 53-foot, expandable tractor trailer takes Hershey’s shopper insights and expertise on the road to retail partners. [Exact date unknown. Event occurred in 2018.]
The Hershey Company opens the new Global Customer Insights Center (GCIC) at One Crystal A Drive. Wild Blue concepted and designed the GCIC, which brings to life Hershey’s thought leadership on shopper insight based category growth initiatives. Customer collaboration helps Hershey retail partners unlock growth through its unique shopper insights, industry trends, and the technology […]
The newly named “Hershey Bears” (previously known as the “Hershey B’ars”) play their first home game of the 1936-1937 season at the new Hershey Sports Arena against the New York Rovers. The season began with three away games. This is the first event held at the Arena.
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Hershey Bears turn professional when they are formerly admitted to the International-American Hockey League (now known as the American Hockey League or AHL).
John Lawn is named CEO of Hershey Entertainment & Resorts Company. John served as President since October 2016. Bill Simpson remains on as CEO Emeritus until his retirement in January 2018.
Derry Township dedicates the Court of Honor at ChocolateTown Square Park. This new court honors all six branches of the U.S. Armed Forces and includes stars for all Derry Township individuals and Milton Hershey School students who gave their lives in service to their country. Additional names will be assigned to stars as the township […]
Second smokestack of the Hershey Chocolate Company Power Plant is completed. The foundation was laid on September 12 and brick laying began on October 2.
New Hershey Chocolate Company Power Plant begins continuous operation. At this time, it has only one smokestack. [Exact date unknown. Event occurred in June 1921.]
Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning (CHS), a subsidiary of Milton Hershey School (MHS), celebrated the opening of its first Early Childhood Education Center in Hershey, Pennsylvania. CHS Hershey, serving 150 local children, will operate as a year-round non-residential facility. Located at the corner of Governor and Homestead Roads, groundbreaking took place November 10, 2021.
Milton Hershey School and the Hershey Trust Company received approval from the Orphans’ Court Division of the Dauphin County Court of Common Pleas to advance the holistic Early Childhood Education Initiative. The ECE Initiative will improve school readiness for economically disadvantaged and at-risk children from birth to age 5, while also providing support services to […]
The Hershey Company announces that it has donated the historic Hershey Theatre to The M.S. Hershey Foundation. The building has been condominiumized and Hershey Trust Company (on behalf of Milton Hershey School) has purchased the Community Building portion at 14 East Chocolate Avenue from The Hershey Company for $6.5 million.
Milton Hershey School (MHS) announces that Hershey Trust Company has purchased 14 East Chocolate Avenue from The Hershey Company for $6.5 million. The former Community Building will provide offices and meeting spaces for both MHS and Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning (CHS). In the future, it is anticipated that the Hershey and MHS Archives […]
Hershey Bears win their 12th Calder Cup Championship under the leadership of coach Todd Nelson. Goaltender Hunter Shepard was awarded the Jack A. Butterfield Trophy as the most valuable player of the 2023 Calder Cup Playoffs. The Bears now hold the AHL record for most Calder Cups won (12), and the most times in the […]
Hershey Community Archives is established. The M.S. Hershey Foundation hires archival consultant Richmond D. Williams to establish a community-wide archival program. Each of the Hershey Entities agrees to support the archival project and to appoint corporate representatives to serve on the Archives Task Force. Under the guidance of the Foundation, the Archives is charged with […]
The Tea House, located at 305 E. Chocolate Ave., closes. [Exact date unknown. Event occurred in 1982.]
Hershey Lumber Products is incorporated. Directors and shareholders are Ezra F. Hershey, D. Paul Witmer, and Charles F. Ziegler.
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The Hershey Lodge opened a new restaurant called “Stacks.” It uses the former Hershey plant smoke stacks in its logo. It replaces the Hershey Grill.
Hershey Entertainment & Resorts Company closes the Cocoa Beanery at Hershey’s West End (formerly 1215 Research Boulevard). The property is owned by Hershey Trust Company, and was the former Milton Hershey School Student Home Englewood. HE&R established the Cocoa Beanery at this location in 2008. New owners, Loto Station, LLC, currently operate the former MHS […]
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The Hershey Company acquires Amplify Snack Brands, Inc., makers of SkinnyPop popcorn, Paqui tortilla chips, Oatmega protein bars, and Tyrrells kettle-cooked potato chips. [Exact date unknown, event occurred in January 2018.]
The Hershey Company sells Krave all-natural jerky products back to the founder, Krave Pure Foods. [Exact date unknown, event occurred in 2020.]
The Hershey Company vacates the Corporate Administrative Center at 14 East Chocolate Ave. (Community Building). The Fitness Center remains open until approximately December 2016. [Exact date unknown. Event occurred in 2015.]
The Hershey Company unveils the new 800,000-square-foot fulfillment center in Annville. The Annville Fulfillment Center is located on 457 Killinger Road. The center is the first fully digitally-enabled facility, with real-time reporting, a digital production map, and sophisticated digital inspection and scanning capabilities to scale production.
The Hershey Story begins offering public tours of High Point mansion. The museum was able to provide tours for the first time ever because employees of Hershey Trust Company, for whom High Point serves as offices, worked remotely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. [First tours took place in November 2020.]
High Point Rose Garden is removed from Hershey Gardens. The growth of trees in the area provided too much shade for the roses to thrive. It is replaced with a new Native Plant Garden made possible by donations from the family of Marcus Sanford. With the removal of the High Point Rose Garden, the total […]
Milking by students at Milton Hershey School (formerly, Hershey Industrial School) ends. [Exact date unknown, event occurred in 1989.]
Milking by students at Hershey Industrial School (now, Milton Hershey School) begins. The first three farms included in the program were Gro-Mor, Brookside, and Meadow Brook. The program ended in 1989.
Cocoa Butter Extraction Plant, where cocoa butter was extracted and manufactured into Hershey Estates Cocoa Butter Soap, begins operations.
Hershey Canada, Inc. and the Canadian Niagara Entertainment Group open the Hershey Store in Niagara Falls, Canada. Located on Falls Avenue, near the Rainbow Bridge, the store is the first of its kind in North America. The store sells Hershey products, milkshakes, chocolate-dipped fruit, cookies, and a variety of souvenir items. The store also includes […]
Hershey Park adds a second water toboggan slide (“Shoot the Chutes”) to the swimming pool. The new slide incorporates a “hump” to cause the toboggans and their riders to fly up momentarily during their ride down to the pool. [Exact date is unknown. Event occurred before start of park season 1920].
Hershey Park adds a water toboggan slide, “Shoot the Chutes,” to the swimming pool. [Exact date is unknown. Event occurred before start of season, 1914].
Hershey Entertainment & Resorts Company breaks ground for “Hershey’s Chocolatetown,” an all-new region at Hersheypark where guests can play, eat, shop, and gather year round. Opening is scheduled for Summer 2020.
An experimental milk plant is constructed at The Homestead and milk condensing equipment is moved from Lancaster. (Date is approximate. Event happened sometime during 1901)
A Hershey-themed retail store opens in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada. The store is operated by Canadian Niagara Entertainment Group under a licensing agreement with Hershey Canada Inc., a division of Hershey Foods Corporation.
Hershey Chocolate Company introduces Hershey’s Liberty Bells. They are sold by weight and wrapped in red, white, and blue tin foil. Discontinued May 1922.
Spencer Carbery is named the 26th head coach of the Hershey Bears hockey club.
"Mini Scrambler" is unveiled at Hersheypark. This miniature version of the adult scrambler allows passengers to ride in spinning cars. [Specific date is unknown. Event occurred in 2002.]
"The Claw" pendulum ride opens at Hersheypark. This thrill ride reaches a height of 64 feet as passengers are swinging in the air. [Specific date is unknown. Event occurred in 2003.]
"Frontier Flyers" swing ride is unveiled at Hersheypark. This ride allows guests to feel as though they are flying while using the movable front fin. [Specific date is unknown. Event occurred in 2003.]
The Boardwalk at Hersheypark is opened. The Coastline Plunge is one of the five featured new water-based attractions. Attractions included in the Coastline Plunge are: Riptide, Surge, Vortex, and Whirlwind.
The Boardwalk at Hersheypark adds new water-filled attractions. The Coastline Plunge adds the Hydro and Pipeline. The Shoreline Spray ground is added as a new Boardwalk attraction. [Specific date is unknown. Event occurred in 2013.]
"Hershey Triple Tower" thrill ride opens at Hersheypark. This ride includes three separate towers: Hershey’s Tower (189 feet high), Reese’s Tower (131 feet high), and Hershey’s Kisses Tower (80 feet high). Passengers slowly ride to the top and wait to be dropped back to the surface. [Specific date is unknown. Event occurred in 2017.]
"Merry Derry Dip Fun Slides" children’s ride opens at Hersheypark. this ride provides guests with six fun-filled slides. [Specific date is unknown. Event occurred in 1998].
Hotel Hershey opens the Gardens Terrace Ballroom. This is a new addition to the Hotel. The room was created by enclosing the terrace on the northeast side of the Circular Dining Room. [Specific date is unknown. Event occurred in July 1968.]
The Cocoa Beanery opens at Hotel Hershey. [Specific date is unknown. Event occurred in August 1997.]
The Cocoa Beanery opens at Hershey Lodge. [Specific date is unknown. Event occurred in September 1998.]
Hershey’s Chocolate World modifies the Tour Ride. The "visitor" from outer space is removed as are the video monitors from the ride cars. The finale is enhanced with 40 video monitors showing people singing "There is nothing like the face of a kid. . ."
Hershey’s Chocolate World opens the Chocolate Town Cafe, its first sit-down restaurant.
Hershey’s Chocolate World opens its new Tour Ride. The tour ride features an updated historical exhibit on the upramp, tropical graphics, additional video monitors showing actual factory operations in the ride sets, and a multi-media finale.
Hershey’s Chocolate World launches its first website.
Hershey’s Chocolate World ‘s Hershey Cafe is remodeled and renamed Hershey’s Courtyard Food Court. The cafe features a la carte meals in a tropical oasis setting.
Hershey’s Chocolate World opens Kit Kat "Gimme a Break" Cafe in the second floor of the former Chocolate Town Cafe. The new cafe is part of the new attraction Hershey’s Factory Works.
Hershey’s Chocolate World opens Chocolate World Times Square in New York City.
Hershey’s Chocolate World opens Chocolate World Chicago on Michigan Avenue, Chicago, Illinois. (Closes January 2017.)
The relocated Chocolate World Times Square store opens. It is located at 20 Times Square, 701 Seventh Ave, New York City, New York. The new store offers a variety of experiences including personalizing Hershey’s chocolate bar wrappers, warm baked treats and chocolate beverages at Hershey’s Kitchens Bakery, or visit Hershey’s largest permanent s’mores experience.
Hershey Chocolate Corporation opens an exhibit in the new Skylon Tower in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada. Skylon Tower is owned by a private partnership, Niagara International Centre, and financed by Richard Reese, son of H. B. Reese Candy Company founder, Harry B. Reese.
The relocation of Park Boulevard is completed. The project included the construction of a new 126-foot bridge crossing over Spring Creek. [Event occured in October 2016.]
The Hershey Company introduces Sea Salt Caramel Baking Chips.
The Hershey Company announces the release of Hershey’s Cookie Layer Crunch bar in three flavors: caramel, vanilla creme, and mint.
Hershey’s Chocolate World welcomes its 100th millionth visitor. The Albert family from Pittsburgh becomes the Mayor of Chocolate World for the day.
The Iberian Lounge at The Hotel Hershey reopens after renovations. [Event occurred in February 2017.]
The Hershey Company names Michele Buck President and Chief Executive Officer.
The Hershey Company introduces Reese’s Crunchy Cookie Cups
The Hershey Company introduces new summer inspired candy flavors: Kit Kat Strawberry flavored candy, Hershey’s Kisses Coconut Almond flavored candies, PayDay BBQ flavored candy, Reese’s Honey Roasted flavored Peanut Butter Cups, Twizzlers Key Lime flavored twists, and Twizzlers Orange Cream Pop flavored twists.
Hotel Hershey opens the Milton Hershey Suite.
Hershey Foods Corporation debuts the film, “The Great American Chocolate Factory.”
"Moonwalk" bounce ride is unveiled at Hersheypark. This air-filled blow up bounce ride provided entertainment in the park until 2003. After the 2003 summer season, the ride was only present during Christmas Candylane and re-named Santa’s Castle. [Specific date is unkonwn. Event occured in 1996.]
"Fender Bender" bumper car ride is unveiled at Hersheypark. The 40 car ride allows takes rides on a 120-second ride allowing them to bump into other cars at speeds up to 15 miles per hour. This ride was introduced in 1978 and reorganized in 1997. [Specific date is unknown. Event occurred in 1997]
"Merry Derry Dip Fun Slides" ride is unveiled at Hersheypark. This six slide ride provides entertainment for children of all ages. [Specific date is unknown. Event occurred in 1999.]
"Chaos" rotating opens at Hersheypark. This ride rotates 18 individual cars as the entire ride spins in the air. Chaos is removed after the 2005 season. [Specific Date is unknown. Event occurred in 1999].
"Frog Hopper" children’s ride opens at Hersheypark. On this ride passengers experience a vertical lift up then a "hoppy" descent back down. [Specific date is unknown. Event occurred in 1999.]
"Music Express" ride opens at Hersheypark. This 20 two-passenger car ride rotates while on a sharply curved track while playing music. [Specific date is unknown. Event occurred in 1999].
"Western Chute-Out" water slide attraction opens at Hersheypark. This four slide ride allows passengers to slide down twisty tubes on rafts. The Western Chute-Out is removed after the 2007 season. [Specific date is unknown. Event occurred in 1999.]
"Crazy Climber" rope climbing attraction opens at Hersheypark. Allows for riders to climb to the top and drop safely back to the surface. The Crazy Climber is removed after the 2005 season. [Specific date is unknown. Event occurred in 2000.]
"Tiger’s Tail" inflatable crawl-through ride opens at Hersheypark. This ride allowed children to move through a fun and thrilling inflatable adventure. The Tiger’s Tail is removed after the 2007 season. [Specific date is unknown. Event occurred in 2000.]
"Mini Pirate" ship ride opens at Hersheypark. This is a miniature version of the adult Pirate Ship Ride. Guests are treated a swinging back and forth motion as the ride progresses. [Specific date unknown. Event occurred in 2002.]
The Hershey Company introduces Brookside Fruit & Nut Bars in three varieties: Cranberry with Blackberry Flavor; Cherry with Pomegranate Flavor; and Blueberry with Acai Flavor.