Stauffers Mennonite Church is established. (Building in use until August 25, 1917)

Dauphin County is established.

Isaac Hershey purchases four tracts of land in Dauphin County.

Benjamin Moir opens a bakery on the corner of Duke and Brunswick Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia.  [Specific date is unknown. Event occurred in the year 1812.]

Isaac and Anna Hershey build the Homestead. [Specific date is unknown. Event occurred in the year 1826.]

Henry Hershey is born, the first of eight children, to Jacob and Nancy Hershey Hershey.

Veronica “Fanny” Snavely is born, the daughter of Abraham and Elizabeth Buckwalter Snavely.

The First Evangelical United Brethren Church is established in Derry Township. [Specific date is unknown. Event occurred in the year 1843.]

First Evangelical United Brethren (now United Methodist) Church erects its first church building on Park Avenue. [Specific date is unknown. Event occurred in the year 1843.]

Derry Church School is constructed. (Milton Hershey attends during 1863-1864 school year.) [Specific date is unknown. Event occurred in the year 1844.]

Fishburn United Brethren Church (now United Methodist) dedicates its first church building

Henry H. Hershey and Veronica “Fanny” B. Snavely, parents of Milton S. Hershey, are married. The marriage is performed in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The couple takes up residence in the Homestead, then owned by Jacob Hershey, Henry’s father.

Birthdate of Milton S. Hershey. He is born at the Homestead under the supervision of Dr. Thomas G. Fox, attending physician.

Henry Hershey purchases a home on East Derry Road, but sells it August 23, 1860.

Sarena Hershey, sister of Milton Hershey, born in Derry Township. Dies March 31, 1867.

Henry Hershey moves his family to a farm in Nine Points, Lancaster County, east of Lancaster City, Pennsylvania. [Specific date is unknown. Event occurred in the year 1866.]

Spring Creek Church of the Brethren congregation is established in Derry Township as an outgrowth of the Swatara Church of the Brethren (month approximate). A meeting house or "Love Feast" building (current sanctuary) is constructed adjacent to the cemetery. [Specific date is unknown. Event occurred in October 1868.]

Birth of Catherine Sweeney (wife of Milton Hershey). Died on March 25, 1915.

Milton Hershey ends his formal education and is apprenticed to Samuel Ernst, printer, in Gap, Pennsylvania. Ernst publishes and prints a German-English newspaper, Der Waffenlose Waechter (The Weaponless Watchman). [Specific date is unknown. Event occurred in September 1871.]

Milton Hershey is fired by Samuel Ernst. [Specific date is unknown. Event occurred in December 1871.]

Milton Hershey is apprenticed to Joseph R. Royer, Confectioner, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Royer’s Ice Cream Parlor and Garden is located at 50 and 52 West King Street. [Specific date is unknown. Event occurred in January 1872.]

Stoverdale United Methodist Church dedicates its new church building.

Milton Hershey establishes his first business venture manufacturing and selling candy at 935 Spring Garden Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. [Specific date is unknown. Event occurred in 1876.]

Birthdate of Harry Burnett Reese at Frosty Hill (York County), Pennsylvania.

William Lebkicher begins his long association with Milton Hershey. Mr. Lebkicher is employed as a bookkeeper and all-around man at the Spring Garden Street Shop. [Specific date is unknown. Event occurred in 1880.]

Milton Hershey moves his confectionery shop to 1217-25 Beech Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. [Specific date is unknown. Event occurred in 1881.]

Milton Hershey is granted his first patent for a candy display case.

Milton Hershey works at his trade in Chicago, Illinois. [Specific date is unknown. Event occurred in 1882.]

Milton Hershey begins his second business venture in New York City, New York. His business is located at 6th Avenue between 42nd and 43rd Streets, next door to the Hippodrome Theatre and Chinese Laundry. [Specific date is unknown. Event occurred in 1883.]

Milton Hershey returns to Church Street, Lancaster, Pennsylvania after financial difficulties in New York City, New York. He begins his third confectionery business which will be called the Lancaster Caramel Company. He manufactures caramels under the trademark "Crystal A" (Lotuses, Paradox, Coconut Ices). [Specific date is unknown. Event occurred in 1886.]

Fishburn United Brethren Church (now United Methodist) dedicates its second church building. Cornerstone was laid September 12, 1886

Milton Hershey purchases his first property in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. It is the building that houses his caramel factory on Church Street. [Specific date is unknown. Event occurred in 1891.]

John E. Snyder begins his association with M.S. Hershey. [Specific date is unknown. Event occurred in 1891.]

Milton Hershey purchases from Mary A. Bowers a residence at 222 South Queen Street, Lancaster

Milton Hershey establishes the Western Branch of the Lancaster Caramel Company in a factory located on Harrison Street, Chicago, Illinois. [Specific date is unknown. Event occurred in 1892.]

Milton Hershey attends the World’s Columbian-Exposition in Chicago, Illinois and purchases German chocolate making machinery which he sees on exhibit. The machinery was exhibited by J.M. Lehmann of Dresden, Germany. [Specific date is unknown. Event occurred in 1893.]

Hershey Chocolate Company begins producing baking chocolate, cocoa and sweet chocolate coatings for caramels.

Milton Hershey moves the Western Branch of the Lancaster Caramel Company to Bloomington, Illinois. (Factory is sold to Paul F. Beich Company in 1900) [Specific date is unknown. Event occurred in 1894.]

Milton Hershey submits application for the incorporation of the Lancaster Caramel Company. Hershey Chocolate Company is named as a subsidiary of the Caramel Company.

The Lancaster Caramel Company is incorporated. Hershey Chocolate Company is named as a subsidiary of the Caramel Company.

Milton Hershey’s aunt, Martha (Aunt Mattie) Snavely, dies. She provided M.S. Hershey financial and other help in his business ventures. (Born 1832)

William F.R. Murrie begins working for Hershey Chocolate Company. Coming from Weaver and Costello, a candy manufacturer in Pittsburgh. He began as a salesman, but is quickly assigned supervisory duties. [Specific date is unknown. Event occurred in 1895.]

Hershey Chocolate is sold commercially. (The date of earliest sales record.)

 Milton Hershey purchases the old Homestead farm from Levi Gingrich for $10,310.69 at public auction.  The deed is not recorded until April 1, 1897, due to Levi Gingrich’s financial entanglements.  The farm includes 65.568 acres.

The Homestead becomes the property of M.S. Hershey. It was purchased at a public sale for $10,310.69.

Henry Hershey returns from Colorado to live at the Homestead.[Specific date is unknown. Event occurred in 1898.]

M.S. Hershey and Catherine Sweeney are married in the rectory of St. Patrick’s Cathedral, New York City, New York. They reside at 222 South Queen Street, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

The trademark design, the Cocoa Bean Baby is adopted and used until 1968 when company reorganizes as Hershey Foods Corporation.

John E. Snyder begins negotiations for sale of Lancaster Caramel Company. He continues as chief counsel for M.S. Hershey and his business until his death in 1934. [Specific date is unknown. Event occurred in 1899.]

Hershey Chocolate Company begins marketing Hershey’s Milk Chocolate bars. [Specific date is unknown. Event occurred in 1900.]

Hershey Chocolate Company introduces the automobile to Lancaster, Pennsylvania for business purposes. The automobile is a Riker Electric.

Lancaster Caramel Company is sold for $1 million to the American Caramel Company. The sale is a combination of cash and stock. M.S. Hershey retains the chocolate manufacturing machinery and the right to manufacture chocolate.

Hershey Chocolate Company (Lancaster) reports chocolate sales of $622,000. [Specific date is unknown. Event occurred in 1901.]

Hershey Chocolate Company Soda Fountain and Candy Store opens at 1020 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  [Specific dates are unknown. The store opened in the year 1901 and closed in the year 1904.]

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)

M.S. Hershey purchases siding and quarry in Derry Church area.

Surveying crews begin work in Derry Church area.

A charter is granted to Hummelstown-Campbelltown Street Railway. It is incorporated as a company on March 13, 1913.

Ground is broken for chocolate factory on a six acre tract of land.

First telephone line is installed in Derry Church/Hershey. [Specific date is unknown. Event occurred in July 1903.]

Land is designated for future park [Hershey Park].

Surveys made for “Mansion” and adjacent area. Building contract for the “Mansion” signed July 13, 1905. Construction starts April 7, 1906.

The main pavilion for the Hershey Park is located on the hillside overlooking the Spring Creek. It is used for dancing and roller skating even before the park is officially opened. It cost $6200.00. [Specific date is unknown. Event occurred in 1904.]

Death of Henry Hershey (Born January 4, 1829).

Trolley has its first run between Hummelstown and Palmyra. Regular service begins on October 28, 1904.

Hershey Park Dance Hall, forerunner of the Ballroom, opens.[Specific date is unknown. Event occurred in 1905.]

"Cocoa House" is built on the Northeast corner of Chocolate and Cocoa Avenues. (One Chocolate Avenue). The first floor houses the Bank, Post Office and General Store. The second floor contains boarding rooms. [Specific date is unknown. Event occurred in 1905.]

McKinley School is built on the Southeast corner of Chocolate and Cocoa Avenues. (site of 14 East Chocolate Avenue). M.S. Hershey donates land and contributes $500 to the cost of construction.[Specific date is unknown. Event occurred in 1905.]

The Homestead serves as the residence for Milton and Catherine Hershey until High Point is completed in 1908. [Specific date is unknown. Event occurred in 1905.]

Hershey Trust Company is established. First Board of Directors is elected with M.S. Hershey as chairman.

Hershey Trust Company receives its charter.

Hershey Chocolate Factory building is completed. Chocolate manufacturing machinery is brought from Lancaster, Pennsylvania and installed. [Specific date is unknown. Event occurred in June 1905.]

Hershey Trust Company begins operations in offices located in the Cocoa House.

Hershey volunteer fire fighter respond to their first fire call to the William Murrie home on Chocolate Avenue

Hershey volunteer fire fighter respond to their second fire call to The Homestead.

Hershey Volunteer Fire Company is organized.

Hershey Park Theater opens. [Specific date is unknown. Event occurred in 1906.]

A stage with drop curtains is added to the Hershey Park pavilion so that it can be used as a theater. [Specific date is unknown. Event occurred in 1906.]

A grandstand and bleachers are built for the ballfield. [Specific date is unknown. Event occurred in 1906.]

Jacob Hummel of Hummelstown is engaged to organize a band for the town of Hershey. [Specific date is unknown. Event occurred in 1906, some time before May 30.]

Hershey Volunteer Fire Company moves into new building located on Chocolate Avenue between the Cocoa House and the Hershey Chocolate Factory.

Hershey Post Office, located in the Fire Company Building, delivers its first mail. Ezra Hershey is the first postmaster.

Hershey Park opens for its first official season on Memorial Day. The day is marked by a baseball game and a concert given by the Hershey Band.

Hershey Volunteer Fire Company purchases a Button Steam Engine

Derry Church Railroad Station closes

Hershey Volunteer Fire Company receives charter. The charter includes the names of the original 73 members, including Milton Hershey.

Hershey Chocolate Company begins manufacturing Hershey’s Kisses.

The main pavilion at Hershey Park is enclosed and enlarged so that it can be heated and used for the band practice during the winter.

Milton and Catherine Hershey move to High Point Mansion. [Specific date is unknown. Event occurred in 1908.]

Hershey Laundry opens for business. [Specific date is unknown. Event occurred in 1908.]

Hershey Chocolate Company begins manufacturing Almond Milk Chocolate bars. [Specific date is unknown. Event occurred in 1908.]

The first 9 hole golf course is opened. [Specific date is unknown. Event occurred in 1908.]

Tennis courts are added to the Hershey Park. [Specific date is unknown. Event occurred in 1908.]

Hershey Chocolate Company is incorporated in the State of Pennsylvania.

Hershey Park begins operation of a small, used merry-go-round and band organ from the Herschell Spillman Company.

A large multipurpose structure is built near the entrance to the park. The printing office occupies part of the first floor.

Hershey Park constructs its first Bandstand. It is a small rustic structure. [Specific date is unknown. Event occurred in 1909.]

A dance pavilion (ballroom) is built along the Spring Creek. [Specific date is unknown. Event occurred in 1909.]

The Hershey Park Amphitheatre is built. [Specific date is unknown. Event occurred in 1909.]