The Genuine Bears This Signature, Part 2
Planning a model industrial town
Milton Hershey planned to build a model industrial town for the workers of his new chocolate factory. Prior to breaking ground for the factory, Milton Hershey had acquired over 1200 acres of land to build a new town. Streets were laid out and named for cacao growing regions.
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Caption: By 1903 Milton Hershey had acquired over 1200 acres of land for his factory and model town.
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Caption: On March 2, 1903 workers broke ground for Milton Hershey’s new chocolate factory.
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Caption: By 1910, Hershey was a well-planned community with space for housing, work and recreation.
Building a model town
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Caption: The first homes were built on Trinidad Avenue, located across the railroad tracks from the factory, ca. 1906-1907
Milton Hershey envisioned a community of attractive and comfortable homes for his workers. Some of the earliest house lots were purchased directly from Milton Hershey. Because not everyone wanted to build their own home, Hershey-built homes were available for rent and sale by the Hershey Improvement Company. Advertisements in the Hershey Press also encouraged people to buy lots and build their own homes.
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Caption: Land Deed: Milton Hershey and wife to Gabriel Trump, 3/21/1904 (Image courtesy of Neil Fasnacht)
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Caption: Newspaper ads encouraged people to own their own homes, Hershey Press, 9/23/1910