The Hershey's Founder Nearly Ended Up On The Titanic

One of the most popular chocolate brands in America is The Hershey Company, which was founded in 1894 in Derry Township, Pennsylvania, by Milton Hershey. It quickly became a favorite among U.S. consumers thanks to its smooth, creamy texture and distinctive flavor. It grew so big that its manufacturing facilities became an entire town. To ensure a steady milk supply for his chocolate, Hershey purchased dairy farms in the area and built a company town, Hershey, Pennsylvania, to house his employees and their families. The town included schools, parks, and other amenities, all paid for by the company and still exists today.

The Hershey Company is one of the largest and most well-known chocolate manufacturers in the world, and it produces a wide range of chocolate products, including Hershey's Milk Chocolate, Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, Kit Kats, and Twizzlers. But one near-miss on an ill-fated passenger liner could have changed all of that. Milton Hershey nearly ended up on the Titanic.

Hershey and his wife, Catherine, were vacationing in France and booked a ticket on the Titanic's maiden voyage to return home in the spring of 1912, according to the Hershey Community Archives. However, they canceled their plans just before the ship set sail, but the exact reason for this change is unclear. Some speculation is that Catherine, also called "Kitty," was ill, and that caused the couple to have to rebook their return trip to sail on the German liner, the Amerika.

Whatever the reason, the decision to cancel the trip proved to be a fortunate one. The Titanic famously struck an iceberg and sank on April 14, 1912, resulting in the deaths of more than 1,500 passengers and crew members. If Hershey had been on board, he may not have survived, and the Hershey Chocolate Company, and Hershey, Pennsylvania, may not be what they are today. In a really odd twist of events, the captain of the Amerika reportedly transmitted a message to the Titanic, warning them of two large icebergs on their course.

Prior to 1912, Hershey had established the original chocolate factory, opened Hershey Park and Hershey Zoo (now ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park), and he had created the Deed of Trust for the Milton Hershey School. After 1912, though, Hershey created many new attractions, particularly during the Great Depression. Hershey created buildings and other attractions, which kept 600 workers employed during a time of economic turmoil. Those buildings and attractions include a community building, the Hershey Theatre, The Hotel Hershey, Hershey Gardens, The Hershey Museum, Hersheypark Arena and Stadium, Hershey Country Club and Golf Course, and the Hershey Bears hockey team, just to name a few.

But his contributions didn't end there. Milton Hershey also established several schools and a college, and he created the Derry Township Public School Trust. This annual income assists with school funding and alleviates tax burdens on residents. All of these wonderful contributions made a significant impact on the community of Hershey. They solidified Hershey's as a big name in the chocolate world, and these things would not be here if Hershey had boarded the Titanic in 1912.