Candy

Whitman's Retail Store, 1316 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA (1894).

Transcription:

John Weber: I'm John Weber, and this is your WHYY Philly Phun Phact. Did you know that at one time Philadelphia was considered to be the candy-making capital of America?

Jim Murphy: It all started with the sugar trade that was coming in through the Port of Philadelphia. In the 1800s, as molasses became plentiful during the Industrial Revolution, mechanized refineries sprang up all along the Delaware River.

John Weber: That's Philly tour guide Jim Murphy, author of Real Philly History, Real Fast, who says that led to some big name candy makers in Philly, including Wilbur Candy and Whitman's, which was famous for their yellow boxes and assorted chocolates.

Jim Murphy: And don't forget Good & Plenty, which was made by the Quaker City Chocolate Company at the corner of Germantown and Susquehanna Avenues in North Philadelphia. And Goldenberg's Peanut Chews, made at the Goldenberg Candy Company in Kensington, and later at West Wyoming Street in Feltonville.

John Weber: I'm John Weber, and that's your WHYY Philly Phun Phact.