- This event has passed.
Chicago’s Sweet Candy History
November 22, 2025 @ 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Free
Sweet Candy History
For most of its history, Chicago produced one-third of the nation’s candy. You probably know some of the candies made or invented here: Snickers and Milky Way bars, Wrigley’s gum, Cracker Jack, Baby Ruth and Butterfinger, Tootsie Rolls, Frango Mints, and more!. Learn the history of these tasty treats and explore what made Chicago such an ideal location for candymakers. Find out why immigrants played a critical role in confectionery history, discover how Baby Ruth and Milk Duds got their names, and take a fun “candy quiz.” It’s delicious fun.
Join Leslie Goddard, author of “Chicago’s Sweet Candy History”, at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 22 at Hoosier Grove Museum, 700 W. Irving Park Rd., for a FREE illustrated lecture about some of the most popular candies created and crafted right here in Chicago.
Here are just some of the candies she will be discussing. How many have you tried?
Baby Ruth
Butterfinger
Snickers
Milky Way
3 Musketeers
Ferrara Pan Candies (Lemonheads, Red Hots, Atomic Fireballs, Jaw Busters, etc.)
Blommer chocolates
Oh Henry!
Whoppers
Milk Duds
Jelly Bellies
Frango Mints
Wrigley’s gum
Cracker Jack
Brach’s candies (starlight mints, toffee royals, jelly nougats, etc.)
World’s Finest Chocolates
Willie Wonka candies
DeMet’s turtles
Tootsie Rolls
Fannie May candies
Andes mints
