Palmer Candy Company: Iowa Time Machine August 11, 1924

Iowa Time Machine ⏰: On August 11, 1924, Charles Palmer, a pivotal figure behind the Palmer Candy Company, passed away. While the company’s origins trace back to Edward C. Palmer, who moved to Sioux City, Iowa, in 1878 and began a wholesale grocery business including candy and fruit, it was his sons, William and Charles Palmer, who helped transform the family enterprise into a thriving candy manufacturer. 

Palmer Candy Company’s evolution under the guidance of Charles and his family reflected early 20th-century trends in food manufacturing and distribution. Initially, candy was a sideline product sold in bulk alongside fresh fruit. By 1900, the company had moved into a modern four-story factory on Douglas Street in Sioux City, outfitted with cold storage and advanced candy-making equipment of its day. Charles Palmer managed the fruit portion of the company in a newly constructed building behind the main factory, maintaining the dual business focus while expanding production capacity.

In 1914, the Palmer family formally separated the fruit business from the candy business, incorporating Palmer Candy Company as a distinct entity, which was primarily operated by William and his son Edward Charles Palmer Sr. The candy company began to focus more intently on confectionery production, developing new products that would appeal to local and regional markets. By the 1920s, the company introduced the Bing candy bar, which would evolve into the celebrated Twin Bing, becoming a signature treat synonymous with Iowa’s regional identity.

Throughout the following decades, Palmer Candy Company continued to develop its product offerings and expand its market presence while maintaining family ownership. The company adapted to changing consumer tastes and economic conditions by acquiring other candy brands and operations, such as Soo Candy Company in 1941 and the Johnson Biscuit Candy division in 1956. These strategic decisions helped the Palmer Candy Company sustain itself as a regional favorite amidst competition from national giants while preserving its unique niche, exemplified by the handmade nature of its well-loved confections. #IowaOTD #IowaHistoryDaily #IowaHistoryCalendar