I remember as a child I loved Dum Dums suckers and even more, I enjoyed saving the wrappers so I could send them in for some great merchandise. From frisbees to t-shirts, there were so many exciting options. But did you know that these amazing candies are made in northwest Ohio? I set off for Bryan, Ohio to take a tour of the factory and learn more about the history of Spangler Candy Company.
Spangler Candy Company is a private confectioner making Dum Dum suckers, but the company didn’t start out selling confections when they purchased their company in 1906. Arthur G. Spangler purchased the Gold Leaf Baking Powder Company and moved the company to Bryan where they made baking powder, laundry starch, baking soda, corn starch and eventually cough syrup. They named their new endeavor, Spangler Manufacturing Company.
Ernest, Arthur’s brother, joined the company in 1908 and suggested that they make candy. By 1911, they were making “Cocoanut Balls” followed by cream peanut clusters which were both a success.
By 1913, they moved the company to its third location, the present day facility at 400 North Portland and in 1914 Omar joined the company which was now offering chocolates, hard candies, brittle, soda pop, assorted jellies, ice cream cones, sugar sticks and cough drops.
By 1922, Spangler Candy Company was making and selling over 60 different products.
With the tragic, unexpected death of Arthur in 1945, the company becomes a corporation.
By 1943, the company acquires the rights to Dum Dum pops, one of their best selling candies, starting with only seven flavors (lemon, lime, coconut, pineapple, cherry, grape and butterscotch).
Acquisitions continued until Spangler Candy Company broadens its portfolio to include candy canes, whistle pops, Saf-T-Pops and Circus Peanuts and its most recent acquisition of Necco wafers, Canada Mints and Bit-O-Honey.
Spangler Candy Company created a store and museum which they opened to the public in 2005. The celebrated their 100th anniversary in 2006. After grabbing a couple of samples, it was time for my behind-the-scenes tour on the Dum Dum trolley.
Boarding the trolley and wearing my protective hair net, I was ready to learn more about Spangler Candy Company. Unfortunately, the company does not permit photos of the production of their products, but Larry gave me a thorough tour to see where one of my favorite candies is manufactured.
Clearly the Dum Dum Original Pop is so popular that Spangler makes over 2 million of them each year. One single batch makes 12 – 14,000 Dum Dums and new pops are based on 400 different available flavors. So what is the Mystery flavor??? This is the combination of the flavor from the last batch and the that of the next batch as the production of one flavor to another runs continuously, mixing the two flavors together.
I was so thrilled to have toured this iconic confectionary and was excited to see the placards outside denoting the additional flavors and the year in which they were created. Can you guess which one is my favorite?
Which is your favorite Spangler candy? I would love to hear if you have toured this magnificent candy company and your thoughts about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below. Many thanks for reading about my experience at Spangler Candy Company and wishing you many Happy Travels!
What to See and What to Do:
Spangler Candy Company
400 North Portland Street
PO Box 71
Bryan, OH 43506
Telephone: 419 636 4221
Website: www.spanglercandy.com
Where to Stay:
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Bryan-Montpelier
13399 OH-15
Holiday City, OH 43543
Telephone: 419 485 0008
Website: www.colonialmanormotel.com
Where to Eat:
Four Seasons
233 South Main Street
Bryan, OH 43506
Telephone: 419 636 1818
Website: https://www.facebook.com/fourseasonsbryan/
Where to Drink:
Father John’s
301 W. Butler Street
Bryan, OH 43506
Telephone: 419 633 1313
Website: https://www.fatherjohnsmicrobrewery.com/
What to Read:
- A Sweet Century: The 100-Year History of Spangler Candy Company and the Spangler Family, Bryan, Ohio, by William L. Culbertson
