Sweet Home, Chicago: How immigrants shaped the city through sweets

By Cianna Greaves
Baby Ruth Candy
Otto Schnering, founder and president of Curtiss Candy Company, donated 10,000 Baby Ruth candy bars to Marines fighting as a South Pacific outpost. Representing Mr. Schnering, William C. Moller (left), treasurer of Curtiss Candy Company, presented the candy to Lt. Col. G. McGuire Pierce (center), commanding officer of the Marine Provisional Battalion, Dec. 11, 1944. Associated Press
Baby Ruth Candy
Otto Schnering, founder and president of Curtiss Candy Company, donated 10,000 Baby Ruth candy bars to Marines fighting as a South Pacific outpost. Representing Mr. Schnering, William C. Moller (left), treasurer of Curtiss Candy Company, presented the candy to Lt. Col. G. McGuire Pierce (center), commanding officer of the Marine Provisional Battalion, Dec. 11, 1944. Associated Press

Sweet Home, Chicago: How immigrants shaped the city through sweets

By Cianna Greaves
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Chicago is a city with a serious sweet tooth. For much of the 20th century, it was considered the candy-making capital of the world, with famous brands like Cracker Jack, Mars/M&Ms, and Tootsie Rolls making their confections in the city. From the Wrigley Building to the Palmer House Hotel, symbols of Chicago’s candy-making heyday are visible across the city. Urban historian Shermann “Dilla” Thomas and WBEZ host Lisa Labuz look back at the city’s rich candy-making history.