Shotwell Manufacturing Company

1903–1952 Chicago, IL Great Lakes Fully Defunct
Candy BarPopcorn Candy
No image on file for this brand

History

One of Chicago's forgotten confectionery giants. Alfred Shotwell founded the company in 1903 after befriending Harry Eckstein of Cracker Jack fame, launching a rival candied popcorn line called Checkers in iconic red-and-white checkered boxes. In 1909, Shotwell introduced the first boxed candy with a secret prize inside — predating Cracker Jack's prize by years. In 1926, they produced the Red Grange Bar, named for the University of Illinois football star, making it the first athlete-endorsed candy bar in American history. The company was plagued by legal troubles including FTC actions, IRS investigations, and a black-market sugar scandal during WWII. Alfred Sr. died April 20, 1952; the company was sold to Chase Candy Co. five days later.

Products

  • Checkers (candied popcorn)
  • Red Grange Bar
  • Molly O
  • Suzanna
  • Puritan Marshmallows
  • Car-Load bar

Candy Pages

  • Checkers 1903–1926 · Popcorn Candy

    Candy-coated popcorn and peanuts packed in a distinctive red-and-white checkered box, with a small novelty prize hidden inside.

  • Red Grange Bar 1926–1952 · Candy Bar

    A chocolate-enrobed candy bar with a caramel-nougat center and peanuts, similar in format to Baby Ruth — and packed with collectible football cards featuring Red Grange.

Notable Firsts

  • First athlete-endorsed candy bar — Red Grange Bar, 1926
  • First boxed candy with a surprise prize inside — Checkers, 1909

What Happened

Sold to Chase Candy Co., April 1952

Sources

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