HISTORY OF THE KATHRYN BEICH BRAND & KATYDIDS
The Beich family manufactured iconic brands like Laffy Taffy, Whiz Bars, Katydid Peanut Clusters, and Golden Crumbles. Here’s how it all began.
According to a Chicago Tribune article, in order to be closer to the dairy farmers, in 1894 Paul F. Beich and business partner Oscar Buffe persuaded Milton Hershey to move his plant from the Lancaster Caramel Co. in Chicago. The plant was relocated 134 miles southwest to a vacant buggy factory at the corner of Front and Lumber Streets in Bloomington (pictured below).
In 1899 Beich and Buffe purchased the Lancaster Caramel Company from M.S. Hershey.
According to an article in The Pantagraph, the Bloomington, IL Newspaper, by about 1905, the two partners were gone and Beich was running the Paul F. Beich Candy Co. which soon had hundreds of employees.
Paul and his wife Catherine had 2 sons, Otto and Albert.
Below is an archived photo from The Pantagraph from 1949 picturing Paul and his son Otto.
Otto married Harriet Kiser and had 2 children: Paul and William.
William Beich became president of the company and married Katherine McNulta.
In 1952‚ Kathrerine McNulta-Beich suggested a program for clubs and churches to raise funds by selling the firm’s candies.
William and Katherine’s son David stated in 2003, “The company’s subsidiary Katherine A. Beich Co. became one of the nation’s oldest and largest fundraising supply businesses, with its products sold by schools, youth groups and sports leagues.”
Candy production at the iconic 4-story 170,000 square foot plant ended in 1973 when production moved to a new facility. The building was later used for storage and offices.
The company stayed in family until until 1984 when Paul’s grandson, William A. Beich retired, and sold it to Nestle USA after heading operations for almost 20 years. The name was then changed to Katherine Beich Inc., a Nestle Co.
According to an article in the Bloomington, IL based newspaper The Pantagraph, the manufacturing and fundraising units were split in 1999.
Nestle dropped the Beich name from the plant, but it remained as a brand for fundraising products.
In 2001, the Beich family donated the building to Mid Central Community Action, which originally planned to convert it into a social service center.
In 2002 Lincolnshire Equity Fund II, an investment fund, bought the Beich Fundraising company from Nestle.
In 2005, the westside factory was destroyed by fire shortly before a planned demolition, as pictured below.
Afterward, great-grandson David Beich wrote a letter in tribute stating, “The building refused to die by the wrecking ball, instead waiting for the right moment in time to display her glory and die a dignified death.”
In 2008, Kathryn Beich was sold to Great American Opportunities, and the Bloomington office was closed.
I hope you enjoyed this article on the history of the Kathryn Beich Candy Co. and their iconic brands.
I couldn’t find an accurate history on any one fundraising source, or even Wikipedia.
The long history and dedicated following demanded the research necessary to tell their story!
Please comment below on any fond memories you have of their candies, tin artwork, advertisements, plant, etc. Thanks!
KATYDIDS
Rated 5 out of 5 stars based on 9 reviews.
Shameerah B.1/26/2021 - GoogleThis fundraiser has helped me with paying for a year of karate. The candy is so so so good
- Crazy D.12/22/2020 - Google
I haven’t seen a katydid canister in over 20 years... I’m 36 now and my grandmother used to get them through her church fundraisers... I’ve... read moreI haven’t seen a katydid canister in over 20 years... I’m 36 now and my grandmother used to get them through her church fundraisers... I’ve had every turtle there is... And nothing makes my mouth water like the rich creamy chocolate and carmel with pecans that Katydids provide.... Mouth watering as I type and will be watering til my case arrives.... I even called my grandmother soon as I got off the line with Jason.... I promised her a canister.... But the rest of the box is mine Seriously ..... read less
- DA10/16/2020
These are really good. I have my chocolate urges every now and then and wanted to try these. Glad I did. If you’re thinking about... read moreThese are really good. I have my chocolate urges every now and then and wanted to try these. Glad I did. If you’re thinking about purchasing go ahead you won’t be disappointed except for when it’s all gone 😂 read less
- D. O.10/16/2020
These are wonderful candies. The chocolate is thin and not waxy. Just enough pecans and caramel.
- C. P.10/16/2020
Fresh and tastiest ever!
- Kelly10/16/2020
Third time buyer, I simply love these. Even in 90 degree weather, so well packed including dry ice packets.
- N. H.10/16/2020
This is the best chocolate pecan, cluster, turtle etc that I have ever had. I ordered it last week and didn’t anticipate it arriving for... read moreThis is the best chocolate pecan, cluster, turtle etc that I have ever had. I ordered it last week and didn’t anticipate it arriving for a week but these gems showed up on my doorstep and I am beyond pleased. It’s the perfect amount of chocolate, pecans and caramel. read less
- Dave10/16/2020
Absolutely delicious and at a great price!
- R. B.10/16/2020
These are wonderful candies. The chocolate is thin and not waxy. Just enough pecans and carmel. Will buy again!
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HISTORY OF THE KATHRYN BEICH BRAND & KATYDIDS
The Beich family manufactured iconic brands like Laffy Taffy, Whiz Bars, Katydid Peanut Clusters, and Golden Crumbles. Here’s how it all began.
According to a Chicago Tribune article, in order to be closer to the dairy farmers, in 1894 Paul F. Beich and business partner Oscar Buffe persuaded Milton Hershey to move his plant from the Lancaster Caramel Co. in Chicago. The plant was relocated 134 miles southwest to a vacant buggy factory at the corner of Front and Lumber Streets in Bloomington (pictured below).
In 1899 Beich and Buffe purchased the Lancaster Caramel Company from M.S. Hershey.
According to an article in The Pantagraph, the Bloomington, IL Newspaper, by about 1905, the two partners were gone and Beich was running the Paul F. Beich Candy Co. which soon had hundreds of employees.
Paul and his wife Catherine had 2 sons, Otto and Albert.
Below is an archived photo from The Pantagraph from 1949 picturing Paul and his son Otto.
Otto married Harriet Kiser and had 2 children: Paul and William.
William Beich became president of the company and married Katherine McNulta.
In 1952‚ Kathrerine McNulta-Beich suggested a program for clubs and churches to raise funds by selling the firm’s candies.
William and Katherine’s son David stated in 2003, “The company’s subsidiary Katherine A. Beich Co. became one of the nation’s oldest and largest fundraising supply businesses, with its products sold by schools, youth groups and sports leagues.”
Candy production at the iconic 4-story 170,000 square foot plant ended in 1973 when production moved to a new facility. The building was later used for storage and offices.
The company stayed in family until until 1984 when Paul’s grandson, William A. Beich retired, and sold it to Nestle USA after heading operations for almost 20 years. The name was then changed to Katherine Beich Inc., a Nestle Co.
According to an article in the Bloomington, IL based newspaper The Pantagraph, the manufacturing and fundraising units were split in 1999.
Nestle dropped the Beich name from the plant, but it remained as a brand for fundraising products.
In 2001, the Beich family donated the building to Mid Central Community Action, which originally planned to convert it into a social service center.
In 2002 Lincolnshire Equity Fund II, an investment fund, bought the Beich Fundraising company from Nestle.
In 2005, the westside factory was destroyed by fire shortly before a planned demolition, as pictured below.
Afterward, great-grandson David Beich wrote a letter in tribute stating, “The building refused to die by the wrecking ball, instead waiting for the right moment in time to display her glory and die a dignified death.”
In 2008, Kathryn Beich was sold to Great American Opportunities, and the Bloomington office was closed.
I hope you enjoyed this article on the history of the Kathryn Beich Candy Co. and their iconic brands.
I couldn’t find an accurate history on any one fundraising source, or even Wikipedia.
The long history and dedicated following demanded the research necessary to tell their story!
Please comment below on any fond memories you have of their candies, tin artwork, advertisements, plant, etc. Thanks!
KATYDIDS
Rated 5 out of 5 stars based on 9 reviews.
- Shameerah B.1/26/2021 - Google
This fundraiser has helped me with paying for a year of karate. The candy is so so so good
- Crazy D.12/22/2020 - Google
I haven’t seen a katydid canister in over 20 years... I’m 36 now and my grandmother used to get them through her church fundraisers... I’ve... read moreI haven’t seen a katydid canister in over 20 years... I’m 36 now and my grandmother used to get them through her church fundraisers... I’ve had every turtle there is... And nothing makes my mouth water like the rich creamy chocolate and carmel with pecans that Katydids provide.... Mouth watering as I type and will be watering til my case arrives.... I even called my grandmother soon as I got off the line with Jason.... I promised her a canister.... But the rest of the box is mine Seriously ..... read less
- DA10/16/2020
These are really good. I have my chocolate urges every now and then and wanted to try these. Glad I did. If you’re thinking about... read moreThese are really good. I have my chocolate urges every now and then and wanted to try these. Glad I did. If you’re thinking about purchasing go ahead you won’t be disappointed except for when it’s all gone 😂 read less
- D. O.10/16/2020
These are wonderful candies. The chocolate is thin and not waxy. Just enough pecans and caramel.
- C. P.10/16/2020
Fresh and tastiest ever!
- Kelly10/16/2020
Third time buyer, I simply love these. Even in 90 degree weather, so well packed including dry ice packets.
- N. H.10/16/2020
This is the best chocolate pecan, cluster, turtle etc that I have ever had. I ordered it last week and didn’t anticipate it arriving for... read moreThis is the best chocolate pecan, cluster, turtle etc that I have ever had. I ordered it last week and didn’t anticipate it arriving for a week but these gems showed up on my doorstep and I am beyond pleased. It’s the perfect amount of chocolate, pecans and caramel. read less
- Dave10/16/2020
Absolutely delicious and at a great price!
- R. B.10/16/2020
These are wonderful candies. The chocolate is thin and not waxy. Just enough pecans and carmel. Will buy again!