History of Dryden & Palmer Rock Candy
During the late 1800s, there were several rock candy companies in the US, including one formed in 1880 by the partnership of Charles Dryden
and Noah Palmer.
These companies supplied various forms of crystals and
syrups as cough-cold remedies, soda fountain syrups, and delicious
confections. In addition, vast amounts were used in saloons. Every bar
had its own creation of “Rock & Rye” (rock candy dissolved in rye
whiskey) to cure their patrons’ colds—or at
least to make them forget they had a cold in the first place!
Many different factors caused the rock candy industry
to change. Both prescription and over-the-counter medicines using
active ingredients became more common in the early 1900s. But the
biggest effect on the industry was Prohibition. During this time
the rock candy industry failed, as it had become too dependent on sales
to bars and saloons.
More changes kept coming, however. The syrup business
that was a big part of the company at the end of the 19th century is
almost entirely gone, as soda manufacturers switched to cheaper corn
syrups. Rising to the challenge, Dryden &
Palmer introduced rock candy on a stick in the 1960s, then flavored and
colored the sugar sticks in the 1970s.
Mr. Dryden and Mr. Palmer would be astonished to see
the different flavors, colors, and forms of rock candy produced by their company
today, but they would recognize the tradition of quality and
service carried forward from their time.
