The "Living The American Dream: Part I" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Just got back from Lancaster's Central Market where I went to buy a dozen of Shady Maple Bakery's Long Johns to share with my daughter and her family when they arrive from Maryland tomorrow morning.  Shady Maple is one of my favorite bakeries, but Lancaster is, and has been for many years, known for the many types of sweets that are made in their bakeries.  One of the most popular, due to it's fantastic "Dewey buns," was Schlotzhauer Bakery.   All began in 1898, the same year that Admiral Dewey destroyed the Spanish fleet at Manilla Bay, that Harry Schlotzhauer invented the "Dewey bun."  In those days all donuts were round, so he rolled one to resemble a battleship and named it after Admiral Dewey.  Ah, Ha...The Dewey Bun was born!  Harry Schlotzhauer came to this country from Germany, a penniless immigrant who was only 15 year's old at the time.  Harry didn't believe in war, and in Germany, instead of giving you a schoolbook, they threw you a rifle.  So, in 1875, he set out on his own and ended up in the United States.  He landed on the shores of the United States, hopped on the first train and got off at the stop in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.  Before long he began working in a bakery under Charles Wingender as a baker's apprentice for $3 a week.  Knowing very little English, he took courses at the Lancaster Business College for $1.50 a week.  With little capital or equipment he opened his own retail bakery, known as the Saxony Bakery at 437 Green Street in 1898.  Eventually, in 1911 he changed the name of his bakery to the Schlotzhauer Baking Company.  

Harry Schlotzhauer

In the early days of his new business, he did all the baking and delivery himself.  He specialized primarily in bread at first, but did add cakes and buns to his selection of products.  He eventually began to show a profit and by 1923 he employed 75 people across six retail sores and a central bakery.  He had 10 delivery wagons pulled by horses as well as selling his well-known products at city markets.  And, his most well-known product was the Dewey Bun.  Harry was the type of boss you wanted to work for since he helped you find adequate housing if needed.  He also built about a dozen brick homes in Lancaster City, specifically for his workers.  

A post card of the Pennsylvania Hotel

Then in 1921 he opened the Pennsylvania Hotel in downtown Lancaster as another option for his help.  His family consisted of his wife Catherine and their sons Paul, Karl and Robert.  They first lived on Green Street, near his business, but eventually moved to the 900 block of Marietta Ave.  A few of his bakery offerings were known as "Best Yet", "Better Krust", and "King Midas."  And, there were different recipes for each one, instead of one basic batter, as evidenced by a large ledger which doubled as a recipe folder and finance keeper.  All of his bake shops were known for their cleanliness and product quality.  In December of 1919 Harry Schlotzhauer leased a building from businessman Frank McGrann on the southeast corner of Center Square which for many years was the home of Miller's Liquor Store.  He moved his bakery location in the Watt and Shand Building to the first floor of the McGrann Building.  The upper floors of the building were subletted.   As I was searching the Lancaster Newspaper archives I found an interesting story dated Monday, May 11, 1925.  The headline read: Harry Scholtzhaurer to Sail on "Republic" on First Trip in 28 Years.  It went on to say that after his 50-day trip through England, France, Italy, Switzerland and Belgium, he will go to Saxony, his birthplace where he will visit his parents and other relatives.  He was to return to Lancaster on October 15.  While he is gone his affairs here will be directed by his sons and employees of many years.  I did not find mention of his wife going with him on his trip.  Harry Schlotzhauer died from complications from gallstones in November of 1925 at the age of 49.  He is buried in Lancaster's Woodward Hill Cemetery.  Harry was a very influential businessman in the city of Lancaster and will be remembered for his bakeries and the Dewey Bun.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an oridnary guy.