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Private company

Walter Baker & Company

American producer of chocolate

The Baker Chocolate Company was an American company that produced chocolate, headquartered in Dorchester neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts. It was the first company to produce chocolate in the country.2 It was founded by James Baker and John Hannon.1 Wikipedia text CC BY-SA 4.0

Last updated Oct 21, 2026.

Overview

Mar 8, 1765Founded1
  • Industryfood industry1

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Cocoa and chocolate, a short history of their production and use (1907) (20473735050)
Photo: Walter Baker & Company; Bugbee, James M. (James McKellar), 1837-1913, No restrictions, via Wikimedia Commons3

The Baker Chocolate Company was an American company that produced chocolate, headquartered in Dorchester neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts. It was the first company to produce chocolate in the country.2

The story

Founded by James Baker and John Hannon on Mar 8, 1765.1

Leadership

Who has led Walter Baker & Company, and when. Pick a name to see everywhere that person has worked.

Products and brands

  • chocolate

Listed on Wikidata.1

Subsidiaries and ownership

Former owners and parents

  • James Baker 1780 to 1804
  • Walter Baker 1818 to 1852
  • Sidney B. Williams 1852 to 1854
  • Henry Lillie Pierce 1884 to 1895

From Wikidata.1

Former names

  • Baker Chocolate Company1780 to 18271
  • Hannon's Best Chocolate1765 to 17791

Timeline

  1. 1884Acquired Acquired by Henry Lillie Pierce1
  2. 1852Acquired Acquired by Sidney B. Williams1
  3. 1827Renamed Name changed to Walter Baker & Company1
  4. 1818Acquired Acquired by Walter Baker1
  5. 1804Acquired Acquired by Edmund Baker1
  6. 1780Renamed Name changed to Baker Chocolate Company1
  7. 1780Acquired Acquired by James Baker1
  8. Mar 8, 1765Founded Founded1

Sources

The numbers on this page point here. Each one links to the record it came from.

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