Search Results

RALPH FIORE A Hershey Detective in the Early 1900s. SECOND INSTALLMENT Marc Del Priore first contacted us in August of 2023, looking for information about his great grandfather, Ralph Fiore, who allegedly served as a police officer during the early days of the Hershey community. Marc visited HHC, launching early research efforts that proved fruitful and lead to a plethora of news articles chronicling the feats of his great grandfather between the years of 1915 and 1922. Early law enforcement efforts were vaguely familiar to us, but we had no idea of the scope of the success that this one individual attained. Marc provided census records and other documentary materials to substantiate his great grandfather's life in Hershey. Added to that material, Ralph's heroics are well documented in the news throughout his years in Hershey. Ralph's successful policing is first referenced in the Lebanon Daily News edition of December 3, 1915. Many successful exploits follow.

THE BEST THING I DID FOR KITTY Carole Hite Welch served as librarian for the Hershey Derry Township Historical Society from 2007 to 2020. The following article was her last written for the organization and was based on her unique connection to the Hersheys through her great grandmother. My great grandmother, Luise Zinner, wife of Franz Zinner who came to Hershey in 1910 to build the Zoo, lived with us until her death in 1949, at which time I was 14 years old. The stories she shared with me supplement the following account drawn primarily from the publications of Charles Castner in Milton Snavely Hershey: One of a Kind and Debra Wescott’s master thesis and biography of Kitty Hershey. Milton Hershey married Catherine Sweeney in 1898. Early into the marriage, Kitty Hershey demonstrated some physical weakness, allergies, hay fever, and asthma. Milton took her to multiple specialists in the United States and Europe—“…the best medical men of London, Berlin, Paris, and Vienna”—who told them that she was “showing evidence of a congenital nervous disorder.” In 1908, a doctor in Vienna told them that Kitty’s gross motor skills would continue to deteriorate and eventually her fine motor skills as well. He recommended that Milton hire a companion for her who could assist her as her mobility decreased, and recommended a woman by the name of Bertha Condoni. Bertha was a widow who lived in Vienna and worked with other women of similar circumstances in caring for people who could not live without assistance, also including some occasional work with young children. Bertha agreed to serve as Kitty’s “traveling companion,” an arrangement which Milton claimed later as “the best thing I ever did for Kitty.” Thereafter she traveled back and forth to Europe, packing and unpacking steamer trunks and hand luggage, as well as keeping them aware of special activities being celebrated throughout their travels because she was fluent in several languages – Austrian, Bavarian dialects from German, as well as French, Italian, and English. Later she accompanied them to Hot Springs in Arkansas, to the Colorado Rockies, and also to the New Hampshire highlands – places where Catherine could breathe more easily. On these travels within the United States, they also had a nurse/physical therapist with them. When the Hersheys returned to reside in Hershey, Bertha agreed to continue with them, and added Housekeeper of the Highpoint Mansion to her responsibilities. Subsequent to the founding of the Hershey Industrial School orphanage, Bertha also participated in periodic meetings with Kitty and Prudence Copenhaver, wife of the Headmaster of the orphanage, to discuss the educational and residential programs for the boys. Her suggestions were useful because of both her experience in Vienna with placements of young children and her Bavarian roots, as Bavaria fostered the Kindergarten movement. In 1910, Mr. Hershey brought Franz Zinner to Hershey to build the zoo, and Bertha became very close friends with his wife Luise, since they came from the same area in Europe. When the Hersheys were home, Luise was at the Mansion nearly every day, initially to visit with Bertha, but her activities increased to assisting when the Hersheys entertained, finding people in the community who could use various items of furniture, clothing, etc., being disposed of when new were bought, helping Bertha pack and unpack clothes and personal items, and eventually assisting Bertha in her care of Kitty as her physical condition deteriorated. Though initially Kitty was able to get out of bed by herself, later she needed assistance from Bertha, and ultimately, it took both Bertha and Luise to get her up and dressed. When the Hersheys entertained for dinner, before serving plates of food, Luise would cut items on Kitty’s dinner plate into pieces which were easy for her to manage with her decreasing motor skills. Kitty’s death in 1915 made living at the Mansion difficult for Milton, so he, Bertha, and Nora Stohler, who assisted Bertha in caring for the properties, moved to 246 East Caracas Avenue. In the 1920 Census, the occupants at 246 East Caracas were Milton S. Hershey, Bertha Condoni and Nora Stohler. Mr. Hershey had built the house for his mother, but she chose not to live there, preferring a more modest home across from the chocolate factory, leaving the “Green Gables” house vacant. Milton picked out items from the Mansion that he wanted – furniture, china, rugs, silver, and more – that were taken to the Green Gables. The three of them would go to the Mansion each day, have breakfast, after which Milton went to his office to work while Bertha and Nora did various housekeeping activities, returning to Caracas Avenue at lunch time. When Milton went to the office, he would take his dog Prince along in the car and the chauffeur would bring him back home to Bertha. Gradually Milton began spending more time at the Mansion, but Bertha remained in the Green Gables house. After Kitty’s death, Bertha had joined Holy Trinity Lutheran Church and participated in community events such as the Big Fair described in The Hershey Press of May 4, 1916, where she was an unnamed waitress in the “German Kitchen.” When Nora married and moved away, day workers assisted in the care of the two locations but did not live in the Caracas Avenue house. Milton, forever grateful for Bertha’s devotion to Kitty, allowed her to continue to live at Green Gables, and provided a young girl to assist her as she grew older. In 1934, the house became the permanent residence of W. Allen Hammond (Industrial School principal), his wife and two children. This arrangement allowed for Bertha and her assistant, Julia, to live on the third floor for about a year and a half. Mrs. Condoni was hospitalized several times during that period. Eventually, Bertha went to live her final two years with a niece in California, but she always kept in touch with Luise Zinner and what was happening in Hershey. Milton provided a fund to cover her expenses until her death. In an oral history by one of the first four Hershey Industrial School students, Nelson Wagner answered the question, “Were you to breakfast at Mr. Hershey’s home?” Nelson related, “Yes, we were at his home for breakfast and when he left we used to have the run of the Mansion. I always thought the carpet bounced when you walked on it. …We’d run all around the Mansion. He had a lady there that took charge of the Mansion and she saw that we didn’t get in trouble. I always enjoyed that.” That lady was Bertha Condoni. *****End Notes Milton Snavely Hershey: One of a Kind by Charles Schuyler Castner (1983, Derry Literary Guild). The Inspiration of Sweet Success: A Portrait of Catherine S. Hershey, Wife of Milton S. Hershey, masters thesis of Debra Wescott, graduate student at Penn State (May 1998). It Was Kitty’s Idea by Joseph A. Brechbill, (2004).

RALPH FIORE A Hershey Detective in the Early 1900s. THIRD INSTALLMENT Ralph's great grandson, Marc Del Priore, tells this about his great grandfather. "My great grandfather, Ralph Fiore, was an Italian immigrant who came to America for a new life. He eventually settled in the newly created town of Hershey, Pennsylvania. He became friends with Milton S. Hershey, who shared with Ralph his plan to create a town full of respect, family, and community. Mr. Hershey was a wonderful man and entrepreneur who loved to share and give back to his employees who worked in the town he built." Family lore claims Mr. Hershey asked Ralph to travel up and down the east coast to find other Italian Americans who would be interested in building the town of Hershey. Mr. Hershey knew that the Italians were very skilled craftsmen in working with stone and would be able to build a beautiful community. Mr. Hershey hired Ralph as a private detective and chief of police of the new town of Hershey. Ralph did an excellent job keeping the streets clean and safe for families and children. He not only watched over the town to make sure everyone was staying in line, but was also to make sure the people were having fun.

Rent space to hold your special event. Accommodates up to 100 guests. Beautiful location. Reasonable rates. Great facility for weddings, showers, family gatherings, and graduation parties. Facility Rentals Host your event at the Hershey History Center The one-of-a-kind setting known as The Barnyard, at the History Center’s adapted barn and museum, provides the ideal location and access to local attractions for small group gatherings and events. (Reasonably accommodates 85-100 guests, depending on what you have planned.) Whether you’re planning a wedding, business meeting, baby shower, bridal shower, or special gathering, The Barnyard offers the backdrop for a uniquely curated event. Contact us today to book or discuss hosting your event at the Hershey History Center. Hershey History Center members receive a discount. Ample outdoor space for up to 125 persons Indoor meeting space for up to 100 persons Seating for up to 85 List of experienced caterers and musicians available Centrally located in Hershey Request Information Please note: Submitting this form does not guarantee a requested date is reserved. Our coordinator will reach out to provide information and confirm availability . Email Name Phone Date(s) Requested Type of event and number of attendees Submit Request PLEASE NOTE: The Hershey History Center's facility rental is open to the public. Membership is NOT required.

Library and researcy services. Great resources for genealogy and local history researchers. Find links to data collections on deeds, newspapers, oral histories, photo archives, Library, obituaries, scrapbooks, artifacts, photo archive, and Reflections Newsletter articles. Library and Research Services OVER 50,000 DERRY TOWNSHIP & HERSHEY ARTIFACTS & RECORDS FOR YOUR RESEARCH A variety of resources are available to the public and researchers for genealogical and property documentation. These include church records, cemetery records, yearbooks, and general historical research related to Derry Township and Hershey. SELF-DIRECTED RESEARCH In our Library, independent research can be conducted by scheduling an appointment to visit. Please call 717-520-0748 during hours of operation or contact us by email at research@hersheyhistory.org so that a research assistant will be available to maximize the results of your research time. A dedicated laptop is available to use the HHC library. Basic computer skills will be necessary. There is no charge for visitors to use our Library or resources. Access depends on staff availability. Fee-based research : Sorry, this service is not currently available. Online research : Use the Research Resources listed below to view our collections. Want to view something in person? : Complete and submit a Retrieval Request Form for any artifacts you wish to look at in the museum. If you want to request more than three objects, please submit another form. Research Resources INSTRUCTIONS: Review the document Self-Guided Research to better understand the available research resources, how to search our collections, and the process for requesting further assistance with your research. PHOTO REQUESTS: To request a copy of a full size photo from the photo archive, or for assistance, send an email to photos@hersheyhistory.org . Please note that a charge will be applied for photos you order. Hershey History Center members receive a 25% discount on all orders. (Become a member .) TO VIEW ITEMS FROM THE COLLECTION: Hershey History Center does not have an on-site research assistant. We will require a little time to process your request. If you would like to view documents or objects in person, please submit a Retrieval Request Form. Somebody will be in touch to schedule an appointment. Thank you. Retrieval Request Form COLLECTIONS: Click a link on an image to view its "Listing". Deeds Maps Newspapers Oral History Family Files Obituaries Obituary images Scrapbooks HHC Library HHC Archives HHC Objects Photo Archive Reflections of the Past Index Reflections of the Past Articles Coming soon USEFUL GENEALOGY WEBSITES Cemetery Transcription Library Cyndi's List Ellis Island American Family Immigration History Center Family Search Dauphin County, Pennsylvania Genealogy FamilySearch Internet Genealogy Service Gen-Home Genealogy.com Historical Society of Dauphin County National Archives Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission PA residents can access Ancestry.com PA -Pennsylvania specific records for free Public Record Resource RootsWeb Click the logo for MyHeritage Library Edition. Log in with a Hershey Public Library card. Or, visit your local library's website (in PA) and search for e-Resources or Power Library to use your library card. If you do not have a library card, you may use an eCard number. Click the logo for Power Library to access PA Photos and Documents. Explore thousands of digitized documents and photographs from unique collections in institutions across Pennsylvania. No log in required. Hours of operation

The Hershey History Center is looking for volunteers with an interest in history, great attention to detail and who love to organize things. We have numerous projects in our archives. Tasks include arranging materials, looking for duplicates, rehousing items, searching our database and entering information. We are also ooking for volunteers to join our excellent reception team. Volunteer With Us Current Openings Do you have a passion for history and a talent for organization? Elevate your professional profile by volunteering with the Hershey History Center. We are seeking detail-oriented individuals with strong customer service skills and a proactive approach to project management. Posted February 2026. Collections Management Assistants We have numerous projects in our archives. Tasks include arranging materials, looking for duplicates, rehousing items, searching our database and entering information. You will work with our preservation team, and training and supervision will be given every step of the way. Hours are flexible. All we ask is that you are available to work a minimum of four hours per month during business hours, Monday to Friday 10am-4pm. Help us to make history happen here! Commitment Details : Hours are flexible and we are open to volunteers Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm. We kindly ask that you are available to work a minimum of four hours per month. Other Requirements: Commitment to see a project through. Willingness to learn. Ability to work independently but ask for help when needed. Volunteering for this position is on-site; therefore, you must be in or near Hershey, PA. If you are interested in this volunteer position, please send an email to: volunteers@hersheyhistory.org or call the Hershey History Center Monday, Wednesday, or Friday between the hours of 10am and 3pm to speak to a staff member, or leave a voice message and we will return your call. Reception Desk Volunteers We are looking for volunteers to join our excellent reception team to work Monday through Saturday, 10am-3pm, or half shifts (10am-12:30pm or 12:30pm-3pm). Tasks include greeting visitors, answering questions, alerting staff when someone is there to meet them; taking cash and card payments for museum entry and gift shop purchases; answering the telephone, taking messages; and keeping reception tidy and free of clutter. A friendly attitude, good organizational skills and the ability to multitask are essential. Training and supervision will be given and will take place Monday through Friday. Training is provided. Commitment Details : Hours are flexible. Monday through Saturday 10am-3pm (or half shifts if needed). Other Requirements: Reception training takes place on Monday through Friday. The amount required depends on when you feel ready to go solo! Volunteering for this position is on-site: therefore, you must be in or near Hershey, PA. Multiple shifts available: We are flexible. Half-day shifts are available. 10:00am to 3:00pm If you are interested in this volunteer position, please send an email to: volunteers@hersheyhistory.org or call the Hershey History Center Monday, Wednesday, or Friday between the hours of 10am and 3pm to speak to a staff member, or leave a voice message and we will return your call.

In collaboration with highly repurable tour agencies, Hershey History Center offers tours within the U.S., and international tours to places, such as Cuba and Colombia. Acerca de Tours Travel with the Hershey History Center Hershey History Center offers a guided tour to Cuba with Vive M á s Tours. Vive M á s Tours Vive Más Tours is one of the few U.S.-American small businesses that take travelers on trips to Cuba and Colombia. Based in Colorado and run by mother-daughter duo Jenny and Rachel Desmond, who offer small group tours designed with the active 55+ traveler in mind that are no-hassle, authentic, and So. Much. FUN. Perfect for solo travelers or couples, their small group tours are your entry to authentic local culture. From savoring delicious cuisine to enjoying lively rhythms, explore historical landmarks and hidden countryside gems while supporting small businesses. Visit Cuba. Coming in April 2027.

We the Italians “The Enclave that Helped Save the World” By: Lou Paioletti Located in south central Pennsylvania and incorporated in 1729, Derry Township is quite unique. It is often referred to as Hershey, PA, the unincorporated community founded within the township in 1903 by chocolate magnate and philanthropist Milton S. Hershey. An older unincorporated community also within the township, walking distance and next to Hershey, is Swatara Station, which was once an enclave of German, Scots Irish and, later, primarily Italian families, inhabited mainly by the proletariat who worked in the nearby quarries and factory and whose families were instrumental in building the famous company town. The Swatara Station community housed Pasquini’s Store, the local grocery store which is now a private residence. The Swatara Hotel, now an apartment building, still stands alone on the north side of the train tracks adjacent to the hauntingly abandoned and water-filled limestone quarries. The small and historic train station, the community’s namesake built in 1921 to replace the original station, remains quietly tucked away in a corner. While no longer active, it has been impeccably restored inside and out. Curry and Sons Mill has been totally restored and repurposed as a restaurant. The old station and mill have received preservation awards from the Hershey History Center, further solidifying their historical significance. There is also another prominent reminder of history — a war memorial, which is as beautiful and modest as the community it represents. During WW2, while the details of its origin are unclear, a wooden war memorial, named the Swatara Station WW2 Honor Roll, was erected in a vacant lot in the enclave. The last known photo of the structure contained the names of 84 men from 55 Swatara Station families, mostly from Italy, who served in WW2 as of1943. It is unknown exactly when the structure was removed and no photos exist with the 1944 - 1945 inductees’ names. Then, as reported on June 6, 1957, in the Hershey News, following the township’s Memorial Day ceremony in 1957, held at the Court of Honor which was located at the beautiful and iconic Hershey Community Building, residents attended the unveiling of a new war memorial, dedicated by The Men’s New Independent Italian Mutual Benefit Society of Swatara Station. Commonly known as the Hershey Italian Lodge, the Society was founded in 1920 and is still in operation today as the first and only ethnic club in the township. The new memorial was appropriately placed on very visible ground in Swatara Station, from which so many served in WW2, and is comprised of a Carrara marble statue of a soldier and rests on a limestone base containing the inscription, “IN COMMEMORATION OF THOSE WHO SERVED OUR COUNTRY.” Participating in the dedication ceremony were a concert band, American Legion, VFW, officials, a local radio personality and a more. Guest of honor was Major Thomas F. Martin, who was a military veteran and retired superintendent of the Pennsylvania State Police Training School located in the township. Master of ceremonies was Pete Camacci, president of the Hershey Italian Lodge. A former Swatara Station resident, Korean War veteran and five-time president of the Lodge during his 40 years on the board, Pete told the following story during my interview with him some years ago: “My dad was a member and an officer of the Hershey Italian Lodge for 43 years. The reason why the club is so special is because my dad fell off the scaffolding at the Hershey Ice Arena [Hershey Sports Arena], and every Saturday the club had a basket of food on our porch to help us out. This gesture got me thinking, so when I returned from the Navy, I joined the club. The first thing I did was in 1956 with the creation of the war memorial statue. Thanks to Major Martin from the Pennsylvania State Police who got us the land. In 1957 the statue came from Italy, and it cost less than $2,000, which we raised via community donations from local businesses. It’s been 60 years since it’s been in place, and thanks to Angelo Cialone and his son, John, for maintaining the grounds.” Angelo, who passed away in 2009, lived adjacent to the memorial and was its caretaker. His son John, a former US Marine, has selflessly taken on the responsibility to this day. 2025 marked the 68th anniversary of the war memorial, where the Hershey Italian Lodge has held a short and solemn Memorial Day ceremony each year since 1957. For decades, Divo DiClemente coordinated the ceremony, always preceded by a processional from the Lodge to the memorial. The “old guard,” now gone, would lead the two-block walk — Joe English, who still had mortar shrapnel in his leg from France, Dino Niccolini, who was nearly blinded by a landmine in Germany, and Donald DiClemente, the younger of the crew who served during the Occupation of Japan at the war’s end. Tom Memmi began assisting with the ceremony in the early 1990s. Divo, who passed away in 2012, made Memmi promise to keep the ceremony going each year and he has done so ever since, perfectly coordinating everything with local police, fire crew, Knights of Columbus, VFW, Legion, clergy, a bugler, and more. The 15-minute ceremony is simple: Presentation of Colors, invocation, remarks by the Lodge president, presentation of wreaths, Taps and benediction. Three wreaths are presented: One is for the local Italian Americans who gave their lives for their country, often presented by family of Pete Luciani of Swatara Station who was killed in 1942 when his destroyer was torpedoed and sunk in Guadalcanal. John Cialone has also assisted with the presentation of this wreath in recent years, with his mother Josephine, now 93, proudly watching from her front porch only a few hundred feet away. The second wreath is presented by family of Frank Wise of Swatara Station who was killed in 1943 when his plane crashed and exploded in Papua New Guinea. The third is for all township residents who gave their lives, presented by the American Legion and VFW. And in 2020, a special wreath was presented by Italian American Derry Township police officers in honor of Bronze Star recipient Bertero Bechini, who lived just blocks away. Serving in the US Army 10th Mountain Division, Bechini died 75 years prior on April 25, 1945, of wounds suffered in northern Italy and is buried in the Florence American Cemetery, just two hours from his ancestral village of Pitigliano. When I asked Pete Camacci, who passed away in 2024, what the annual Hershey Italian Lodge Memorial Day ceremony means to him, he replied without hesitation, “It’s my heart and soul.” In May of 2022, with the permission of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and the support of Derry Township, the Hershey Italian Lodge erected a new flagpole at the war memorial for the Italian flag, nicely flanking the memorial with the American flag. Notably, this is the only public land in the township on which another nation’s flag is flown, further emphasizing the history, heritage and contributions of that small but consequential neighborhood. The article was originally published by We the Italians on October 30, 2025, and is republished here with permission. War memorial with American and Italian flags at half staff, Memorial Day, 2022. Memorial Day ceremony, 2022. Phil Fratti, Sr., Hershey VFW Post 3502, and Ralph Zerbe, Hershey American Legion Post 386, presenting wreath at Memorial Day ceremony, circa early 1990s. Derry Township Memorial Day ceremony at Hershey Community Building, 1957. From the Hershey News, June 6, 1957. Two ladies, identity unknown, looking at the Swatara Station WWll Honor Roll. Date unknown. Swatara Station WWII Honor Roll with the names of 64 men from 55 families who served as of 1943. Photo circa 1943.

Join a team of volunteers to work on projects, help at events, and to manage the front desk. Volunteer With Us Join our volunteers Our organization is operated almost entirely by our volunteer staff, and we are so appreciative and thankful! Their incredible dedication, time, and talents to preserve and promote the history of Derry Township and Hershey deserve our recognition. Click here for current volunteer opportunities. Posted February 2026. Volunteers are a crucial and important part of HHC and we are always seeking individuals that are willing to work with the public, share their knowledge, their history, or put a skill to good use. To make general inquiries about volunteering, please send an email to: volunteers@hersheyhistory.org or complete the Application Form below if you are interested in learning more about volunteering with us. You may also call to speak to the Volunteer Coordinator at 717-520-0748 during our hours of operation, or leave a voice message and we will get back to you. Ways to Get Involved Museum volunteers : Help to keep the museum open and running smoothly each week working on reception, in the office, providing computer support, cleaning exhibits, building and grounds maintenance and more. Admin Volunteers : We have a variety of admin projects and positions, from a couple of hours a month to a couple of days a week. Good organization and basic computer skills are all you need! Training provided. As HHC grows, so do our administrative needs. Project volunteers : Work on specific short and long term projects, usually at the museum but some can be done remotely from home. Scanning photographs, inventorying archives materials, database entry, oral history interviews and historical research are some examples. Event volunteers: Work seasonally on in-house and external events such as our annual train show or Hershey Artfest. Volunteers help set up and clean up, greet visitors, register participants, direct traffic, stuff goody bags, make signs, to name a few. Seeking archives assistant interns and collections inventory interns: History, museum studies, education, business, marketing, digital communications, information technology, graphic design, photography, engineering and more. We are looking for motivated interns for mutually beneficial projects. Students will have opportunities to develop career readiness, apply their subject knowledge in a professional setting and make meaningful contributions to our nonprofit organization. Email the Volunteer Coordinator describing your subject area and what you hope to gain through an internship at the Hershey History Center. Volunteer Application Form Give us a hand & start making a difference First Name Last Name Email Phone Address A few words about you Next

History of the Hershey Sports and the birth of the Hershey Bears ice hockey team. Hershey Bears and the Sports Arena History The Concrete Colossus: Hershey Sports Arena and the Birth of the Bears The deep history of hockey in Hershey, Pennsylvania, began long before the iconic Hershey Bears took the ice. On February 18, 1931, the first formal hockey game was played in the modest Hershey Ice Palace between Villanova University and the Penn Athletic Club. The Ice Palace, with a seating capacity of around 1,500, quickly proved too small for the burgeoning interest, resulting in hundreds of fans being turned away at the door. This response caught the attention of town founder Milton S. Hershey, a staunch supporter of ice hockey. In 1932, Hershey founded the amateur Hershey Hockey Club, establishing the team initially known as the Hershey B'ars. Recognizing the need for a venue that could match the growing fan base, Hershey personally financed the Hershey Sports Arena in 1936. This was no ordinary construction project. Employing local workers, Mr. Hershey engaged D. Paul Witmer, his architect, and German design engineer Anton Tedesko, a pioneer in thin-shelled concrete structures, to bring the vision to life. When completed on December 19, 1936, the Hershey Sports Arena was a marvel, boasting the largest concrete structure in North America and a seating capacity of 7,200 people. This number was particularly staggering considering the town's population was barely half that size, a testament to Milton Hershey’s belief in the future of the sport. The team received a new home and a new identity to match. In the 1936-1937 season, the amateur Hershey B'ars became the professional Hershey Bears. Following the arena’s completion, the team stepped up in competition, officially joining the prestigious American Hockey League (AHL) for the 1938-1939 season. Their first game as AHL contenders was played on November 5, 1938, marking the true beginning of the Bears’ legendary run. For the next six decades, the Hershey Sports Arena served as the beloved home of the Bears, a hub for triumphs and continued growth. As of 2025, the Bears boast 13 Calder Cup victories, solidifying their status as the most successful franchise in the league's history. Beyond hockey, the colossal concrete edifice hosted an astonishing array of entertainment, ranging from the Ice Capades and the World Wrestling Federation to concerts featuring legends like Frank Sinatra, Liberace, and Metallica. The Sports Arena was a versatile anchor of the community, creating cherished memories for generations of residents who grew up attending Bears' games and major events there. The Bears played in the arena until 2002, when they moved next door to the larger, more modern Hershey Giant Center. However, the original Sports Arena remains a vibrant piece of the town's cultural heart. It still occasionally hosts the team’s practices, as well as youth and college hockey, ensuring the grand concrete monument continues its life as a testament to Milton Hershey's vision and the enduring power of sports in this unique Pennsylvania town.