How was the Jolly Rancher invented?

The Jolly Rancher candy was created in 1949 by Bill and Dorothy Harmsen. The inspiration came from their family’s orchard in Golden, Colorado. The couple started making candy using the surplus fruit they grew on the farm.

During the Second World War, the Jolly Rancher was rationed due to sugar shortages, but production picked back up after the war ended.

In the 1950s, the Jolly Rancher was sold throughout the western United States. It wasn’t until the 70s and 80s that it became popular nationwide.

A Different Story of Origin

It is rumored that the Jolly Rancher was inspired by a cowboy with the same name. Some say that the candy’s original flavors were inspired by the cowboy’s adventures, such as Apple for his love of apples, Grape for his favorite purple wildflowers, and Cherry for his favorite horse, Cherry Pop.

However, the candy’s creator’s daughter, Jackie, has refuted this rumor. She said that the Jolly Rancher was named after their hometown of Golden, Colorado, which was nicknamed “the friendly town of the Rockies.”