top
  • Get Iola
bttm
Learn more about us:
bttm featured events
No Featured Events to Display
bttm featured explorers
bttmvisitors comments
the website is great. Love the history.
John Jones
Keller, TX
bttm
SE Kansas
Iola Explorations
Learn more about Iola by following the links below:

A Chocolate Lover's Paradise

Address: 1995 Marshmallow Lane
Iola, KS 66749
Telephone Number: 620.365.5590

Website: allencountyhistory.com/learn.html
Email Address: lauradaral@cox.net

About this Exploration:

Iola has had a rich chocolate and candy making history since the early 1900s.  The first candy company was located on the north side of the downtown square and was called Miller's Candy Company. 

Miller's produced candy in large quantities, but later when Sam Sifers bought into the company, he enlarged the production. It was after a mistake in the cooking that the marshmallow wasn't cooled correctly, and the runny marshmallow center became a new original candy called Valomilk

The candy company eventually moved to Kansas City, but the Allen County Historical Museum stocks the original Valomilk for the people who remember the tasty treats. (Valomilk candy is especially difficult to find now days!)
Incidentally, in later years, Earl Sifers owned the Iola Cubs Baseball team, which was a part of the old KOM (Kansas, Oklahoma and Missouri) Ball League.  
 
The Iola Register reported in March of 1948 that the Iola Cubs of the KOM Baseball league became the Iola Indians as a result of a contract signed by Earl Sifers, president of the Iola club, and the American League Cleveland Indians. The Iola team is now a farm club for the Cleveland team. You can find out more about the Chocolate Candy Company's ball team by visiting the Allen County Historical Society. 

 Also, in Iola's rich history of candy making, Russell Stover's Candies came to town in the 1990s, and they make all sorts of chocolates that can be purchased at their outlet store at discounted prices.

 Iola's Russell Stover's Outlet StoreIn 2014 Lindt & Spruengli AG, the world’s largest producer of premium chocolate, agreed to acquire Russell Stover Candies Inc. to become the third-biggest chocolate producer in North America. Although Russell Stover's has a new owner now, Iola has been assured that the candy factory and outlet store shall remain the same.  Come sample Iola's tasty treats!  Call to find out about when the "Iola Sweet Past" Trolley Tour might be running and you find out even more about Iola's magnitude of sweetness!

 
Allen County Historical Museum hours:
May-September Tuesday-Saturday 12:30-4 p.m.; October-May Tuesday-Saturday 2-4 p.m.
 
Russell Stover's Candies Outlet Store hours:
Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday 12-5 p.m.  Closed on major holidays.  620.364.5590.

contact info
Donna Houser
205 E. Madison Ave
Iola, KS 66749
Phone: 620.228.0439
 
 
bttm
Kansas Sampler Foundation   Kansas Department of Commerce - Travel Kansas   Get Rural Kansas