America's First Animal Crackers Weren't Barnum's, And They're Still Sold Today - Tasting Table

"Animal crackers were first made in England in the mid-1800s and imported to the United States. Due to their popularity, in 1871, David F. Stauffer began producing them stateside in York, Pennsylvania at his eponymous bakery, D.F. Stauffer Biscuit Company (now called Stauffers). What started as a small family-owned bakery expanded to adjacent properties, eventually occupying several multi-story buildings."

"Crackers of all kinds used to be sold by the barrel full (that's what the name Cracker Barrel means). Retailers would sell the crackers by the pound. Stauffer delivered the crackers around town using a wheelbarrow, then using horse-drawn wagons, and eventually via railroad. Today, Stauffers still makes its classic animal crackers (available on Amazon)."

"Decades later, the National Biscuit Company (now Nabisco) launched circus-themed animal crackers named after P.T. Barnum, the founder of the Barnum & Bailey Circus. Nabisco packaged their animal crackers in the now-iconic boxes to be Christmas ornament. Within a month, the animal crackers sold out and Nabisco made them a permanent product."

Animal crackers were first made in England in the mid-1800s and imported to the United States. Their popularity led David F. Stauffer to begin producing them in 1871 in York, Pennsylvania at his bakery, D.F. Stauffer Biscuit Company, now called Stauffers. The business expanded from a small family operation into multiple multi-story buildings. Crackers were once sold by the barrel and retailers sold them by the pound, with delivery done by wheelbarrow, horse-drawn wagons, and later railroad. Stauffers still makes classic animal crackers in 13 animal shapes. Later, National Biscuit Company, now Nabisco, launched circus-themed animal crackers named after P.T. Barnum and packaged them in iconic boxes for Christmas, selling out quickly and becoming permanent.

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