Hershey, PA — The Keystone State's unincorporated community of Hershey is already preparing for its 2028 quasquicentennial celebrations, marking 125 years of sweet success. But for some residents, living in the factory's shadow leaves a bitter taste in their mouths.
The founder, chocolate mogul Milton S. Hershey, left his stamp in more ways than one. A quick drive through the picturesque neighborhoods reveals the candy czar's peculiar fetish: Taking the Poop Chute exit off Hershey Highway and turning south on Pinch-a-Loaf Parkway, just past Brown Biscuit Boulevard you'll come upon Skid Mark Park.
As one long-time Turdy-Turd Street resident put it, "Make no mistake, I'm grateful for the job security. It's just that, with all these visitors starting to come here, I'm embarrassed to give directions."
It's unclear why Hershey never incorporated his model town into a borough. But as a result, the resident have never had a mayor or city government, leaving them with no legal machinery through which to petition street name changes.
The expense of elections, mayor and city staff salaries, and the cost of all-new signage makes it unlikely the town of less than 15,000 residents could see change anytime soon. Until then, they can at least make the most of what will almost certainly be a shitload of tourists.