Cora Sees Production of Shredded Wheat – Niagara Falls, 1927

The story of many breakfast cereals begins in the late 19th century as part of a broad health movement.

Henry Perky patented machinery for “Shredding wheat” that he displayed at Chicago’s Columbia Exposition in 1893.

The process for making the unique pillow-shaped biscuit was perfected.

John Kellogg, who had founded a health food company and school in Battle Creek, Michigan, offered to buy the patent, but could not meet Perky’s demands.

Soon thereafter, Kellogg began production of “corn flakes”.

Initially, shredded wheat was sold by the Natural Food Company, but the manufacturing plant in Niagara Falls, NY became The Shredded Wheat Company in 1905.

The plant, located near the Falls to take advantage of ample electricity, was built to accommodate tours.

The many visitors to the natural wonder were invited to tour the factory making shredded wheat.

In August of 1927, Cora visited the Shredded wheat production plant and was given a souvenir postcard.

(These postcard souvenirs were saved by thousands of visitors – I have three examples.)

Cora mailed the postcard to her friend, Mrs. Walter Heald, of Woburn, Mass.

(Woburn is an old city in eastern Massachusetts, nine miles north of Boston.)

Mrs. Heald, addressed as “Sue”, seems to have visited Niagara Falls sometime in the past.

Cora reports the visitors “have seen a lot today”, and “have learned how to make shredded wheat”.

Within a year of Cora’s visit, the shredded wheat company was purchased by the National Biscuit Company (Nabisco) and advertisement of the cereal reached all parts of the US.

(The production, sales, and consumption of Shredded Wheat became international – there were large production plants in Great Britain, e.g.)

Cora must have enjoyed her adventure in Niagara Falls as her souvenir has survived for nearly a century.