In 1904, 23-year old David Strickler sought to establish himself as a pharmacist when he wound up forging a culinary legacy. While working as an apprentice pharmacist at Tassell Pharmacy in Latrobe, PA, Strickler invented the banana split. This three-scoop wallop of a sundae was an instant hit and remains a beloved dessert over 100 years later.
We’re taking a look at this Pennsylvania food icon, a nostalgic, decadent sundae born, made and celebrated right here in the Keystone State.
Banana Split History
In the late 1800s and well into the next century, many pharmacies and drugstores had soda fountains, offering carbonated medicinal tonics along with milkshakes, sundaes and other ice cream treats. They became community hubs and gathering places, particularly through Prohibition and following decades, before the rise of fast-food restaurants and supermarket chains.
Strickler’s Drug Store circa 1955
It was during the emergence and early competition of this pharmacy-as-a-hangout culture that Strickler created the banana split sundae, one of many of his ice cream concoctions that drew in college students from nearby Saint Vincent College.
David “Doc” Strickler
The split consisted of a banana, sliced lengthwise and placed in a long dish, with a scoop each of vanilla, chocolate and strawberry ice cream. Each scoop was topped with a different sauce — pineapple, chocolate and strawberry — then sprinkled with nuts and crowned with whipped cream and a maraschino cherry. The massive treat was 10 cents, double the price of the other sundaes, but sold well, nonetheless.
Purveyors in other cities offered similar banana ice cream sundaes or splits, including in Wilmington, OH and Boston MA, but Stickler’s version is recognized by the National Ice Cream Retailers Association as the true original. In 2013, the U.S. Postal Service issued a banana split stamp, naming Latrobe in the stamp’s release. These days, the banana split is commemorated with a big celebration in Latrobe every summer, on or near National Banana Split Day on August 25.
The Great American Banana Split Celebration
Strickler achieved his career goals, buying the Tassell’s Pharmacy building and operating Strickler’s Drug Store there. Though the building no longer exists, there’s a plaque and gigantic banana split statue marking the site.
Every August, The Great American Banana Split Celebration is held in downtown Latrobe, with the split monument at its center. It’s a three-day party that kicks off with a blood drive and Yellow Tie Gala with everyone dressed in their banana-hued finest.
Day two, which is August 23 this year, starts with a 5K banana run and a car show, followed by a stacked lineup of live musical acts, family fun, demonstrations, and even a chance to meet Punxsutawney Phil.
For the competitive among us, there’s a Dole banana-eating contest with contestants consuming as many as they can within a time limit. A banana baking contest allows contestants of all ages to make and compete with banana baked goods. There’s also a cornhole tourney and a Banana Split Princess pageant.
Food options include eats spanning savory to sweet from vendors and local restaurants, and the over-21 area has beer, wine and libations from local purveyors.
Beloved Banana Splits Across PA
Hungry, yet? Let’s look at some special banana splits across the Commonwealth.
In the birthplace of the split, Latrobe, Valley Dairy & Restaurant serves up an all-American banana split and a miniature version for smaller appetites.
The Meadows Original Frozen Custard, with numerous locations throughout PA that include Greensburg in Western PA, offers a banana split that’s even bigger than the original, with two bananas and four scoops of custard.
In the northwestern parts of PA, you’ll find a great split at The Straw Hat Sundae Shop in North East, PA, made with Penn State Berkey Creamery Ice Cream, and a traditional banana split at Happi Jax in Union City.
Centrally, there’s Main Street Creamery in Wellsboro, which is a stop on the Scooped trail, with a banana split that locals love. A bit south of there, find splits at The Dairy Barn – Nittany Valley Creamery and 3B Ice Cream’s locations in Duncannon and Harrisburg, with soft or hand-dipped options.
On the eastern part of the state, Tasty Swirl in Daleville offers both a banana split and the epic “Pig’s Dinner,” which is two full banana splits. Annie’s Ice Cream in Jim Thorpe serves a split with crushed cherries on top. La Bamba Ice Cream and Snacks in Kennett Square offers a banana split with your choice of ice cream topped with fudge, whipped cream, chocolate syrup, sliced strawberries and sprinkles (or “jimmies” to some). It also has a churro split spin-off and chocolate-covered bananas available.
While dessert trends may come and go, it’s nice to see this Pennsylvania icon remain on ice cream parlor, shop and creamery menus over a century beyond its invention.
Are you a banana split enthusiast? We’d love to hear where you go to enjoy them. Let us know in the comments below, or join the conversation on PA Eats’ Facebook and Instagram pages!
- Feature photo: Jason Dobbins
- History photos: Latrobe Historical Society
- 5k photo: The Great American Banana Split Celebration
- Other photos: Bigstock
- Memorial, two young women and split with flag photos: Greater Latrobe Laurel Valley Chamber of Commerce
