Baker (Walter) Chocolate Company begins operation.

[1780-Dath] Founded by Dr. James Baker, it is located in Dorchester Lower Mills. The company builds a new mill in 1806.* Baker’s grandson, Walter Baker, takes over the company in 1818, and after his death, his step nephew Henry Pierce assumes control of the company in 1854. The “La Belle Chocolatier” image is first adopted as the company’s logo in 1872, officially in 1883, and the company is incorporated as the Walter Baker & Company, Ltd. in 1884. A new mill complex is built in 1892.* The company is purchased by the Forbes Syndicate in 1897, by General Foods in 1927, and closes and moves to Delaware in 1965.