Julius Sturgis: America's first commercial pretzel bakery

Lititz, Pa -- Julius Sturgis Pretzel Bakery began in 1861 and is Americas first commercial pretzel bakery. As a soft pretzel apprentice, Julius Sturgis discovered how to make the crispy sourdough pretzel by accident when a batch of soft pretzels got doubled baked due to the summer heat.

Thinking he discovered a sellable snack, he opened his own bakery in Lititz, Pa. The original bakery is still in Lititz teaching folks the history of the pretzel and how its made. "We try to make people have a good time and a good experience here." Says owner, Tim Snyder, "and learn some history while theyre at it."