These Are the Oldest Existing Companies in America

Founded in: 1806
Industry: Consumer Goods

Colgate was formed in 1806 by William Colgate in New York City. He started off as a candle and soap maker, but once his son took the company over after his death, he began selling toothpaste in 1896. By 1928, Palmolive bought Colgate & Company and soon became an industry leader in hand soap and toothpaste. 

Colgate Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons

From the 1960s onward, the company began selling more than just soap and toothpaste. It acquired Hill’s Pet Nutrition and other companies. Its product lineup now includes pet food, household cleaning products and wipes, and more.

Founded in: 1816
Industry: Arms

Eliphalet Remington founded the Remington Company in 1816 in New York, originally manufacturing guns and ammunition. Today, Remington produces more rifles and shotguns than nearly any other company in the United States. Remington played a role in both World War I and II by providing the military with firearms and ammo. 

Remington Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons

Today, the factory that produces these firearms is said to be the oldest one in America to still manufacture the same product. Over the years, Remington has gone through some different names and has changed hands, but it is still one of the leading firearms manufacturers in the United States.

Founded in: 1802
Industry: Chemical

The official name of DuPont is E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, which was founded in Wilmington, Delaware by Eleuthere Irenee du Pont. The company started by producing gunpowder, which was provided to the Union Army during the Civil War. In the early 20th Century, DuPont still produced gunpowder and other chemical products. 

Dupont Powder Co. 1800s ©Arthur Miller/Alamy

Over the years, DuPont took on manufacturing many more products and has had a hand in many major historical events such as World War II. Today, the DuPont family is one of the richest families in the United States. In 2017, DuPont merged with Dow Chemical Company to form DowDuPont. 

Founded in: 1817
Industry: Publishing

HarperCollins is one of the five largest publishing companies in the United States. Located in New York, it was born when two publishing companies merged together. Founded in 1817, Harper and Brothers, which then became Harper & Row, then merged with William Collins, Sons, which was founded in 1819 to make what HarperCollins is today. 

Harper Establishment nygeschichte/Twitter.com

HarperCollins publishes books of all genres and distributes their books globally. Offices are located around the world including Australia, China, India, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and Canada. 

Founded in: 1817
Industry: Finance

The New York Stock Exchange began as a result of the signing of the Buttonwood Agreement in 1792. Once brokers realized they could reform and change the agreement, the NYSE was born. Before establishing itself on Wall Street in Manhattan, it had many locations over the years. 

The New York Stock Exchange in 1882 Hughson Hawley/Wikimedia Commons

Today, we see images of the New York Stock Exchange as a fast-paced environment with people shouting out numbers and making trades. A staple in the US and global economy, the New York Stock Exchange is one of the oldest and most successful companies in the country.

Founded in: 1764
Industry: Food Manufacturing

Local gourmands Hannon and Baker started off importing cocoa beans to produce chocolate in 1764. Unfortunately, when Hannon never returned from a trip to the West Indies in 1780, Baker took it over and rebranded it the Baker Chocolate Company. For almost a hundred years, the company focused on producing just one type of chocolate, but then added more products to their line. 

Baker's Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons

Today, the company, now known as Baker’s Chocolate, produces baking chocolate, dipping chocolate, and more. It’s become a staple item in every kitchen’s baking cabinet. It also provides products for the service industry as well as the amateur baker.

Founded in: 1780
Industry: Beverage

Laird & Company is the country’s oldest licensed distillery. Started by Robert Laird in 1780, he received the first distillery license from the United States Department of the Treasury. He opened the distillery in New Jersey and became producing spirits. 

Laird & Company @Laird & Company/Twitter.com

During the Revolutionary War, Laird served in the Army under George Washington. It’s said that Washington requested to know the recipe for Laird’s product. Today, production has ceased in New Jersey but still takes place in Virginia, where it gets its apples for the product.

Founded in: 1774
Industry: Tool Manufacturing

Founded by Captain John Ames, the Ames company was one of the first to produce shovels in the United States. Their slogan is “Our Tools Built America,” so you can guess just how long they’ve been around and their impact on the country. Throughout the years, the company merged with other companies that produced tools. 

Ames Shovel Works Ames/Ames Free Library

Today, Ames sells more than just shovels, but still stays true to its roots. The head company is now known as Ames True Temper, which manages multiple brands of a variety of tools that you can find at just about any local hardware store. 

Founded in: 1812
Industry: Banking

Originally started as the City Bank of New York by Samuel Osgood, Citigroup became the largest national bank by 1894. Starting with only $2 million and going through many mergers and different names, it has since become a key part of the entire U.S. and global economy. In 1914 it opened its first international location in Argentina. 

Wall Street and William Street, NYC,1798 Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons

Today, Citigroup has been highly ranked across the world for its advising services. It has also become the sole credit provider for Costco. As one of the oldest companies in America, it shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon. 

Founded in: 1799
Industry: Paper Manufacturer

Crane and Co. founder Stephen Crane had experience working at a paper mill when he managed the first one in Massachusetts. Almost two decades later, he decided to move to a new city and start the Crane and Co. paper mill. The company has been around for so long and has created such high-quality products that even Paul Revere used the paper that was produced there.

Crane and Company Old Stone Mill @cranemuseum/Wikimedia Commons

Serving both business and personal use, Crane and Co. has made a great reputation for itself when it comes to paper products. In fact, even the U.S. Treasury bought paper from them to print money. 

Founded in: 1790
Industry: Food Manufacturing

One of America’s oldest flour producers started out as Sands, Taylor & Wood Co. in Boston in 1790. It wouldn’t be until 1896 that the company’s name would be changed to King Arthur Flour. The company began by importing flour from Europe into the United States. 

King Arthur Flour @kingarthurbaking/Twitter.com

Once it became what we know it as today, it had started producing its own flour in America. You can still find King Arthur Flour on the grocery store shelves. Consumers still trust this flour for all of their baking needs. They are proof that sometimes older is, indeed, better.

Founded in: 1843
Industry: Retailer

Macy’s was founded in Boston by Rowland Hussey Macy and was then called R.H. Macy & Co. It wasn’t how we think of Macy’s today, though. The retailer first started selling dry goods and opened its first store in Haverhill, Massachusetts. Eventually, in 1902, it opened its most famous location in New York City on 34th and Broadway. 

Macy's 1858 Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons

Today, Macy’s is one of the top department stores offering designer clothing, jewelry, accessories, furniture, and more. In fact, no mall is complete without a Macy’s. Don’t forget about its famous Thanksgiving Day Parade either. Macy’s has truly left its mark on American culture. 

Founded in: 1818
Industry: Clothing Retailer

Founded in the early 1800s, Brooks Brothers remains the oldest running clothing retailer in the United States. It was responsible for mainstreaming the famous ready-to-wear suit to Americans. The first store was opened in New York in 1849 and now has over 250 retail locations throughout the country. 

Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons

It is known for its high-quality and high-end professional clothing for both men and women. Along with their suits, their original button-down polo shirt is also a staple item at Brooks Brothers. 

Founded in: 1792
Industry: Publishing

The Old Farmer’s Almanac was first published in 1792 by Robert B. Thomas. Working off of astronomy cycles, weather patterns, and solar activity, Thomas predicted the next year’s weather and farming forecast. A signature mark of the Old Farmer’s Almanac was the hole drilled through it so readers could hang it in their homes. 

©Ken Pilon/stock.adobe.com

While the publication has lost popularity over the years as technology has improved, it is still published each year. Research shows that about half of what is predicted turns out to be true. Today, the publication has about three million subscribers.