Great American Banana Split Celebration

Since its invention in 1904, the banana split has become an iconic part of American dessert culture. Its history began when David Strickler, a 23 year-old “soda jerk” at a drugstore in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, started experimenting with different ice cream combinations. He cut a banana lengthwise, added three scoops of ice cream (typically vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry) then topped it with sweet syrups, chopped nuts, whipped cream, and a maraschino cherry. It was an instant hit! Within a few years, the banana split gained national recognition. The dessert had become a staple of American dessert culture. Strickler went on to buy the Latrobe pharmacy where he invented the banana split where he added an optical business upstairs. He was a staple in the local community until he passed away in 1971 at the age of 90. In 2004, on the 100th anniversary of the banana split, “Ice-Cream Joe” Greubel worked with the University of Pitt to commemorate Strickler’s invention with the “From Pitt Came the Split” event. The Great American Banana Split Celebration started in 2013 with the unveiling of a marker from the Pennsylvania Historical Society at the former site of Tassel’s Pharmacy where Sticker was working at the time of his invention. Today, the banana split remains a beloved dessert across the United States and is often found on the menus of ice cream shops and restaurants. It is also the official dessert of Pennsylvania!