Girl Scout Cookies® History
Baking a Classic
Early Years | 1930s | 1940s | 1950s | 1960s | 1970s | 1980s | 1990s | Today
In 1933, Girl Scouts of Greater Philadelphia Council baked cookies and sold them in the city's gas and electric company windows. Just 23 cents per box of 44 cookies, or six boxes for $1.24 helped girls develop their marketing and business potential and raise funds for their local Girl Scout council program. In 1934, Greater Philadelphia became the first council to sell commercially baked cookies.
In 1935, another large group, the Girl Scout Federation of Greater New York (consisting of the Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island councils) raised money through the sale of commercial cookies. Buying its own die in the shape of a trefoil, the group used the words Girl Scout Cookies on the box.
In 1936, the national Girl Scout organization began the process to license the first commercial baker to produce cookies that would be sold by girls in Girl Scout councils. Enthusiasm for Girl Scout Cookies spread nationwide. In 1937, more than 125 Girl Scout councils reported holding cookie sales.
