LIBBY'S® PUMPKIN HISTORY: FROM A SINGLE SEED, A LEGACY GREW
1835 — A JOURNEY BEGINS
It all started with a seed. In 1835, Elijah Dickinson carried his proprietary Dickinson Pumpkin seed with him on a journey from Kentucky to Illinois, not knowing that this single seed would one day grow into America's most beloved pumpkin brand.
1925 — PLANTING ROOTS
Elijah didn't stop at planting. Together with several of his brothers, he invested in a dream — establishing the family's first canning facility in Eureka, Illinois. Their passion grew into a full-fledged operation, and by 1925, Dickinson & Co. had expanded to three canning facilities across Eureka, Washington, and Morton, Illinois.
1929 — THE BIRTH OF LIBBY'S®
In 1929, Elijah sold Dickinson & Co. and his prized pumpkin crop to Archibald McNeill and brothers Arthur and Charles Libby. Through their company, Libby, McNeill, and Libby, a beloved American icon was born and the LIBBY'S® brand began its journey into the hearts and kitchens of America. Libby’s partnered with farmers to breed pumpkins with just the right flavor with our proprietary seed, the same one Elijiah Dickinson used.
1950 — A RECIPE THAT BECAME A TRADITION
LIBBY'S® Pumpkin quickly grew into an iconic national brand by sharing something truly special. The LIBBY'S® FAMOUS PUMPKIN PIE recipe featured on the back of every LIBBY'S® can has guided millions of bakers for decades, helping families create the perfect pumpkin pie year after year. It's a recipe that lives on kitchen counters, in family recipe boxes, and in the memories of everyone who has ever baked a perfect pumpkin pie.
1978 — THE PUMPKIN CAPITAL OF THE WORLD
Over time, the Morton, Illinois facility became the undisputed home of LIBBY'S® Pumpkin canning operations and its legacy grew right along with it. Declared the "Pumpkin Capital of the World" by Illinois’ governor in 1978, Morton proudly reflects generations of community dedication, craftsmanship, and love for pumpkins.
2026 — A PARTNERSHIP BUILT ON TRUST
Since 1976, Nestlé has been proudly producing and selling LIBBY'S® Pumpkin products, carrying forward the same unwavering commitment to quality and tradition that began with one extraordinary seed nearly two centuries ago. In 2025, the Morton, Illinois facility turned 100 years old and today, as America's #1 Pumpkin*, LIBBY'S® remains the most trusted brand in pumpkin — the ingredient at the heart of your most cherished recipes, generation after generation.*Based on total dollar sales by brand.
ROOTED IN FAMILY. GROWN SUSTAINABLY WITH PRIDE.
LIBBY'S® Pumpkins are the heart of Morton, Illinois. The families who grow them have been carrying that tradition for generations, from field to factory and beyond. Watch the video below to learn more.