History Banana split

as served @ hilton chicago (2007)

wilmington, ohio claims connection. in 1907, restaurant owner ernest hazard wanted attract students wilmington college during slow days of winter. staged employee contest come new ice cream dish. when none of workers task, split banana lengthwise, threw elongated dish , created own dessert. town commemorates event each june own banana split festival.

walgreens credited spreading popularity of banana split. drug stores operated charles rudolph walgreen in chicago area adopted banana split signature dessert. fountains in stores proved draw, attracting customers might otherwise have been satisfied having prescriptions filled @ other drug store in neighborhood.