Manchester, Maryland
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Manchester, Maryland | |
| Nickname: M Chester | |
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| Coordinates: | |
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| Country | United States |
| State | Maryland |
| County | Carroll |
| Area | |
| - Total | 1.9 sq mi (5.0 km²) |
| - Land | 1.9 sq mi (5.0 km²) |
| - Water | 0.0 sq mi (0.0 km²) |
| Elevation | 991 ft (302 m) |
| Population (2000) | |
| - Total | 3,329 |
| - Density | 1,713.4/sq mi (661.5/km²) |
| Time zone | Eastern (EST) (UTC-5) |
| - Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC-4) |
| ZIP codes | 21088, 21102 |
| Area code(s) | 410 |
| FIPS code | 24-49950 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0590726 |
Manchester is a town in Carroll County, Maryland, United States. (Some locations, however, reside in Baltimore County to the east.) The population was 3,329 at the 2000 census. It's often affectionately referred to as M Chester by its youth.
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[edit] History
Established in 1760, incorporated in 1833. Rich in history and popular with transplants, Manchester is a small town in northeast Carroll County where old and new collide. It is located on the bustling MD RT30-a trucking and commuter route connecting Hanover, Pennsylvania and Baltimore County, Maryland.
With its tidy housing developments-and several more new neighborhoods on the way-this town is part suburb. But with its quaint small downtown and lack of fast-food restaurants, Manchester retains its small-town atmosphere.
Manchester began (circa 1760) as a harmonious blend of English and German cultures, indicated today by the English name of the town and by old tombstones in the cemetery inscribed in German.
It developed an atmosphere of local pride and cooperation still evident in the neatness of the streets, homes and yards, and in many cooperative enterprises such as the volunteer Fire Company, "Christmas Tree Park", "Charlotte's Quest Nature Center", a community swimming pool, and strong churches. A Lutheran church was erected in Manchester in 1760 as the first place to worship in Carroll County. That church's direct descendant is Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church, founded in 1862 and located on Church ST. A large white oak, older than the church, stands beside it and is considered the town symbol and town tree. Manchester's existence has always been closely related to the agriculture of the district. Growth of tobacco in the area years ago led to the development of an extensive cigar manufacturing business (now gone). A bank, an insurance company, and several service stores, all locally inspired, have catered to rural needs. More recently, commuters to Hampstead, Hanover, Westminster, and Baltimore have established their homes in the relatively peaceful and neighborly atmosphere of Manchester.
AT one time, an iron mine was opened near Melrose (north of Manchester) which was thought to have such potential that a spur railroad was built at the site. However, the ore proved to unprofitable and both rail line and mine have disappeared. There was even an iron foundry in Manchester in the early days.
During the Gettysburg campaign of the Civil War, Manchester saw much activity among Union forces. Thousands of troops camped in and near the town.
== A Little More In Depth ==
The Town of Manchester stands at an intersection of what were once two important Indian trails; one part of the trail connected the Potomac and Susquehanna rivers and the other ran from Hanover to Baltimore. The latter trail was laid out in 1737 as the first public road in what is now Carroll Co. by Robert Owings. Circa 1750 about 70 Susquehannock Indians lived within a mile of Manchester. On the hill just south of the former William Hossler farm, it is reported to have been an Indian look-out post. Also, Chief Macanappy’s wigwam was in the woods just above the first farm on the left of the northern side of town.
According to the late Dr. Arthur Tracey, the first land grant in this area was located at the intersection of the present Lineboro Road and Hanover Pike known as “Steven’s Hope.” The first home to be built in the area was on this location. The first settlers were English, but later immigration brought people of German descent. There were many early land grants, but the first one touching the present confines of town was made in 1758, issued to “German Churche”, on which the original church “Zion” was built. Captain Richards was granted a tract of land, “New Market”, adjoining the “German Churche” in 1756, and he laid out Manchester, naming it after his home town in England. It is said that a tavern was built before a house, and this may have been the house which you would find at 3132 Main Street (#35) , this being the oldest structure still standing in town. Most of the early homes were log cabins. The Town was incorporated in 1834.
From the middle 1700’s until nearly the beginning of the 1900’s, the primary languages of the people here was German or Pennsylvania Dutch. The women would make their own noodles and string them on a line outside which gave the town the nickname, “Noodle Doosey.” Later the prevalent custom of making ginger cakes brought on “Gingercake Town.” The establishment and growth of Manchester have been due largely to the fact that it is situated on a public thoroughfare of prime importance. Large Conestoga wagons and coaches traveled through from both directions, trading goods, utilizing stores, taverns and Inns. Railroads never came directly here but automobiles caused the greatest revolution in the life of this rural community.
At one time, Manchester had a cultural atmosphere resulting from the establishment of two fine educational institutions. The Manchester Academy (#69) founded in 1831, and Irving College (#63), founded in 1858, attracted students from several states. However, dissension resulting from the Civil War closed the Manchester Academy and seriously weakened Irving College, which survived until 1893.
At one time Manchester was an important cigar manufacturing town with about 400 employees in seven factories. Trump’s Tin Shop at 3194 Main St. (# 27), Manchester Foundrey and Machine Works, later Trump’s Garage (#21) , Coachmaking (behind Immanuel Lutheran #60), mining (near Melrose and Ebbvale), canneries and sewing factories were all early industries of our area, along with being a summer tourist trade spot.
During the Civil War, Manchester received fame as the place at which the Union Sixth Army Corps under General John Sedgwick camped on July 1, 1863. The next day, the Corps made its historic march to the Battle of Gettysburg.
Many present businesses dress our streets today to meet the current needs of our people. There are many service clubs, social and youth organizations, lodges and recreational activities within our town, too numerous to mention. The Manchester Fire Engine and Hook and Ladder Co. No. 1 was organized in 1885 and the first building was dedicated at its present location on September 2, 1899.
Manchester is an old town, but it is a town on the move. People from Manchester show a remarkable tendency to return, no matter how far they might stray during life. Under our graceful and mighty oak tree some things never change; courting under its branches and God who is worshiped in the churches within the shadows of its branches is the same yesterday,
[edit] Geography
Manchester is located at (39.661762, -76.888014)[1]. Manchester is often affectionately referred to as M Chester by its youth. According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 1.9 square miles (5.0 km²), all of it land.
[edit] Demographics
As of the census[2] of 2000, there were 3,329 people, 1,134 households, and 885 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,713.4 people per square mile (662.5/km²). There were 1,176 housing units at an average density of 605.3/sq mi (234.0/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.36% White, 0.87% African American, 0.24% Native American, 0.21% Asian, 0.24% from other races, and 1.08% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.57% of the population.
There were 1,134 households out of which 44.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.9% were married couples living together, 10.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.9% were non-families. 18.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.83 and the average family size was 3.24.
In the town the population was spread out with 28.3% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 31.6% from 25 to 44, 20.5% from 45 to 64, and 11.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 95.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.5 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $57,390, and the median income for a family was $62,679. Males had a median income of $37,794 versus $29,118 for females. The per capita income for the town was $20,956. About 0.9% of families and 2.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.1% of those under age 18 and 4.7% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] References
- ^ US Gazetteer files: 2000 and 1990. United States Census Bureau (2005-05-03). Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
[edit] External links
- Manchester, Maryland is at coordinates Coordinates:
- Homepage for the town of Manchester, Maryland
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