The village of Manchester is a picturesque, close-knit community located on the banks of the River Raisin. Power from the river, in combination with two railroad lines running through town, helped Manchester grow into a bustling milling and agricultural center in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Though the railroad does not pass through the village anymore, Manchester is still attractive for industry and residents. It is within easy driving distance to the opportunities in larger communities like Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, Adrian, and Jackson, yet Manchester has also retained its own identity, complete with a quality school system, successful businesses, and strong community organizations. It is an area rich in history with a charming atmosphere, historic downtown, and many outdoor
recreation opportunities for the whole family.
The first officially recognized inhabitants of the Manchester area were Native Americans, mainly from the Potawatomi tribe. In this lush area, they found game, fish, and other foods to sustain them. However, in the Treaty of Saginaw in 1819, the United States government negotiated with prominent Native American chiefs, resulting in the U.S. government taking possession of most of the land in lower Michigan. In the 1830s and 1840s, early pioneers began to purchase the land that would eventually become Manchester and the surrounding areas.
Although early histories refer to Manchester as being named after Manchester, New York, more recent research reveals that it is named for Manchester, England. Manchester in England was known in the early 1800s as a leading water-powered manufacturing town and the founders of the young Michigan village wanted to foster a similar image. An early timeline, up to the 2000s, traces some of the major developments that forged the
thriving village Manchester has become today.
1820s
In 1826, the land that would become the Village of Manchester was deeded to John Gilbert. However, he did not start to develop the land for the village until the 1830s.
1830s
In 1832, John Gilbert set his sights on developing his land along the River Raisin into a village. He commissioned the construction of a dam, mill race, bridge, and grist mill. To help with this was general contractor and mill operator Emanuel Case, William S. Carr, and Elijah Carr, who prepared the timber for construction, and Gilbert’s son Harry H. Gilbert as overseer and carpenter. Known as the Manchester Mill, this mill was a staple in the developing village.
In 1833, Soule Sawmill was built at the eastern end of what would become Manchester. At this time the area was called Souleville in honor of early settler James Soule. It would later be incorporated into the village of Manchester.
In 1833, the Fargo & Fargo General Store was established by Stephen and James Harvey Fargo.
In 1834, the Manchester Hotel (also known at times as the Manchester House, the Goodman House, and the Freeman House) was built by Emanuel Case. This building was used not only as an overnight stay for travelers but also as a main hub and gathering spot for important information and local news. It also served as a stagecoach stop on the line operated by Hibbard and Hubbard of Jackson, between 1835 and 1860, before the railroad came to Manchester.
In 1835, although John Gilbert had been continuing to acquire property in the Manchester area, he sold all of his remaining parcels in the village area (about 440 acres) to Stephen Fargo.
In 1837, Manchester Township was established and the first meeting was held at the schoolhouse in the village of Manchester.
1840s
In 1848, after a short economic depression resulting from bank failures in the late 1830s, the economy of Manchester began to grow again.
1850s
In 1853, a fire, ignited by spontaneous combustion of accumulated smut removed from the grains, destroyed the Manchester Mill, along with part of downtown Manchester. The mill was eventually rebuilt and returned to operation in the late 1800s.
Between 1853 and 1860, Manchester’s Nob Hill was built, a row of elegant Italianate houses along Ann Arbor Street. These homes were owned by prominent businessmen and doctors.
In 1855, the first railroad extension reached Manchester. The Lakeshore and Michigan Southern Railroad built a line from Tecumseh to Manchester. This line eventually continued on to Jackson, allowing Manchester’s first passenger and freight traffic to flow between Adrian and Jackson.
1860s
In 1867, the settlement of Soulesville, located about 1 mile downstream from Manchester, became incorporated into the village of Manchester. Both the Manchester Village Office and Manchester Public Library are located on the site of the former settlement.
In 1867, the Manchester Enterprise, a weekly newspaper, was established.
In 1869, Henry Goodyear purchased the Manchester Hotel. He rebuilt it as a three-story brick building and renamed it the Goodyear House. It boasted luxuries such as running water on all three floors, public baths, and a complete livery service available for guests.
1870s
In 1870, Manchester’s second railroad was built, offering connections between Detroit and Chicago. Passenger trains arrived 2 to 3 times per day from this time, through the early 1900s, as well as freight trains carrying cattle and other freight.
In 1877, the building now known as the Blacksmith Shop Museum was built by a group of stonemasons in just eight days. According to legend, their speedy work was inspired by the promise of a keg of cold beer upon completion of the project.
In 1877, Manchester built its first government hall. The Old Town Hall and Firehouse were constructed on Clinton Street, south of the Main Street intersection.
1880s
During the 1880s, many German immigrants began to settle in the Manchester area, where they opened businesses and began farming.
1890s
In 1892, the sawmill built by James Soule, then called Premium, was turned over to the village to be used for the generation of electric power.
1900s
In 1908, the dam at Premium mill washed out and a new concrete one was built.
1910s
In 1911, the hotel was called the Manchester Hotel again. During this year, it was discovered that the owner at that time, J.J. Beagle of Wellsville, New York, was charged with hiring the hotel’s proprietor, William Lewis, to set the hotel on fire, most likely in order to collect insurance money. The fire was detected early, so little damage was done and no one was hurt. However, both Beagle and Lewis were tried in court and served three months in jail for their crime.
In 1917, a tornado ripped through the Manchester area, causing over $500,000 worth of damage throughout Washtenaw County, causing two deaths and many injuries in the county
1920s
In the 1920s, silent movies were projected on a screen set up on the bridge over the River Raisin.
In 1923, due to electric power shortages, the village imposed a 50 cent fine on any residents who did not turn off their porch lights by 1:00 am.
In 1924, a second fire destroyed the Manchester Mill.
In 1925, Consumers Power was awarded a franchise to provide electric power to the village of Manchester. In that same year, the Premium mill was demolished.
1930s
In 1936, Henry Ford purchased the land (88 acres) at the site of the former Premium mill for $38,979. This was part of his plan to restore old mill sites and build small manufacturing plants, part of his Village Industries concept.
In 1937, Henry Ford spent $831,000 on building a plant on the site of the old mill, his fifth and last plant to be built along the River Raisin.
In 1938, after the need for the Manchester Hotel had declined, it was converted into a Gulf gasoline and service station operated by Grossman and Huber until 1979.
1940s
In 1940, the Manchester Village Ford facility opened, though production was delayed due to problems obtaining equipment for the plant.
In 1941, production started with 150 employees for the Manchester Village Ford plant. They assembled oil, fuel temperature, and ammeter gauges into dashboard clusters for Ford Motor Company cars, trucks, and tractors.
In 1942, due to World War II, production in the Village Ford plant switched to produce rate-of-climb instruments for the B-24 airplane.
In 1945, as the war ended, the Village Ford plant resumed production of the ammeter gauges. Henry Ford also retired during this year.
1950s
In 1954, the first annual Manchester Chicken Broil was held. This event served about 2,000 meals and raised $1,075, which was used for the athletic field fence.
In 1957, the Manchester Village Ford plant was closed and its production moved to the Ford plant in Rawsonville.
1960s
In 1961, the Village Ford plant building was sold to Ray F. Thornton. Thornton and his company, Manchester Products, studied safety devices for cars and other processes.
1970s
In the 1970s, the Manchester Products company closed due to Thornton passing away. The plant was then sold to the Economy Baler Division of American Hoist Company, which manufactured compressors for paper balers.
In 1973, the song “Smokin’ in the Boys Room”, sung by Manchester High School graduate Michael “Cub” Koda, became a huge hit.
In 1976, American Hoist did not renew its lease and the old Ford plant was again abandoned.
In 1977, Brooklyn Products occupied the former Ford plant, where it produced wax applicators out of polyurethane foam.
1980s
In 1980, Brooklyn Products was closed.
In 1982, Hoover Universal, a plastics and bearings manufacturer based in Ann Arbor, acquired the old Ford plant property. They converted the property into an office and training facility. Through the years, Hoover Universal was acquired by Johnson Controls and then Uniloy-Milacron. The plant became the world headquarters for Uniloy Milacron’s Plant Machinery Group.
In 1982, the Manchester Historical Society purchased the Blacksmith Shop and turned it into a museum with a working forge used by blacksmiths to demonstrate, teach, and provide hands-on experiences and it is also used for community events.
2000s
In 2000, Uniloy-Milacron sold its facility to the Village of Manchester, and the following year, the village renovated the building to accommodate administrative offices and library facilities.
In 2004, Leonard Preserve was established. Consisting of 259 acres, this area preserves and protects nearly one mile of the River Raisin shoreline. Located just northwest of the Village of Manchester, this rich and diverse landscape includes rolling hills, woodlands, wetlands, prairie, and former pasture land.
2010s
In 2013, the annual Manchester Chicken Broil celebrated its 60th anniversary. This well-loved event serves approximately 12,000 broiled chicken meals over a four-hour span.
In 2013, the Manchester Mirror began publishing as a free weekly online newspaper covering Manchester and including Bridgewater Township, Freedom Township, Sharon Township, and Manchester Township all located in the southwest corner of Washtenaw County.
In 2015, the Manchester Enterprise ceased publication, after many years of being Manchester’s only print newspaper.
In 2016, the Manchester Mirror began publishing a weekly print version. Subscriptions are available for the print version, or they can be picked up for free at many local businesses.
In 2017, Manchester celebrated its Sesquicentennial with historical tours, a tractor show, an old-time baseball game, a beard contest, music, and more.
Manchester Today
Manchester is a scenic village along the River Raisin, full of charm and a strong sense of community. With historic buildings and healthy small businesses, restaurants, antique shops, and more, this town has retained its unique identity and history throughout the changes of our modern age. Several beautiful parks are available for outdoor recreation and events such as the annual Manchester Chicken Broil allows visitors and residents to experience the best in small-town life.
Sources:
https://vil-manchester.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Sign1_36x24_FoundingOfManchester_LoRes.pdf
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manchester,_Michigan
https://themanchestermirror.com/about/
https://vil-manchester.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Sign7_36x24_ManchesterRailroads_LoRes.pdf
https://vil-manchester.org/ford-building-timeline/
https://www.opengrownschool.com/new-page
http://themanchestermirror.com/2014/01/20/fire-smut-and-disease-inmanchester-part-one-of-four/
https://themanchestermirror.com/2015/01/26/comings-and-goings-atthe-manchester-hotel-part-3-of-3/