History Manchester, Maryland

north main st, circa 1900

from 18th century until earliest parts of 20th century, primary languages spoken residents german, or pennsylvania dutch. custom of german residents of making noodles , stringing them on lines outside homes give town nickname noodle doosey . later, manchester receive nickname when german custom of making ginger cakes brought on gingercake town . manchester relatively large cigar manufacturing town, after civil war until around 1930, when mass production of cigars made manual method in use in town less economical.

manchester home of 1 of first colleges in carroll county when, in 1858, irving college, named after poet washington irving, established dr. ferdinand dieffenbach. during civil war success of school hampered death of dr. dieffenbach , low number of young men returning front lines. school changed name irving institute in 1886 , ceased operation 1893.

during american civil war, manchester used camping area union sixth army corps under general john sedgwick on july 1, 1863. next day, army made march battle of gettysburg.

manchester has had 3 newspapers. first, called manchester gazette, began publishing weekly in 1870 , ceased in 1872. second went print on december 11, 1880, , called manchester enterprise, , in 1888 telephone messenger established.

lutheran white oak

the official seal of town of manchester church steeple in foreground , likeness of leaf-less tree in background text founded 1765 incorporated 1834 .

the image of tree representation of white oak , considered town symbol. lutheran white oak , has come known, estimated @ 320 years old. large oak became fixture of town when, in 1758, king george iii granted charter german colonists erect church near tree. town newsletter named oaknotes homage large white oak tree.

manchester typical main street town continues expanding accommodate growing population. manchester has own post office, , home mail delivery available residents. majority, estimated 95%, of town residents commute work. there no large employers inside town limits, there many small businesses. manchester residential buildings, restaurants, bank , other small retail storefronts. large portion of businesses located on or around main street maryland route 30 becomes once entering downtown manchester.