History of Manchester, Vermont, USA

Manchester Village was first settled in 1761. From 1761 to 1850, the Village was primarily a crossroads featuring numerous taverns and inns.

villageofmanchester.com

Between 1812 and 1819, Manchester was made famous by the Boorn–Colvin case, called "America's first wrongful conviction murder case"

wikipedia.org

1839 - Manchester
Manchester, Vermont
Bennington county. One of the county towns. Situated between the Green mountains on the E., and Equinox mountain on the W. The latter is 3,706 feet above the sea. There are two neat villages in this valley; the county buildings are in the south village. The scenery here is very beautiful. The town is watered by the Battenkill and its branches, and affords good mill sites. The soil along the water courses is good, but the principal part of the town is better for grazing than tillage. Here are large quarries of beautiful marble, some manufactures, a curious cavern, and about 6,000 sheep. Manchester lies 22 miles N. by E. from Bennington, and about 40 W. from Bellows Falls, across the mountains. First settled 1764. Population, 1830, 1,525.
The New England Gazetteer containing descriptions of all the states, counties and towns in New England: also descriptions of the principal mountains, rivers lakes, capes, bays, harbors, islands and fashionable resorts within that territory. By John Hayward, author of the Columbian Traveller, Religious Creeds, &c. &c. Boston: John Hayward. Boyd & White, Concord, N.H. 1839

1849 - Manchester
Bennington Co. One of the county towns. Situated between the Green Mountains on the east, and Equinox Mountain on the west. The latter is 3.706 feet above the sea. There are two neat villages in this valley ; the county buildings are in the south village. The scenery here is very beautiful. The town is watered by the Battenkill and its branches, and affords good mill sites.

The soil along the water (bourses is good, but the principal part of the town is better for grazing than tillage. Here are large quarries of beautiful marble, some manufactures, and a curious cavern.

There are a variety of minerals in Manchester.

Boundaries. North by Dorset, east by Winhall, south by Sunderland, and west by Sandgate.

First Settlers. The settlement of Manchester was commenced in 1764, by Samuel Rose and others, from Dutchess County, N. Y.

Productions of the Soil. Wheat, 1,481 bushels; Indian corn, 5,764 bushels; potatoes, 30,576 bushels ; hay, 3,553 tons ; maple sugar, 34,950 pounds ; ... Read MORE...

From 1850 to about 1900 the Village entered its resort phase with the most notable contributor being the Equinox Hotel.

villageofmanchester.com

Franklin Orvis opened Manchester’s most famous hotel, the Equinox, in 1853, which became the centerpiece of Manchester's tourist industry.

familysearch.org (Mormon Genealogy Records)
Unofficial Guide to FamilySearch.org: How to Find Your Family History on the World's Largest Free Genealogy Website

1856 - Orvis is founded in Manchester
Orvis is a family-owned retail and mail-order business specializing in high-end fly fishing, hunting and sporting goods. Founded in Manchester in 1856 by Charles F. Orvis to sell fishing tackle, it is the oldest mail-order retailer in the United States.
wikipedia.org

The first marble sidewalk, a still treasured historic feature, was laid in 1850 and by 1890, four miles of marble sidewalks adorned the Village.

villageofmanchester.com

1918 - Big Fire in Manchester
Fire which probably originated from a hot box in the machinery caused damage of about $20,000 in the by-products department of the Rich Lumber company plant at Manchester Depot. The loss falls chiefly on the firm of Ryan Schlieder, who state that they have about $6,000 insurance on the property destroyed. The fire was breaking through the floor from the basement when discovered and it spread so rapidly that the men working nearby did not have tome to save their dinner pails. Seven streams of water from the company’s private plant, the village system and a hand engine were employed for about two hours before control of the situation was gained and had it not been for a favorable wind the larger part of the plant housing the main saw mills and much lumber in the yard would had burned.
St Albans Daily Messenger
St Albans, Vermont
July 4, 1918

Here's a list of places to go and things to do in and around Manchester:
Hike Equinox Mountain: Start your visit with a hike up Equinox Mountain. It's the highest peak in the Taconic Range and offers breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. There's also an auto road if you prefer a scenic drive to the summit.

Explore Hildene - The Lincoln Family Home: Visit the former estate of Robert Todd Lincoln, the son of Abraham Lincoln. The mansion, gardens, and walking trails make for an educational and scenic experience.

Shop in Manchester Designer Outlets: Manchester is known for its designer outlets, and the Manchester Designer Outlets is the place to find high-end brands at discounted prices. It's a shopper's paradise.

Visit the Southern Vermont Arts Center: This center hosts rotating art exhibitions and offers art classes and workshops. It's a great place to appreciate local and regional art.

Manchester Music Festival: If you're a music enthusiast, check out the Manchester Music Festival. They host classical music concerts and... Read MORE...