Manchester history

Foundation and First Mentions

The history of Manchester is rooted in the settlements of indigenous peoples who lived for centuries by the Amoskeag Falls on the Merrimack River. This area became accessible to European colonists in the early 18th century. Initially, the settlement bore several names, including "Tyngstown," and in 1751, it was officially incorporated as the town of Derryfield.

The city received its modern name only in 1810. The renaming was initiated by Samuel Blodget, an entrepreneur and visionary who dreamed of turning this place into the "Manchester of America"—a major industrial centre similar to the famous English city.

Key Factors of Development

The transformation of a modest farming settlement into an industrial giant was driven by several important factors:

• Geography and Hydropower: The Amoskeag Falls became the main engine of development. Powerful water currents provided energy for the first mills, and later for huge factory complexes.
• Engineering Solutions: The construction of a canal system around the falls, begun by Blodget, allowed for transport connections and the effective use of water resources for production.
• Textile Industry: Proximity to raw materials and markets (via Boston) facilitated the rapid growth of manufactories.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

The economic heart of the city was the Amoskeag Manufacturing Company, founded in 1831. By the mid-19th century, it had evolved into the largest textile factory in the world, occupying a vast territory along the river. This defined the cultural appearance of early Manchester: the city was built according to a clear company plan, with housing for workers, parks, and public buildings.

The rapid development of industry attracted waves of immigrants, first the Irish and then French-Canadians, which formed a unique multicultural environment that distinguished Manchester from traditional agrarian towns in New England.

Major Milestones in the History of Manchester

• 1751: The settlement is officially incorporated under the name Derryfield.
• 1807: Construction of Blodget's canal and locks is completed, allowing vessels to bypass the Amoskeag Falls.
• 1810: The town is renamed Manchester in honour of the famous English industrial centre.
• 1831: The Amoskeag Manufacturing Company is founded, subsequently becoming the largest textile factory in the world.
• 1846: Manchester receives official city status, the first in the state of New Hampshire.
• 1871: The first horse-drawn trams appear on the city's main thoroughfare, Elm Street, improving transport connections.
• 1922: A massive nine-month strike by textile factory workers begins against wage cuts.
• 1929: The Currier Museum of Art opens, becoming an important cultural centre for the region.
• 1935: The city-forming enterprise Amoskeag Manufacturing Company declares bankruptcy and closes.
• 1936: A devastating flood causes colossal damage to the city's industrial infrastructure.
• 2001: A multi-purpose arena (now SNHU Arena) opens, becoming the main venue for sports and concert events.

Stages of City Development and Transformation

The history of Manchester is an example of how an industrial giant was able to survive the collapse of its main industry and find its place in a new economy. Below are the key stages that formed the modern appearance of the city:

• Creation of a "Planned City" (19th Century)
  Unlike many cities that grew chaotically, Manchester developed according to a strict master plan by the Amoskeag company. A clear grid of streets, parks, and residential quarters for workers was laid out.
  Significance: This gifted the city a recognizable architectural style dominated by red brick and a logical urban structure that remains convenient today.
• French-Canadian Wave (Late 19th — Early 20th Century)
  Mass migration from Quebec led to a significant part of the population speaking French. The West Side district even received the nickname "Little Canada" (Petit Canada).
  Significance: A unique cultural code of the city was formed. The Franco-American heritage is still felt in names, cuisine, and cultural centres of Manchester.
• Economic Diversification (1936)
  After the bankruptcy of the textile giant Amoskeag, a group of local businessmen created the corporation Amoskeag Industries, which purchased the empty workshops. Instead of a single monopoly, the spaces were occupied by dozens of smaller production facilities.
  Significance: This step saved the city from becoming a "ghost town" during the Great Depression and laid the foundation for a diversified economy.
• Adaptive Reuse of the Millyard (Late 20th Century)
  Instead of demolishing old factory buildings along the Merrimack River, the city focused on their revitalization. Former workshops were converted into offices, universities, museums, and restaurants.
  Significance: The Millyard district turned from a depressed industrial zone into a prestigious business and cultural centre, preserving its historical appearance.
• Development of a Transport and Technological Hub (21st Century)
  The modernization of the Manchester-Boston Regional Airport and the arrival of high-tech companies (including Dean Kamen's projects) changed the city's profile.
  Significance: Manchester transformed from a textile capital into a centre for biotechnology, education, and logistics in New England.

Urban Planning and Architectural Appearance

Manchester's architectural landscape is unique in that it was not formed spontaneously, but according to the strict master plan of the industrial corporation Amoskeag. The central part of the city represents a harmonious combination of utilitarian 19th-century factory buildings, lavish Victorian eclecticism, and iconic masterpieces of 20th-century modernism. The urban planning axis is the wide Elm Street, from which a clear grid of residential and business quarters diverges.

Architectural Styles and Eras

The look of the city can be read like a history book, where each era has left its mark in stone and brick:

• Industrial Style (19th Century)
  The foundation of Manchester's visual code. These are monumental factory buildings made of red brick, lined up along the Merrimack River. The style is characterized by functionality, a strict rhythm of arched windows, thick walls, and clock towers that once regulated the lives of workers.
• Victorian Eclecticism and Gothic Revival (Second Half of the 19th Century)
  The period of the city's economic flourishing was reflected in the construction of majestic churches, schools, and mansions for industrialists. This time is characterized by soaring spires, intricate decor, mansard roofs, and the use of granite.
• Beaux-Arts and Renaissance Revival (Early 20th Century)
  A style intended to emphasize the cultural and financial status of the city. Public buildings of this period (libraries, banks, museums) are distinguished by strict symmetry, colonnades, and references to ancient and Italian models.
• Modernism (Mid-20th Century)
  Represented by unique examples of "organic architecture," where the building strives to become part of the natural landscape, rejecting excess decor in favour of clean lines and functionality.

Iconic Buildings and Structures

• The Millyard District — The architectural heart of the city. The complex of former textile factories is today a textbook example of adaptive reuse: historical 19th-century facades are preserved, while modern offices, universities, and lofts are located inside.
• Zimmerman House — A true gem of modernism, designed by the legendary Frank Lloyd Wright in 1950. This is a classic example of a "Usonian" house, preserved in its original state, including furniture and landscape design.
• Ash Street School — A magnificent example of the Second Empire style. Built in 1874, the building stands out with its characteristic mansard roof and high tower, recalling French influence in the architecture of that era.
• Cathedral of St. Joseph — A dominant feature of the city centre in the Gothic Revival style. The building was reconstructed in the late 19th century and is famous for its stained glass windows and rich interior decoration, symbolizing the contribution of the Irish community.
• Currier Museum of Art — An elegant building in the Italian Renaissance Revival style, reminiscent of a palazzo. Its strict classical forms create an interesting contrast with later modern additions.

Notable People of Manchester

Manchester has been the birthplace or home to many people who have left a significant mark on the history, culture, and business of the USA. Here are some of the most famous names associated with the city:

• General John Stark (1728–1822)
  Hero of the American Revolutionary War
  A famous general of the Continental Army who lived in what is now Manchester (then Derryfield). He is best known as the author of the phrase that became the state motto of New Hampshire: "Live Free or Die." His family farm is today the urban park, Stark Park.
• Richard and Maurice McDonald (1909–1998 / 1902–1971)
  Founders of the Fast Food Concept
  Brothers born in Manchester to a family of Irish immigrants. It was they who created the original quick-service system and opened the first McDonald’s restaurant in California, which later turned into a global empire under the leadership of Ray Kroc.
• Grace Metalious (1924–1964)
  Writer
  A native of Manchester who became famous for her debut novel "Peyton Place". The book, exposing the secrets of a small New England town, became one of the biggest bestsellers of the 20th century and caused huge public resonance.
• Rene Gagnon (1925–1979)
  US Marine
  Born and raised in Manchester. Gagnon entered world history as one of the six Marines captured in Joe Rosenthal's legendary photograph "Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima" during World War II.
• Dean Kamen (born 1951)
  Inventor and Entrepreneur
  Although Kamen was born in New York, his work is inextricably linked with Manchester. He founded the company DEKA here, located in the restored factory buildings of the Millyard. Kamen invented the Segway, the iBOT, and founded the international FIRST Robotics movement, turning the city into a technological hub.
• Adam Sandler (born 1966)
  Actor, Comedian, and Producer
  The Hollywood star grew up in Manchester and graduated from the city's Central High School. Sandler often fondly recalls his hometown and frequently includes references to New Hampshire in his films.
• Bob Montana (1920–1975)
  Comic Artist
  Creator of the visual image of the famous Archie comic characters. Montana attended Central High School in Manchester, and it was life in this city that served as inspiration for creating the fictional town of Riverdale and its inhabitants.