Town of Manchester

Information about Manchester Connecticut

About the Town of Manchester

Click here for the Town of Manchester's website

A Brief History

In 1838, the Cheney family started what would become the world's largest silk mill, and by the 1920's developed what was considered a utopian industrial community. The intact mill buildings, owner houses and worker houses are now a National Historic Landmark District. The mill buildings have undergone restoration and conversion to housing in the recent past.

As the silk industry declined, the local economy became more diverse. During the 1950's and 1960's, Manchester experienced a substantial population growth and physical development. Residents of Manchester found major employment centers outside of town.

Manchester Today

Manchester occupies 27.6 square miles, which is ten miles east of the capital city of Hartford and halfway between New York City and Boston. The metropolitan area is headquarters for major insurance and financial service businesses. Defense and aerospace industries are prominent among the high technology and skilled businesses of the region. Emerging industries include precision machinery, health care, and information technology.

Manchester has evolved into a small city of 55,000 which is a service, retail, employment and residential center for the eastern part of the Hartford region. It has a central business district, four shopping districts, and three industrial parks. The town of Manchester has a reputation for quality delivery of a full range of municipal services and is attractive for business and living.

Manchester has a diverse industrial base of small to large firms in manufacturing, research and development, and distribution. These firms require a full range of occupational levels and rely heavily on a skilled and motivated work force. Recently improved interstate highways and rail freight services serve the Manchester area. Manchester is also a major retail and service center. It has a National Register Main Street Historic District and three community shopping centers. The Shoppes at Buckland Hills, is a major regional center in the northeast end of Manchester along I-84 contains over three million square feet of retail space, a movie theater, a dozen restaurants and over 400 hotel rooms.