Manns Choice, Pennsylvania facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Manns Choice, Pennsylvania
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Borough
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Store in Manns Choice
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Location of Manns Choice in Bedford County, Pennsylvania.
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 Manns Choice, Pennsylvania
Location in Pennsylvania
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| Country | United States |
| State | Pennsylvania |
| County | Bedford |
| Settled | 1848 |
| Incorporated | 1886 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Borough Council |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.51 sq mi (1.31 km2) |
| • Land | 0.50 sq mi (1.30 km2) |
| • Water | 0.01 sq mi (0.01 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,460 ft (450 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 316 |
| • Density | 630.74/sq mi (243.70/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| Zip code |
15550
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| Area code(s) | 814 |
| FIPS code | 42-46944 |
Manns Choice is a small town, also called a borough, located in Bedford County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. In 2020, about 316 people lived there. It's known for its interesting history and beautiful natural surroundings.
Contents
How Manns Choice Got Its Name
The town of Manns Choice got its unique name in 1848. A congressman named Job Mann wanted a post office for a village that didn't have a name yet. The Post Office Department agreed to open one.
Since the village had no official name, Congressman Mann was supposed to choose one. However, before he could, postal maps were made with a temporary name: "Mann's Choice." This temporary name stuck and became the town's permanent and official name.
Geography and Natural Features
Manns Choice is located in the western part of Bedford County. It sits in a valley near the Raystown Branch of the Juniata River. To the east, you can see Buffalo Mountain and Wills Mountain rising up.
The borough is mostly surrounded by Harrison Township. However, it also shares a border with Napier Township to the northwest.
Roads and Travel
Two main roads, Pennsylvania Routes 31 and 96, go through Manns Choice.
- Route 31 goes northeast for about 3.4 miles to U.S. Route 30, which is west of Bedford.
- Route 96 heads south for about 15 miles to Hyndman and 29 miles to Cumberland, Maryland.
- Routes 31 and 96 also go northwest out of town. Route 96 leads to Shawnee State Park and Schellsburg. Route 31 eventually leads to Somerset.
Interstate 76, also known as the Pennsylvania Turnpike, passes just north of the town. However, there isn't an exit directly into Manns Choice. The closest exit is in Bedford.
Area and Water
The United States Census Bureau says that Manns Choice covers a total area of about 1.31 square kilometers (0.51 square miles). A very small part of this, about 0.01 square kilometers (0.01 square miles), is water.
History and Local Economy
The town center of Manns Choice still has an old watering trough. This trough was once used to give water to horses pulling stagecoaches. These stagecoaches traveled across "the glades" (now Glades Pike) on their way to Fort Pitt, which is now Pittsburgh.
Since it was settled after the Revolutionary War, Manns Choice has mostly been a farming community. The farms and forests around the town were once land given to German mercenary soldiers. These soldiers, called Hessian Jägers, had pledged loyalty to General George Washington's army.
Early Inhabitants
Before the area was settled by Europeans, it was home to the Shawnee and Monongahela Native American tribes. These tribes lived near the many small creeks, river banks, and meadows. They managed the land in a way that kept it healthy and balanced. This natural environment still exists today in thousands of acres of state forests, parks, and farmlands.
Modern Industry
Today, farming is still the main industry in Manns Choice. One notable farm, Horn O' Plenty Farm and Freshtaurant, is known for new farming methods. It has helped other farmers in the region feel more confident about the future of agriculture.
Local Attractions
About 4 miles south of Manns Choice, in Harrison Township, is the historic White Sulphur Springs Hotel. Built in 1884, it started as a hotel and restaurant. Now, it's a retreat center for military service people and their families. It is run by a non-profit group called Officers Christian Fellowship. During the off-season, it also hosts conferences, business meetings, and banquets.
Manns Choice is also home to the Coral Caverns. These caverns contain the world's only fossilized coral reef that is open to the public. They have been a popular attraction since 1932.
Population Over Time
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1890 | 363 | — | |
| 1900 | 312 | −14.0% | |
| 1910 | 341 | 9.3% | |
| 1920 | 274 | −19.6% | |
| 1930 | 271 | −1.1% | |
| 1940 | 306 | 12.9% | |
| 1950 | 313 | 2.3% | |
| 1960 | 351 | 12.1% | |
| 1970 | 334 | −4.8% | |
| 1980 | 286 | −14.4% | |
| 1990 | 249 | −12.9% | |
| 2000 | 291 | 16.9% | |
| 2010 | 300 | 3.1% | |
| 2020 | 316 | 5.3% | |
| 2021 (est.) | 311 | 3.7% | |
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According to the census from 2000, there were 291 people living in Manns Choice. The population density was about 620 people per square mile. Most of the people living there (99.66%) were White.
The population was spread out across different age groups. About 28.2% of the people were under 18 years old. About 13.4% were 65 years old or older. The average age in the borough was 36 years.
See also
In Spanish: Manns Choice para niños
