Timeline of Manchester, New Hampshire facts for kids

This is a timeline showing important events in the history of Manchester, a city in New Hampshire, United States. A timeline helps us see how a place has changed and grown over many years!

Early Days (Before 1800s)

• 1722 – A man named John Goffe settles in a place called Old Harry's Town. This was in the British area known as the Province of New Hampshire.
• 1723 – A small cabin was built, and slowly, more people came to live there.
• 1727 – The area was officially named Tyngstown.
• 1736 – The very first sawmill was built, which helped cut wood for buildings.
• 1751 – Tyngstown got a new name: "Derryfield."
• 1788 – New Hampshire officially became one of the states in the United States.
• 1796 – The Derryfield Social Library was started, giving people a place to read books.

The 1800s: Growth and Industry

• 1807 – A canal was built by Samuel Blodgett. Canals helped boats move goods easily.
• 1810
  • Derryfield was renamed "Manchester." This new name was chosen because it sounded like Manchester, England, a famous industrial city.
  • The Amoskeag Cotton & Woolen Manufacturing Company was officially started. This company would become very important for the city.
• 1823 – The population of Manchester was 761 people.
• 1839
  • The Amoskeag Representative newspaper started printing the news.
  • The First Congregational Society and the First Baptist Church were officially formed.
• 1840 – The population grew a lot, reaching 3,235 people!
• 1841
  • The First Unitarian Church was built.
  • Valley Cemetery was created.
• 1842 – Ann Bamford began helping people escape slavery through the Underground Railway.
• 1844 – The Manchester Athenaeum was set up, which was a place for learning and culture.
• 1846
  • Manchester officially became a city!
  • Manchester High School was established, offering education to older students.
• 1849 – The Manchester and Lawrence Railroad started running, making travel and trade easier.
• 1850
  • The Manchester Daily Mirror newspaper began publication.
  • The City Missionary Society was established to help people in need.
• 1851 – Manchester hosted the state fair, bringing many visitors to the city.
• 1852 – The Manchester Gas Light Co. was started, providing gas for lighting homes and streets.
• 1854
  • The Manchester City Library was established, giving more people access to books.
  • The Manchester Locomotive Works was formed, building powerful train engines.
• 1860 – The population continued to grow, reaching 8,841 people.
• 1863 – The Union Leader newspaper, which is still around today, began publishing.
• 1869
  • Manchester became the main city for Hillsborough County.
  • The Cathedral of St. Joseph was founded.
  • St. Joseph Cemetery opened.
• 1870 – The population jumped to 23,509 people!
• 1874 – The Ash Street School was built.
• 1880 – The population reached 33,592.
• 1889 – Saint Anselm College was established nearby in Goffstown.
• 1890 – The population was 44,126.
• 1890 – Elliot Hospital was founded, providing important healthcare for the community.
• 1892
  • The Beech Street Grounds baseball stadium opened for games.
  • Sacred Heart Hospital was founded.
• 1893 – Stark Park was officially opened to the public.
• 1895 – The Manchester Historical Association was established to preserve the city's history.
• 1897 – The Weston Observatory was built, used for looking at the stars.
• 1898 – The Manchester Institute of Arts and Sciences was founded.
• 1900 – The population grew to 56,987 people.

The 1900s: Modern Times

• 1906 – The Strand Theatre opened in the old Opera House building.
• 1910
  • The population reached 70,063.
  • Manchester celebrated its 100th birthday as a city!
• 1912 – The Empire Theater was built.
• 1913 – Textile Field sports stadium was built.
• 1914 – The Palace Theatre and a new Public Library building were completed.
• 1922 – Manchester Central High School was renamed, adding "Central" to its name.
• 1923 – Manchester High School West was established, giving students another high school option.
• 1927 – Manchester Airport was established, connecting the city by air.
• 1929 – The Currier Gallery of Art was founded, showcasing beautiful artworks.
• 1932 – The New Hampshire School of Accounting and Secretarial Science was founded. Today, it's known as Southern New Hampshire University.
• 1935 – The huge Amoskeag Mills closed down. This was a big change for Manchester.
• 1942 – Grenier Army Airfield was dedicated, playing a role in World War II.
• 1945 – The State Trade School at Manchester was founded.
• 1950 – The Zimmerman House was designed by the famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright.
• 1954 – WMUR began broadcasting, bringing television to the area.
• 1960 – Manchester Memorial High School opened.
• 1963 – The John F. Kennedy Memorial Coliseum opened, a place for sports and events.
• 1964 – The Derryfield School was established.
• 1966 – Grenier Air Force Base closed.
• 1971 – McIntyre Ski Area opened, offering winter fun.
• 1973 – The Manchester Transit Authority was founded, helping people get around the city by bus.
• 1977 – The Mall of New Hampshire opened, a popular shopping center.
• 1980 – The population reached 90,936.
• 1985 – The University of New Hampshire at Manchester was established, offering higher education.
• 1988 – Manchester became a "sister city" with Taichung, Taiwan, building friendships between cities.
• 1992 – Manchester also became a sister city with Neustadt an der Weinstraße, Germany.
• 1998 – The city's website went online, making information easily available.
• 1999 – Robert A. Baines became the mayor of Manchester.

The 2000s: New Millennium

• 2000
  • The Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences opened a campus in Manchester.
  • Holy Family Academy was established.
• 2001
  • The Civic arena opened, hosting concerts and sports.
  • The Hippo newspaper began publication.
• 2005
  • Fisher Cats Ballpark opened, home to a baseball team.
  • Segway Fest was held, celebrating the unique personal transporters.
• 2006 – The Manchester Daily Express newspaper began publication.
• 2010
  • Ted Gatsas became mayor.
  • The population reached 109,565 people.
• 2018 – Joyce Craig became mayor.
• 2024 – Jay Ruais became mayor.

Images for kids

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  Military parade in Manchester, 1874

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  Map of Manchester, 1876

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  The Merrimack River during a flood in 2005

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  Candidate Hillary Clinton visiting Manchester in 2007

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  The Currier Museum after its renovation in 2008