Manheim

Founded by an eccentric glassmaker named Henry William Stiegel in 1762, Manheim, Pennsylvania was born of entrepreneurship and the hardy, adventuresome spirit of early America.
Despite its founder's unfortunate financial downfall, Manheim made it through the Revolutionary War and continued to grow into a center of commerce for the surrounding farmland. Through the 20th century, Manheim continually grew in pride of its history and in modernization, as electric lights, piping, and paved roads built up the town's infrastructure. Today, Manheim remains rooted in industry but also offers visitors and residents a variety of boutiques, art studios, and community events. One can also stroll through the streets of Manheim as though walking through time itself, as many buildings from the early 1900s, the 1800s, and even two from the 1700s still grace the town's streets, making it an architectural gem.

April Lynn Gibble Downey was born and raised in Manheim. Her ancestry traces back to the town and the surrounding countryside for approximately 300 years. Today, she lives near Baltimore, Maryland, where she researches and writes about history and religion. Most of the images in this book were graciously provided by the Manheim Historical Society, which not only provides a heritage center in town but also hosts numerous community events.