North Manchester blends farming roots with community growth
North Manchester balances history with progress in northern Indiana’s agricultural heartland. The community of about 5,000 people has a slower pace of life, a growing small business scene and a vibrant parks system within a 30-minute drive of Warsaw and Wabash. “We’re mostly a rural community, and agriculture is a big part of business here,” says Heather Cruz, executive director of Manchester Alive, which was formed in 2019 by merging the town’s Main Street alliance and chamber of commerce. “We’re home to Manchester University and a retirement community, so we have a very diverse population in that sense. We’ve got great neighbors that take pride in what they’re doing, and there’s someone at every turn working to make it better. We’ve got a lot of amenities for a town of our size.”
20th-century homes at a lower cost than Warsaw
Mature trees and sidewalks line the quiet residential streets of Manchester. There’s a variety of styles, including bungalow, Colonial Revival, Victorian and National-style homes built in the early 1900s. Buyers can also find farmhouses in the country and new builds in subdivisions. The median price of a single-family home is $200,000, which is higher than Wabash’s median of $160,000 and lower than the Warsaw median of roughly $260,000.
Local leaders nurture new businesses in historic downtown district
Developed between 1870 and the late 1930s, downtown North Manchester is a walkable hub of commerce and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. “We’ve done a lot of work in our downtown area for livability and accessibility,” Cruz says, including the creation of The Coop. “The Coop is a small business incubator that was created by Manchester Alive. It currently houses six separate businesses, including three boutiques and a soap company, and they’re all new to downtown. The goal is to connect these businesses with support services, test out the market, and we want to get these businesses on their feet so they can eventually fly the coop.” All told, the community has more than 20 restaurants and more than two dozen small businesses, shops and services.
North Manchester has a thriving agricultural industry, and locals can grab fresh produce at one of several farms and orchards in the area. Berry Hill Farm offers pick-your-own blueberries in the summer, while The Pumpkin Post is a go-to spot for mums, gourds and autumnal goodies.
Parks system includes green space, trails and Eel River access
North Manchester has a diverse parks and recreation system that includes six parks and recreational facilities and the Strauss-Peabody Aquatic and Fitness Center. At 10 acres, Warvel Park is the city’s largest green space with a playground, picnic areas and wooded trails past waterfalls. Officials hope to add pickleball courts to Warvel Park’s amenities. Ogan’s Landing is the newest park and features a canoe and kayak launch on the Eel River. “The Eel River is a great family-friendly float,” Cruz says. “It’s a nice, easy river. There are several different treks for tubing that are between three and four hours, depending on which one you take.”
Public schools and a private university
Kids can attend Manchester Community Schools, which receives a B-plus rating from Niche. The district has about 1,500 students enrolled in the elementary, intermediate and junior-senior high schools. High schoolers can take career and technical education courses at Heartland Career Center in Wabash, and some courses are eligible for dual credit. Manchester University is a private Christian university with about 1,300 students and 70 undergraduate degree offerings. The university is known for its nursing program and the Peace Studies Institute and Program for Conflict Resolution, the first undergraduate peace studies major in the nation.
Festive Fridays and family friendly events energize downtown
The community has a variety of events throughout the year, including a free summer concert series at Ogan’s Landing and a weekly farmers market from May through September. Main Street buzzes with activity and music during Second Fridays, which invites residents to shop, dine and gather downtown. The annual Harvest Fest offers food, fun and entertainment for all ages in October, while kids get to tell Santa what’s on their wish list during the Small Town Christmas and Parade of Lights.
Within a 30-minute drive of Wabash and Warsaw
Many residents commute 20 miles, or roughly 30 minutes, to the employment hub of Warsaw. Wabash is about 15 miles south. Fort Wayne and Fort Wayne International Airport are within a 35-mile drive. There are several primary care offices in North Manchester, but the closest emergency room is at Parkview Wabash Hospital.
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Written By
Leslie Klosterman
