- Manchester owes its existence to Ulysses Grant. While
Washington was still a territory,
- President Grant signed letter of patent that granted 53 acres of what is now
downtown Manchester
- to Issac Ellis.
- Located in a growth of virgin timber next to waterfront, the people worked as
loggers, mill workers
- and farmers. The settlement was known "Brooklyn". In 1892, Brooklyn was
renamed "Manchester" after the large English seaport.
- In the early days it was necessary for the residents to row out and signal for
boats to stop if they needed to go to other towns. Many rowed as far as Seattle.
Later a float was built large enough
- to accommodate several people. When signaled the boats stopped. A dock was
finally constructed in 1908. Then a steamboat established a regular
schedule serving Manchester, Colby, South Colby, Harper, Southworth, Seattle and
occasionally Olalla. Finally in 1925 a dock was built for the ferry line.
- The annual 4th of July fireworks celebration in Manchester began in 1907.
- Everyday, at sunrise and sunset, the U.S. Government installation in Manchester
fired a cannon to signal Fort Ward on Bainbridge Island to lower the flag. Folks that
lived in the area who knew the official times for this event would set their clocks at the
blast.
- Manchester still retains its small town charm.
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- Excerpts from The Port Orchard Independent.
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