The Village of Manlius is located 30 minutes outside of the City of Syracuse. The land was settled in the late 1700s and grew out of the almost endless farmable soil, and surrounding water sources. Kathy Crowell a former Town and Village of Manlius historian wrote multiple articles that share her discoveries. Her work revealed that the towns’ population was not recorded in the US census until the early 1900s. The first 1314 individuals of the village were documented in 1913 in cooperation with the US census. On April 30, 1842 Manlius was incorporated as the Village of Manlius, shortly following the first village officials were selected. It wasn’t until 1985 that the three villages of Fayetteville, Manlius, and Minoa united as one, creating the Town of Manlius (Fayetteville And Its Industries).

Above: A picture of the Town of Manlius depicting the three villages in proximity to each other.

Above: A picture of the Town of Manlius depicting the three villages in proximity to each other.

As noted above the three villages maintained their own police departments, post offices, and residential structures, but through a municipal agreement, the villages unified to eliminate duplicate services, improve delivery and transportation routes, as well as promote town-planning standards (Lowenberg). The Village of Manlius within the greater of the Town, has a diverse and rich history that was established through the migration, settlement, and evolution of the three villages.

The Village of Manlius in the late 1700s was a peaceful and desirable location for anybody who was seeking fertile land with abundant access to water. According to Early Settlers and Development of The Town of Manlius, the original settlers built the first log cabin farm home in 1804. Kathy Crowell noted that these settlers were primarily farmers, Industrial workers, and businessmen that ran their own tannery operations and taverns. Educators, various businessmen, as well as religious leaders (often Presbyterian), were also present by the early 1800s and helped establish the village center that consisted of a tavern, tanneries and other industrial factories, as well as the local post office (IBID Crowell 1893). It seems only fit to show the evolution of Manlius by examining the surrounding towns that acted as a catalyst for its transformation from farmland into a busy and prosperous village.

The City of Syracuse Erie Canal at Salina Street September 1837
The City of Syracuse Erie Canal at Salina Street September 1837
This installation was extremely beneficial to the Village of Fayetteville and laid a vital foundation. Fayetteville proximity to the canal influenced more industrial development; Manlius was supported the majority residential development and holds the majority of the population. Migration from Minoa to Fayetteville and Fayetteville to Manlius and was sparked when individuals chose to move away from the center of industry.
Passenger train station Minoa NY
Passenger train station Minoa NY
As Erie Canal and the Mohawk Hudson rail increased the local population and created a demand from more jobs; many individuals took advantage of this new market. Locals as well as foreigners (often European immigrants from the City of Syracuse) began to see the business potential of the region. Almost overnight manufacturing, farming, as well as educational and religious institutions were constructed. A reference to A History Of Manlius Village discovered that institutions were built to support a higher class of individuals that often left the City of Syracuse or surrounding villages to seek a quiet and safe environment. By the mid to late 1800s this attractive, upper-class feel lured individuals to the village’s beautiful land, churches and prestigious educational and business institutions.

Episcopal Church Fayetteville NY 1885
Episcopal Church Fayetteville NY 1885

First Presbyterian Church

First Presbyterian Church

Fayetteville Paper Mill 1882
Fayetteville Paper Mill 1882

This manual labor trend set the work ethic for the area and prosperity shortly followed the Depression and World War II.

As previously stated the number of returning veterans and the growing wealth of the area after WWII attracted new individuals and new business opportunities. Educational institutions, churches, shops and factories sprung up over night in the Village and surrounding areas (IBID Schaacks). The growing prosperity and cleaner quieter surrounding areas were a desirable location for returning veterans and new settlers. The town of Manlius and the Village of Manlius specifically accepted these individuals. According to the 1960 census the population was 1,997 individuals in a village composed of 629 homes. By 1970 the population jumped to 4,295 individuals in 1,339 homes. This resulted in Manlius Village experiencing a 115% change in population over the previous decade (Graph C). This is directly correlated to the Baby Boom Generation. As commercial success followed WWII, the population increase causes a demand for housing. Between 1960 and 1970, over 700 new homes were built to sustain the growing population. The average household in the Village of Manlius housed a family of 4.5 individuals congruent with the national average. The demand for housing provided the new growing population with careers in the field of construction and planning. The towns’ manual labor mindset paired with technological advancement and commercial success laid the foundation for Manlius’ successful future.
Seth Kevlon’ article Manlius Now detailed the successes of Manlius. Family businesses and plentiful factory and farm work quickly drew settlers. By 1980 the Village had a peak population of 5,241, the commercial region had over 70 local businesses that were a result of commercial success in the 60s-70s. By the late 1900 and early 2000 the number of homes in Manlius Village had leveled around 2000, and the population levels around 4700 individuals. In 2000, the average household income was $45,000. By 2010 the average household consists of 5.5 individuals with an average income of $65,000. According to Kevlon the slight decrease in population of the area over the most recent years is a result of the current economic recession; unfortunately a high percentage of entrepreneurs in that once resided in the area have since left to seek more active economic markets.

The Village of Manlius has had a rich and powerful history that has shown growth and prosperity. From a small farmable settling village, to a much larger and successful commercial and democratic entity, The Village of Manlius is a safe and healthy place to live. The growth this village has seen set the foundation for its structural, transportation, and communal development. The hard working mindset of the area promotes personal and social success and is highlighted by the family operated stores in shops that remain. Although the current population has leveled around 4,700 individuals this village and surrounding Town of Manlius has plenty of space to grow. The future of Manlius will remain in the hand of its community and will continue to grow as young educated students return home to make it a better place.

GRAPHS AND CHARTS:

Graph A:

The population of Manlius Village according to U.S Census

Graph B:

Number of Homes in Manlius Village According to U.S Census

Graph C:

Both population and number of homes in Manlius Village according to U.S census

Movement Diagram of Manlius Village:

Bibliography

TEXT:
Clinton, D. (2006). Life Along The Erie Canal (pp. 34-37). N.p.: Humanities. Retrieved September 26, 2013, from EBSCOhost

Crowell, K. (1893). Early Settlers And The Development of The Town of Manlius. Fayetteville, NY: The Fayetteville Recorder. Retrieved September 26, 2013, from Roots Web.

Crowell, K. (1903). Fayetteville And Its Industries Causes Which Have Contributed to the Success of the Village. Fayetteville, NY: The Fayetteville Recorder. Retrieved September 26, 2013, from Roots Web.

Crowell, L. (1997). Rail Roads. Minoa, NY: Minoa Chronicle. Retrieved September 26, 2013, from Roots Web.

Lowenberg, R. (2008, January). Manlius Village History. Retrieved October 21, 2013, from TownofManlius.org

Kevlon, S. (2010). Manlius Now. Retrieved November 1, 2013, from EBSCOhost

Roberts, S. M. and Schein, R. H. (1993), The Entrepreneurial City: Fabricating Urban Development in Syracuse, New York. The Professional Geographer. Retrieved October 21, 2013, From Google Books

Van Schaack, H. C. (1873). A History of Manlius Village (pp. 9-20). Fayetteville, NY: The Recorder Office. Retrieved September 26, 2013, from Hathitrust .

PICTURES:
Locator Maps on Cover:
Google Images “Town of Manlius Locator Maps”

The City of Syracuse Erie Canal at Salina Street September 1837:
From Roots Web K. Crowell

Passenger Train Station Minoa NY:
From Roots Web “Images of Minoa”

Episcopal Church Fayetteville NY 1885:
From Roots Web “Historical Imaged of Fayetteville”

First Presbyterian Church of Fayetteville:
From Roots Web “Historical Images of Fayetteville”

Fayetteville Paper Mill 1882:
From “Fayetteville-Free-Library.org”