Manheim Borough - Connected to its Roots, Looking Toward the Future
The historic borough of Manheim sits 11 miles northwest of Lancaster, and 13 miles from Lebanon, PA. Manheim is bordered to the west by Rapho Township and to the east by Penn Township, and the borough is surrounded by beautiful Lancaster County farmland.
This borough packs a punch of history—founded by “Baron” Henry Stiegel in 1792, and even Sarah Franklin Bache, daughter of Benjamin Franklin, moved to a home on the northeast corner of Market Square in Manheim during the British occupation of Philadelphia, during the Revolutionary War. The borough was named after Kerpen-Manheim in Germany.
Manheim was laid out by Henry William Stiegel in 1762 on a land tract in Rapho Township, though it was only incorporated in 1838. For about a decade in the eighteenth century, Henry Stiegel, a German immigrant, produced high-quality glassware. To this day, locals refer to him as “Baron” Stiegel, despite his lack of a European pedigree. Stiegel never officially used the title but probably adopted it informally at some point and allowed his employees and neighbors to use it. Stiegel set out to build an industrial empire and founded the Manheim Glassworks. After financial failure, he was forced to sell the development in 1775. After several failed attempts at resurrecting the glassworks, it closed in 1780. The legacy of Stiegel Glass still lives on as it is highly valued by collectors who consider it fine art.
The Manheim Borough Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2000.
The first railroad train came into Manheim on January 1, 1862, with the completion of the first division of the Columbia and Reading Railroad. In 1884, another forward step was the laying of water pipes and the beginning of service by the Manheim Electric Company, which set up a plant in Bomberger’s Mill at the end of Mill Street.
A quote from the borough’s website says it all:
“Welcome to Manheim Borough where we blend community spirit and rich history blend. Founded in 1762 by Baron Stiegel, Manheim balances its deep-rooted traditions and eye towards growth. The historic buildings and thriving local businesses showcase the hard work, collaboration, and pride. We take great pride in our warm and welcoming community and invite visitors and newcomers to experience what makes Manheim unique. Whether you’re here to explore, settle down, or enjoy a day out, you’ll find a borough deeply connected to its roots while eagerly looking toward the future. We can’t wait to show you all the beautiful things Manheim offers!”
The historic buildings and thriving local businesses showcase the hard work, collaboration, and pride residents have in their community.
