Why Did Richmond Annex Manchester? History News by Michael C. Hild - August 20, 2017August 22, 201729 Did you know that Manchester was an independent city until it was annexed by the City of Richmond in 1910? If so, did you ever wonder why Manchester agreed to consolidate? As you could probably guess, it all came down to money. There were two arguments on the matter, and public relations efforts went into high gear on both sides. Those who wanted to consolidate saw a benefit in streamlining duplicate services, better bridge and rail connections, and increased commerce. Those who opposed annexation feared higher taxes, inferior services, and a more complex area for the City of Richmond to administer. From the Valentine’s history piece on the matter entitled Manchester: From Sister City to South Richmond: “Those Richmonders in favor of consolidation sought to benefit from Manchester’s industrial resources; to streamline manufacturing; to control over bridges; and to increase the city’s white population, which was stagnant and increasingly African American. Richmonders opposed to the merger forsaw increased expenses from administering another large district. In Manchester, citizens on both sides of the issue voiced strong sentiments. Pro-annexationists held a rally at the Leader Building on the evening of April 14, looking forward to expanded services and infrastructure. The Manchester Anti-Consolidation League, which held a concurrent rally across the street, warned that Manchester would not only lose its independence, but would have increased taxes while receiving inferior services.” Ultimately the City of Richmond agreed to annexation, but Manchester voters had to approve the consolidation. The annexation contingent ultimately prevailed. According to the Valentine: “At 10:20 A.M. on April 15, 1910, Judge Frank L. Christian of Lynchburg declared the election by Manchester voters in favor of consolidation with the City of Richmond. Manchester city employees then paraded to the Treasurer’s office to receive their final paychecks. Another parade, consisting of five automobiles carrying Manchester officials, crossed the James River Free (9th Street) Bridge and proceeded to Richmond City Hall.” I wonder if that same debate and resulting vote was held today would annexation prevail just like it did in 1910? Or would the independent contingent win the argument this time around? Regardless, it would certainly be an interesting debate to watch unfold. January 22, 1910 The Times Dispatch Manchester Presenting Her Keys to Greater Richmond 1910 Virginia Department of Public Works, “Map Showing Territorial Growth of Richmond, Department of Public Works, 1923.,” Online Exhibitions, accessed August 21, 2017. Photo Credits: The Valentine & Richmond Times-Dispatch SaveSave SaveSave SaveSave
The 1910 Sanborn map isn’t available online (as far as I can tell). The F.W. Beers map of 1876 is the best I can find online. I know Manchester expanded between 1876 and 1910 but I have to do some more digging and take a trip to the library Reply
Same thing happened to the town of ‘Rio Vista’, at Cary and Three Chopt’ around the same time. Im pretty sure Ginter Park had its own mayor as well until it was properly annexed in the teens Reply
@john m., here’s a GIS map showing the boundaries of the different annexations: https://chpn.net/2009/01/13/map-showing-territorial-growth-of-richmond-detail/ Apparently the Library of Virginia sells (or used to sell) a watercolor version: https://chpn.net/2009/01/13/map-showing-territorial-growth-of-richmond-detail/ Reply
I have added the territorial expansion map to the bottom of the article. Nice addition, had not seen that before! Reply
