Manhattan

General Information

• Latitude:45.810687
• Longitude:-111.331383
• Population:3846
• Density (people/square land mile):21.75
• Housing Units1515
• Land Area:176.82 sq. mi.
• Water Area:0.23 sq. mi.

In the 1880s, families from the Netherlands moved here to grow barley for malters near the new little town of Manhattan, named by a group of New York City investors who operated the Manhattan Malting Company. They settled together in a tightly knit society that continues to flourish today. By 1898, Manhattan had become quite important to the Valley, with about 150 inhabitants and a school enrollment of 75. There were two hotels, a general store, one meat market, two blacksmith shops, and one saloon. Today, Manhattan's most productive industries center on seed potatoes, dairy and wheat farms, commercial beef and registered cattle. There are also woodcarvers, artisans, and antiques dealers.