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Back-to-Back Villages:  Shortsville and Manchester

Shortsville takes its name from Theophilus Short who came to the area in 1804 and built flour and saw mills on The Outlet.  Water-power was also the basis for the construction of a woolen mill in 1812 which inspired townspeople to name their community “Manchester”, after England’s cloth manufacturing center. With the arrival of the Lehigh Valley Railroad in the 1890s, the communities experienced a “mini boom” of growth, with Manchester becoming a division point where crews and locomotives were exchanged. 

The Lehigh Valley Railroad Historical Society, housed in the former New York Central Freight Depot in Shortsville, is preserving the history, artifacts and memories of the railroad era for future generations.  The Society, in cooperation with the Finger Lakes Scenic Railway, sponsors several rail excursions during the year.  One of the most popular excursions is the Santa Train. www.lvrrhs.org 

Another popular event is the Annual Moonlight Bike Ride, sponsored by the Shortsville-Manchester Area Chamber of Commerce.  Set to coincide with the full moon in August, bicyclists of all ages meet in downtown Shortsville for a 1 to 1 ½ hour tour, ending up back on Main Street for an open invitation party circulating between local restaurants – The Depot Restaurant (a restored Railroad depot), Buffalo Bills Family Restaurant & Tap Room, and Shorty’s Pizza.   What a great way to get to meet a community!

Travelers to the Finger Lakes Region will find a host of tourist services just off NYS Thruway Exit 43 at the intersection of Routes 21 and 96 in Manchester. The four corners include a full service restaurant, a 24-hour convenience store, a McDonald’s Restaurant, and two motels.  The 38-room, family owned and operated, Roadside Inn offers the traveler an ideal location for visiting the area attractions.  Amenities include continental breakfasts, and dial-up internet in every room. Senior specials and web specials make the Roadside Inn very affordable. www.roadsideinn43.com   

Recreational opportunities are also on the agenda in Shortsville and Manchester.  Winged Pheasant Golf Links, located on Sandhill Road, just off Route 96 has been rated 3-stars by Golf Digest. www.wingedpheasant.com.The communities are part of the cross-county Snowmobile Trails System. White water enthusiasts will also find action on Canandaigua Outlet in the Spring.  Anglers have no trouble finding great stream fishing on the Outlet and area creeks. The Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a Finger Lakes Regional Outdoor Recreation Show in November at Red Jacket High School to highlight outdoor activities available to families from late fall through early spring.

The back-to-back villages of Shortsville and Manchester are much more than can be seen from the main drag of Route 21.  Take a side trip and experience a bit a Americana at its best.  For more information on the “twin cities” visit the chamber’s website at www.shortsvillemanchesterareachamberofcommerce.com.