Manheim Township administrative offices are located at 5191 Wool Mill Road, Glenville, PA 17329.
Phone: 717-229-2862.
Neighborhoods
Early Settlement and Formation
Pennsylvania's first counties were established in 1681 under a charter granted to William Penn by King Charles II of England. Settlement initially occurred east of the Susquehanna River until the Indian Treaty of 1736 extended Lancaster County's limits westward. Between 1739 and 1743, German immigrants from the Palatinate and German Baptist Brethren (Dunkers) from the Upper Rhine settled in what would become Manheim Township.
In 1740, Michael Danner, a prominent Dunker leader, purchased a large tract of land from William Penn's heirs within the present limits of Manheim and surrounding townships. When township boundaries were formally established in 1747, Danner petitioned the Lancaster court to name it "Manheim" after the historic town of Manheim on the Rhine River in Germany. Danner also led a petition by German signers to create a new county seat west of the Susquehanna River and served on a five-member commission that laid out York County in 1749.
Territorial Changes
Manheim Township underwent several boundary modifications over the years. In 1750, Heidelberg Township was separated from Manheim, taking with it the site of Hanover Borough and a section of what is now Adams County. In 1816, responding to a petition to annex the northern portion, Manheim was reduced to encompass its current area plus what would become West Manheim. The formation of West Manheim Township as a separate entity occurred in 1858.
Border Disputes
The southwestern portion of York County, including the Hanover area, experienced early settlement complications due to land grants issued under Maryland authority between 1729 and 1732. A temporary boundary line between Pennsylvania and Maryland was not established until 1739. The famous Mason-Dixon Line finally delineated the permanent border in 1768.
Agricultural Development
Manheim Township was originally established as an agricultural area and has maintained this character throughout its history. Early farming practices involved clearing timber from the land and planting crops such as wheat, barley, and corn. However, these practices led to soil depletion, eventually rendering the land suitable only for buckwheat cultivation. When fields lost their productivity, farmers would abandon them and clear new tracts. Over time, improved farming practices and the introduction of fertilizers helped restore and replenish the agricultural areas.
Villages and Industry
The township developed around two small villages: Marburg in the north and Black Rock near the Maryland border. In 1792, Manheim became home to the first paper mill known to exist west of the Susquehanna River. Dub's Mill, located on a branch of the Codorus Creek near Marburg, became one of the notable landmarks in southwestern York County and served as one of the region's pioneer grist mills.
Modern Location and Access
Manheim Township is situated at the southeastern edge of the Hanover Area, which comprises Hanover Borough, Penn Township, West Manheim Township, and Heidelberg Township. Pennsylvania Route 216 runs through the township, traversing southern York County and dividing Manheim Township while providing access to Interstate 83 and connecting to Hanover, York, and Baltimore.
† Adapted from: manheimtwpyorkpa.org, accessed January, 2026.
Nearby Towns: Codorus Twp • Heidelberg Twp • Jefferson Boro • Manchester Town • North Cordorus Twp • Penn Twp • West Manheim Twp •