Manchester Begins Demolition of Longstanding Pants Factory on 7th Street

Crews moved in on Jan. 8 to begin the staged removal of Manchester’s longtime pants factory, a brick industrial landmark that once employed generations of area residents. Known for decades as the Hercules Trouser Company, the facility produced men’s trousers for national brands through the mid and late twentieth century. As production declined and the building fell into limited use, the structure deteriorated into a safety and environmental concern for the village.

The project only became possible after state funding was secured to cover demolition, hazardous material removal, and environmental cleanup. State Representative Justin Pizzulli helped draw attention to the site and to securing the support needed to move the work forward. Without that assistance, village leaders say the property likely would have remained a long-term liability rather than the potential asset it is becoming.

Work is being carried out section by section to ensure debris and any potential contaminants are managed according to state guidelines. Contractors are removing visible structures and addressing underlying foundations and soil that may have been affected by decades of industrial use. The careful approach is designed to protect workers and nearby residents from exposure and to leave a site that is safe and ready for future planning.

The demolition marks the end of an era for Manchester. For much of the factory’s life, parking lots were full, nearby streets saw steady traffic, and local stores benefited from a stable employer that supported families across the Ohio River corridor. Those economic ties faded as garment production shifted elsewhere in the country and overseas, leaving behind not only a physical structure but also the social and financial dislocation that accompanies industrial decline.

Locally, removing the blighted building removes an obstacle to investment and public safety. Village leaders are now considering a range of possible futures for the cleared property, including business development, housing, or community-centered uses. Any redevelopment will depend on future partners, planning decisions, and funding, but having a remediated parcel positions Manchester to compete for projects and to signal readiness to outside investors.

The effort in Manchester is part of a broader Adams County push to address aging and abandoned properties through similar funding and cleanup strategies. By converting unsafe, contaminated parcels into usable land, county officials aim to open space for jobs, services, and housing in places that once supported active commerce. The removal of the pants factory is both a physical transformation of 7th Street and a reminder of the community work required to honor past livelihoods while creating more equitable economic opportunities for the future.