[2] The historic district contains a mix of commercial buildings, which include specialty stores, financial institutions, healthcare, and professional offices.

There were two commercial buildings designed by architects Samuel P. Hart of Carroll, Iowa and Charles W. Steinbaugh of Omaha.

Two destructive fires in 1891 and 1895 had a significant impact in shaping Manning's commercial district.

The city council enacted an ordinance in 1977 that required all new buildings and any remodeled facades to use a Bavarian theme to honor Manning's German heritage.

[2] The ordinance was revoked in 2008 as part of the growing historic preservation movement in Manning.