Manhattan, Kansas was incorporated in 1857. It compares to Manhattan, in New York City, only in name.
 
After “the Big Apple” became famous in the 1970s, the Manhattan, Kansas Chamber of Commerce trademarked “The Little Apple” (1977). The nickname is still used today.
 
“Little Apple” is also used as a nickname for Ithaca (New York), Yonkers (New York) and Toronto (Canada). Roosevelt Island (New York City) used the “Little Apple” nickname in the 1970s.
   
   
Wikipedia: Manhattan, Kansas
Manhattan is a city located in the northeastern part of the state of Kansas in the United States, at the junction of the Kansas River and Big Blue River. It is the county seat of Riley County, although it also extends into Pottawatomie County. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 52,281. It is the principal city of the Manhattan metropolitan area which, as of 2012, had an estimated population of 97,810.
 
The city was founded by settlers from the New England Emigrant Aid Company as a Free-State town in the 1850s, during the Bleeding Kansas era. Nicknamed “The Little Apple” as a play on New York City’s “Big Apple”, Manhattan is today best known as being the home of Kansas State University and has a college town atmosphere. Eight miles (13 km) west of the city is Fort Riley, a United States Army post.
 
20 June 1990, New York (NY) Times, pg. CY2:
During the next 150 years, the two Manhattans evolved more or less independently, and the Manhattan on the plains, with a population of about 40,000, has maintained what appears to be a healthy indifference toward the one on the Hudson. A notable lapse occurred in the late 1970’s. when the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce chose “The Little Apple” as the town’s nickname.
 
12 December 1993, Syracuse (NY) Herald Journal, pg.(Illegible. NewspaperArchive has pg. 175 - ed.):
Yes, we have been there. Manhattan, Kan. (aka The Little Apple) is the type of city that impresses one as the ideal place to live. 
   
(Trademark)
Word Mark THE LITTLE APPLE
Goods and Services IC 035. US 100 101 102. G & S: chamber of commerce services, namely, promoting business and tourism in Manhattan, Kansas. FIRST USE: 19770404. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19770404
Mark Drawing Code (1) TYPED DRAWING
Serial Number 75196463
Filing Date November 8, 1996
Current Filing Basis 1A
Original Filing Basis 1A
Published for Opposition January 27, 1998
Registration Number 2151951
Registration Date April 21, 1998
Owner (REGISTRANT) Manhattan Chamber of Commerce CORPORATION KANSAS 555 Poyntz Ave Manhattan KANSAS 66502
Prior Registrations 1226284
Type of Mark SERVICE MARK
Register PRINCIPAL
Live/Dead Indicator LIVE
 
 
(Trademark)
Word Mark THE LITTLE APPLE
Goods and Services (CANCELLED) IC 042. US 100. G & S: Chamber of Commerce Services. FIRST USE: 19770404. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19770404
Mark Drawing Code (1) TYPED DRAWING
Serial Number 73296952
Filing Date February 13, 1981
Current Filing Basis 1A
Original Filing Basis 1A
Published for Opposition November 9, 1982
Registration Number 1226284
Registration Date February 1, 1983
Owner (REGISTRANT) Manhattan Chamber of Commerce CORPORATION KANSAS 505 Poyntz Manhattan KANSAS 66502
Attorney of Record Joseph B. Bowman
Type of Mark SERVICE MARK
Register PRINCIPAL
Affidavit Text SECT 15. SECT 8 (6-YR).
Live/Dead Indicator DEAD
Cancellation Date November 8, 2003