Hancock, Michigan
Encyclopedia
Hancock is a city
in Houghton County
; the northernmost in the U.S. state
of Michigan
, located on the Keweenaw Peninsula
, or, depending on terminology, Copper Island
. The population was 4,634 at the 2010 census. It is the sister city of Porvoo
, Finland
.
The city was named after John Hancock
.
The land on which Hancock was built was originally owned by James Hicks.
The earliest building in what is now the City of Hancock was a log cabin erected in 1846 on the site of the Ruggles Mining Claim; it is no longer standing, the site taken up by the Houghton County Garage buildings. It was owned by Christopher Columbus (C.C.) Douglass who came to live there in 1852. The Quincy Mining Company founded Hancock in 1859 after purchasing land from Douglass and building an office and mine on the site.
Hancock's first store was built by the Leopold brothers in 1858; the store also housed the first post office. Samuel Hill, an agent for the Quincy Mining Company, platted Hancock Village in 1859. Although it was organized and officers elected in 1863, the village was not incorporated until 1875 under a charter amended in 1877.
In 1860, the Portage Lake smelter
opened in Hancock.
In 1869 a fire burnt down about 75% of the village. There was also a significant fire in the 1940s that destroyed much of the downtown.
The Mineral Range Railroad began providing passenger and freight service between Hancock and Calumet in 1873.
Hancock was incorporated as a city in 1903.
, the city has a total area of 2.8 mi2, of which 2.5 mi2 is land and 0.3 mi2 (12.28%) is water. Hancock is connected to Houghton
, Michigan by the Portage Lake Lift Bridge
, which crosses the dredged Keweenaw Waterway
.
The city is bounded on the south by the Portage Canal, parts of Quincy
, Hancock
and Franklin
Townships; on the east by West Ripley; and on the north by Quincy and Hancock Townships
.
, with typically long and snowy winters and much lake effect snow
.
and Heikki Lunta
, the Finnish god of snow
.
Every summer, the cities of Hancock and neighboring Houghton host a festival known as "Bridgefest," to commemorate the building of the Portage Lake Lift Bridge
.
of 2000, there were 4,323 people, 1,769 households, and 902 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1727.5 PD/sqmi. There were 1,983 housing units at an average density of 792.4 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 95.95% White, 0.76% Black or African American
, 0.93% Native American, 1.06% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.23% from other races
, and 1.04% from two or more races. 0.76% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 32.2% were of Finnish
, 14.4% German
, 8.2% English
, 5.3% Italian
, and 5.2% French
ancestry according to Census 2000. 94.4% spoke English
and 4.4% Finnish
as their first language.
There were 1,769 households out of which 23.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.2% were married couples
living together, 9.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 49.0% were non-families. 38.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.22 and the average family size was 2.97.
In the city the population was spread out with 19.0% under the age of 18, 18.0% from 18 to 24, 22.6% from 25 to 44, 20.1% from 45 to 64, and 20.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 98.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $28,118, and the median income for a family was $36,625. Males had a median income of $27,090 versus $22,150 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $16,669. About 6.9% of families and 14.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.0% of those under age 18 and 15.1% of those age 65 or over.
neighborhood is part of the city and consists of many old Victorian-style houses which were once owned by mining company officials.
Doctors' Park, located in West Hancock near the former Portage View Hospital Building (now the Portage Campus of Finlandia University
). It lies north of West Quincy Street.
The Quincy Street Historic District
encompasses the center of Hancock's downtown, covering the 100, 200, and 300 blocks of Quncy Street.
, founder of Pewabic Pottery
, "escaped the 1869 fire"; it is now called Pewabic House and run as a museum.
The Kerredge Gallery and the Republic Bank
Gallery are both located inside the Copper Country Community Arts Center.
Turquoise Art Gallery is also located in Hancock.
(formerly Suomi College). Several parts of the campus of Michigan Technological University
are also located in Hancock, including a former MTU "underground classroom" in Quincy Mine.
and Copper Harbor
. To the south and east U S41 routes to Houghton
and Marquette
. routes north to Hubbell
, Lake Linden
and Laurium, Michigan
. Before reaching its ending in Copper Harbor, M-26 follows a scenic stretch along Lake Superior
serves as a connector to McLain State Park
.
bus lines operates a terminal at the Shottle Bop Party Store, 125 Quincy Street. Until January 31, 2007 this was operated by Greyhound Bus Lines.
Hancock Public Transit operates a demand bus which will take riders to anywhere in Hancock, Houghton, or Ripley
.
(CMX) is often said to serve Houghton, although it is closer to Hancock, and its mailing address is Calumet.
City
A city is a relatively large and permanent settlement. Although there is no agreement on how a city is distinguished from a town within general English language meanings, many cities have a particular administrative, legal, or historical status based on local law.For example, in the U.S...
in Houghton County
Houghton County, Michigan
-National protected areas:* Keweenaw National Historical Park * Ottawa National Forest -Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 36,016 people, 13,793 households, and 8,137 families residing in the county. The population density was 36 people per square mile . There were 17,748 housing...
; the northernmost in the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
, located on the Keweenaw Peninsula
Keweenaw Peninsula
The Keweenaw Peninsula is the northern-most part of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. It projects into Lake Superior and was the site of the first copper boom in the United States. As of the 2000 census, its population was roughly 43,200...
, or, depending on terminology, Copper Island
Copper Island
Copper Island is a local name given to the northern part of the Keweenaw Peninsula , separated from the rest of the Keweenaw Peninsula by Portage Lake and the Keweenaw Waterway.- Geography :The area was "isolated" by dredging in 1859 and construction in the...
. The population was 4,634 at the 2010 census. It is the sister city of Porvoo
Porvoo
Porvoo is a city and a municipality situated on the southern coast of Finland approximately east of Helsinki. Porvoo is one of the six medieval towns in Finland, first mentioned as a city in texts from 14th century...
, Finland
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
.
The city was named after John Hancock
John Hancock
John Hancock was a merchant, statesman, and prominent Patriot of the American Revolution. He served as president of the Second Continental Congress and was the first and third Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts...
.
History
The earliest building in what is now the City of Hancock was a log cabin erected in 1846 on the site of the Ruggles Mining Claim; it is no longer standing, the site taken up by the Houghton County Garage buildings. It was owned by Christopher Columbus (C.C.) Douglass who came to live there in 1852. The Quincy Mining Company founded Hancock in 1859 after purchasing land from Douglass and building an office and mine on the site.
Hancock's first store was built by the Leopold brothers in 1858; the store also housed the first post office. Samuel Hill, an agent for the Quincy Mining Company, platted Hancock Village in 1859. Although it was organized and officers elected in 1863, the village was not incorporated until 1875 under a charter amended in 1877.
In 1860, the Portage Lake smelter
Detroit and Lake Superior Smelter
The Detroit and Lake Superior Smelter was a copper smelter located near Hancock, Michigan on the Keweenaw Waterway. It was opened in 1860 by the Portage Lake Copper Company. The company later merged with the Waterbury and Detroit Copper Company to form the Detroit and Lake Superior Company....
opened in Hancock.
In 1869 a fire burnt down about 75% of the village. There was also a significant fire in the 1940s that destroyed much of the downtown.
The Mineral Range Railroad began providing passenger and freight service between Hancock and Calumet in 1873.
Hancock was incorporated as a city in 1903.
Geography
According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 2.8 mi2, of which 2.5 mi2 is land and 0.3 mi2 (12.28%) is water. Hancock is connected to Houghton
Houghton, Michigan
Houghton is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan's Upper Peninsula and largest city in the Copper Country on the Keweenaw Peninsula. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 7,708. It is the county seat of Houghton County...
, Michigan by the Portage Lake Lift Bridge
Portage Lake Lift Bridge
The Portage Lake Lift Bridge connects the cities of Hancock and Houghton, Michigan, USA, across Portage Lake, a portion of the waterway which cuts across the Keweenaw Peninsula with a canal linking the final several miles to Lake Superior to the northwest...
, which crosses the dredged Keweenaw Waterway
Keweenaw Waterway
The Keweenaw Waterway is a partly natural, partly artificial waterway which cuts across the Keweenaw Peninsula of Michigan; it separates Copper Island from the mainland. Parts of the waterway are variously known as the Keweenaw Waterway, Portage Canal, Portage Lake Canal, Portage River, Lily Pond,...
.
The city is bounded on the south by the Portage Canal, parts of Quincy
Quincy Township, Houghton County, Michigan
Quincy Township is a civil township of Houghton County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the township population was 251.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of , all land....
, Hancock
Hancock Township, Michigan
Hancock Township is a civil township of Houghton County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 408 at the 2000 census.-Geography:...
and Franklin
Franklin Township, Houghton County, Michigan
Franklin Township is a civil township of Houghton County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 1,320 at the 2000 census.-Communities:...
Townships; on the east by West Ripley; and on the north by Quincy and Hancock Townships
Hancock Township, Michigan
Hancock Township is a civil township of Houghton County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 408 at the 2000 census.-Geography:...
.
Climate
Hancock has a humid continental climateHumid continental climate
A humid continental climate is a climatic region typified by large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot summers and cold winters....
, with typically long and snowy winters and much lake effect snow
Lake effect snow
Lake-effect snow is produced during cooler atmospheric conditions when cold winds move across long expanses of warmer lake water, providing energy and picking up water vapor which freezes and is deposited on the leeward shores...
.
People and culture
Hancock has been called "the focal point of Finns in the United States". Hancock hosts an annual midwinter festival called Heikinpäivä, celebrating the feast day of Saint Henrik, patron saint of FinlandFinland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
and Heikki Lunta
Heikki Lunta
Heikki Lunta is the embodiment of the Finnish snow god character, who originated in the mythology of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.The character of Heikki Lunta is a product of the heavy Finnish-American presence in Michigan's Upper Peninsula combined with a tremendous annual...
, the Finnish god of snow
Snow
Snow is a form of precipitation within the Earth's atmosphere in the form of crystalline water ice, consisting of a multitude of snowflakes that fall from clouds. Since snow is composed of small ice particles, it is a granular material. It has an open and therefore soft structure, unless packed by...
.
Every summer, the cities of Hancock and neighboring Houghton host a festival known as "Bridgefest," to commemorate the building of the Portage Lake Lift Bridge
Portage Lake Lift Bridge
The Portage Lake Lift Bridge connects the cities of Hancock and Houghton, Michigan, USA, across Portage Lake, a portion of the waterway which cuts across the Keweenaw Peninsula with a canal linking the final several miles to Lake Superior to the northwest...
.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 4,323 people, 1,769 households, and 902 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1727.5 PD/sqmi. There were 1,983 housing units at an average density of 792.4 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 95.95% White, 0.76% Black or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.93% Native American, 1.06% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.23% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.04% from two or more races. 0.76% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 32.2% were of Finnish
Finnish American
Finnish Americans are Americans of Finnish descent, who currently number about 700,000.-History:Some Finns, like the ancestors of John Morton, came to the Swedish colony of New Sweden, that existed in mid-17th century....
, 14.4% German
German American
German Americans are citizens of the United States of German ancestry and comprise about 51 million people, or 17% of the U.S. population, the country's largest self-reported ancestral group...
, 8.2% English
English American
English Americans are citizens or residents of the United States whose ancestry originates wholly or partly in England....
, 5.3% Italian
Italian American
An Italian American , is an American of Italian ancestry. The designation may also refer to someone possessing Italian and American dual citizenship...
, and 5.2% French
French American
French Americans or Franco-Americans are Americans of French or French Canadian descent. About 11.8 million U.S. residents are of this descent, and about 1.6 million speak French at home.An additional 450,000 U.S...
ancestry according to Census 2000. 94.4% spoke English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
and 4.4% Finnish
Finnish language
Finnish is the language spoken by the majority of the population in Finland Primarily for use by restaurant menus and by ethnic Finns outside Finland. It is one of the two official languages of Finland and an official minority language in Sweden. In Sweden, both standard Finnish and Meänkieli, a...
as their first language.
There were 1,769 households out of which 23.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.2% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 9.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 49.0% were non-families. 38.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.22 and the average family size was 2.97.
In the city the population was spread out with 19.0% under the age of 18, 18.0% from 18 to 24, 22.6% from 25 to 44, 20.1% from 45 to 64, and 20.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 98.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $28,118, and the median income for a family was $36,625. Males had a median income of $27,090 versus $22,150 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $16,669. About 6.9% of families and 14.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.0% of those under age 18 and 15.1% of those age 65 or over.
Neighborhoods
The East HancockEast Hancock
East Hancock is a primarily residential neighbourhood in Hancock, Michigan, though it also includes the easternmost block of Quincy Street, the main street of Hancock's downtown.- East Hancock Neighborhood Historic District :...
neighborhood is part of the city and consists of many old Victorian-style houses which were once owned by mining company officials.
Doctors' Park, located in West Hancock near the former Portage View Hospital Building (now the Portage Campus of Finlandia University
Finlandia University
Finlandia University is a university in Hancock, Michigan, United States, and the only private university in the Upper Peninsula. Founded in 1896 as Suomi College, it is affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.-History:...
). It lies north of West Quincy Street.
The Quincy Street Historic District
Quincy Street Historic District
The Quincy Street Historic District is a historic district located along the 100, 200, and 300 blocks of Quincy Street, along with 416 Tezcuco Street, in Hancock, Michigan. The Hancock Town Hall and Fire Hall is located in the district...
encompasses the center of Hancock's downtown, covering the 100, 200, and 300 blocks of Quncy Street.
Museums and galleries
The birthplace of Mary Chase Perry StrattonMary Chase Perry Stratton
Mary Chase Perry Stratton was an American ceramic artist. She was a co-founder, along with Horace James Caulkins, of Pewabic Pottery, a form of ceramic art used to make architectural tiles.-Early years:...
, founder of Pewabic Pottery
Pewabic Pottery
Pewabic Pottery is a studio and school located in Detroit, Michigan and founded in 1903. The studio is known for its iridescent glazes, some of which grace notable buildings such as the Shedd Aquarium and Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. Pewabic Pottery is on display...
, "escaped the 1869 fire"; it is now called Pewabic House and run as a museum.
The Kerredge Gallery and the Republic Bank
Republic Bank
Republic Bank is a leading bank and financial service provider in Trinidad and Tobago and one of the largest in the Eastern Caribbean. It has branches in Grenada, Guyana, Barbados, and offshore banking operations incorporated in the Cayman Islands...
Gallery are both located inside the Copper Country Community Arts Center.
Turquoise Art Gallery is also located in Hancock.
Education
Public education
Elementary-school students attend the Gordon Barkell Elementary School (formerly Hancock Elementary School), middle school students Hancock Middle School and high-school students Hancock Central High School.Higher education
Hancock is the home of Finlandia UniversityFinlandia University
Finlandia University is a university in Hancock, Michigan, United States, and the only private university in the Upper Peninsula. Founded in 1896 as Suomi College, it is affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.-History:...
(formerly Suomi College). Several parts of the campus of Michigan Technological University
Michigan Technological University
Michigan Technological University is a public research university located in Houghton, Michigan, United States. Its main campus sits on on a bluff overlooking Portage Lake...
are also located in Hancock, including a former MTU "underground classroom" in Quincy Mine.
Highways
courses north on a scenic drive to CalumetCalumet, Michigan
Calumet is a village in Calumet Township, Houghton County, in the U.S. state of Michigan's Upper Peninsula, that was once at the center of the mining industry of the Upper Peninsula. Also known as Red Jacket, the village includes the Calumet Downtown Historic District, listed on the National...
and Copper Harbor
Copper Harbor, Michigan
Copper Harbor is a small unincorporated community in northeastern Keweenaw County in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is within Grant Township on the Keweenaw Peninsula that juts from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan into Lake Superior.-History:...
. To the south and east U S41 routes to Houghton
Houghton, Michigan
Houghton is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan's Upper Peninsula and largest city in the Copper Country on the Keweenaw Peninsula. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 7,708. It is the county seat of Houghton County...
and Marquette
Marquette, Michigan
Marquette is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and the county seat of Marquette County. The population was 21,355 at the 2010 census, making it the most populated city of the Upper Peninsula. Marquette is a major port on Lake Superior, primarily for shipping iron ore and is the home of Northern...
. routes north to Hubbell
Hubbell, Michigan
Hubbell is an unincorporated community in Houghton County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The U.S. Census Bureau has defined an area around the community as a Census-designated place for statistical purposes. As of the 2000 census, the CDP population was 1,105...
, Lake Linden
Lake Linden, Michigan
Lake Linden is a village in Houghton County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 1,081 at the 2000 census. The village is mostly within Schoolcraft Township, though a tiny portion lies in Torch Lake Township.-History:...
and Laurium, Michigan
Laurium, Michigan
Laurium is a village in Calumet Township, Houghton County in the U.S. state of Michigan, in the center of the Keweenaw Peninsula. The population was 2,126 at the 2000 census.-History:...
. Before reaching its ending in Copper Harbor, M-26 follows a scenic stretch along Lake Superior
Lake Superior
Lake Superior is the largest of the five traditionally-demarcated Great Lakes of North America. It is bounded to the north by the Canadian province of Ontario and the U.S. state of Minnesota, and to the south by the U.S. states of Wisconsin and Michigan. It is the largest freshwater lake in the...
serves as a connector to McLain State Park
McLain State Park
McLain State Park is a state park in Houghton County, Michigan on the Keweenaw Peninsula, in Copper Country. It is located on M-203 halfway between Hancock and Calumet.-Description:...
.
Intercity bus
Indian TrailsIndian Trails
Indian Trails is an inter-city bus company based in Owosso, Michigan.- History :Indian Trails was founded in 1910 in Owosso as the Phillips-Taylor Livery Service, whose main business was transporting cargo to and from Durand Union Station and the surrounding Shiawassee County...
bus lines operates a terminal at the Shottle Bop Party Store, 125 Quincy Street. Until January 31, 2007 this was operated by Greyhound Bus Lines.
Public transportation
In the early 20th century, the Houghton County Traction Company ran a trolley system with service to many nearby towns.Hancock Public Transit operates a demand bus which will take riders to anywhere in Hancock, Houghton, or Ripley
Ripley, Michigan
Ripley is a small, unincorporated community in Franklin Township situated upon a slope, just east of Hancock on M-26 and across the Portage Lake Canal from Houghton....
.
Airport
The Houghton County Memorial AirportHoughton County Memorial Airport
Houghton County Memorial Airport is a county-owned public-use airport located in the unincorporated community of Oneco in Franklin Township, Houghton County, Michigan, five nautical miles south west of the central business district of Calumet, a village in Houghton County, Michigan, United...
(CMX) is often said to serve Houghton, although it is closer to Hancock, and its mailing address is Calumet.