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A Great Place to Call Home

Cross the Portage Canal Lift Bridge, follow the steep winding road, turn the corner, and suddenly you discover you're in one of Michigan's most unique cities.

Welcome to Hancock, gateway to the beautiful Keweenaw Peninsula. Named after John Hancock, signer of the Declaration of Independence, the town was founded by the Quincy Mining Company in 1859 during the heyday of the Keweenaw's copper mining boom. The site of brass foundries and mining machinery factories, the town was best known for its famous Quincy Mine. Nicknamed "Old Reliable," the mine produced copper continuously for 83 years, paying stockholders more than $27 million in dividends.

 


Downtown Hancock
 

The Quincy Mine ceased production in 1945, but the little town of Hancock remains as reliable as its early immigrant settlers. Today the town is home to about 4500 residents, and four of the largest six employers in Houghton County. Major players in the city's economy include the corporate headquarters of D&N Bank and Suomi College. Since the end of the copper industry, tourism has come to the fore as the region's primary industry, and Hancock has supported the transition with its unique heritage, vibrant arts scene, recreational opportunities and eclectic retailers.

Such economic diversification has resulted in Hancock residents having the highest median income of any city or village in the county, and the Hancock of today is a city on the move. Recent new developments include a Ramada Inn on the waterfront, a city fire hall, and expansion of the city boundary by 24 percent. Under construction are a new residential development, a waterfront condominium project, a new waterfront town house project, a new high school and renovation of the former high school into a new middle school.

An especially exciting project that will accompany the community into the next century is construction of the Portage Health System's new medical complex. With roots dating to 1899, the Hancock-based hospital plays a vital role in the health and security of Keweenaw residents. The new complex, which will include 30 inpatient beds and a long-term care facility, will be located on scenic Quincy Hill.

Hancock: hilly, healthy, historic – and a great place to call home!

Click Here to take a tour of
Historic Downtown Hancock.

Click Here to view a gallery of
Historic Hancock Photos.

 

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