Hancock

Hancock: Town Hall and Fire Hall

Hancock, city, Houghton county, northwestern Upper Peninsula of Michigan, U.S. It is located about halfway up the Keweenaw Peninsula, across Portage Lake from Houghton. Laid out in 1859, it was named for John Hancock, the American Revolutionary leader. With the discovery of nearby copper mines in the mid-19th century, Hancock became a busy shipping point. The mines attracted many immigrants to the area, including large numbers of Finns. Local industries include the manufacture of plastic products and machined metal parts, lumber milling, and commercial fishing; tourism and outdoor recreation have been of increasing importance since copper production ended in the 1960s. Hancock is the seat of Finlandia University (Lutheran, 1896), which was founded (as Suomi College) by Finnish immigrants and for many years used Finnish as the language of instruction. The Arcadian Copper Mine and the Quincy Mine Steam Hoist have guided tours during the summer. The annual Heikinpäivä festival (January)—for St. Henrik of Uppsala, patron saint of Finland—celebrates the city’s Finnish heritage with skiing and sledding races, a parade, and traditional Finnish foods, crafts, and dancing. The Portage Lake Ship Canal connects Portage Lake with Lake Superior. Nearby are Frederick J. McLain State Park and Keweenaw National Historical Park. Inc. village, 1875; city, 1903. Pop. (2000) 4,323; (2010) 4,634.