Finnish heritage and snowy winters shape Hancock’s identity
In Hancock, some street signs are written in English and Finnish. That’s just one way the city shows its heritage. The Finnish American Heritage Centre and celebrations throughout the year create a close community. “I was born and raised here,” says Christopher Coponen, a Realtor at Century 21 Affiliated. “I moved away after graduating, and after about six years, I couldn’t stay away any longer. It has the draw of there being so much beauty. You experience all four seasons and look forward to each one.” Hancock was called one of the snowiest towns in the Midwest by the Weather Channel, and its long winters have a lot of lake effect snow.
Historic and newer homes with saunas are common
Homes in Hancock come in various styles and from many eras, including historic, midcentury and new construction. East Hancock has many historic Renaissance Revival and Queen Anne style homes. Some houses have a feature that’s part of Finnish culture. “I built my house two years ago, and one of the big decisions was where to put the sauna,” Coponen says. “A lot of the lake houses have saunas here; it’s the typical sauna and swim.”
Single-family home prices range from $100,000 to $615,000. The average square footage is on par with the national average at around 2,000 square feet. The median lot size is around a quarter of an acre. On average, homes stay on the market for 25 days, around half the national average of 52 days.
Local schools offer associate degrees and college pathways
Barkell Elementary gets a B-plus grade from Niche. Hancock Middle and Hancock High Schools share a building and a C-plus rating. Students can earn college credits while getting their high school diploma through a partnership with Gogebic Community College. Michigan Technological University is in Houghton and receives an A from Niche. When Finlandia University in Hancock closed in 2023, MTU absorbed some of its programs.
City parks offer year-round recreation, from beaches to skiing
Hancock has over 10 parks throughout the city, and many are being updated, like Hancock Driving Park’s ballfield dugouts. The Hancock Recreation Area consists of over 28 acres along Portage Lake. The public beach is often used for fishing, boating, swimming and camping. In the winter, skiers can choose between the Maasto Hiihto Trail System, Churning Rapids trails and Mont Ripley Ski Hill. The HoCo Arena hosts the high school’s ice hockey team and offers open skate sessions throughout the colder months. Quincy Green is the site of many events, and the hill is used for sledding when it snows.
Hancock hosts winter and summer events with local flair
Hancock has two major celebrations paying homage to the city’s Finnish heritage. Heikinpäivä happens in winter and includes a parade, wife-carrying contest and musical performances with traditional dancing. Juhannus Summer Solstice Celebration has similar activities. Attendees of Bridgefest can ride in a helicopter, check out the car show and watch fireworks. The Hancock Tori & Farmers Market runs from June to October, but the city has another indoor market during the winter months.
Cyclists and snowmobilers use trails between Hancock and Houghton
The drive to Houghton takes just a few miles over the Portage Lake Lift Bridge. “Hancock is very similar to Houghton,” Coponen says. “They are almost the same, like twin cities, separated by the canal.” The section of U.S. Route 41 that runs through Hancock to Copper Harbor is known as the Copper Country Trail National Scenic Byway.
Some homes are within walking distance of downtown Hancock. Cyclists can get around the city on the Jack Stevens Rail Trail, while those riding snowmobiles can travel between Houghton and Hancock on the Keweenaw Trail. Their on-demand bus service goes anywhere within the city limits. UP Health System has a hospital in Hancock, and the nearest airport is Houghton County Memorial Airport, which has a direct flight to Chicago O'Hare International Airport.
Most stores are small, but there are big-box options in Houghton
Gino’s Restaurant & Cocktail Lounge has an extensive menu ranging from sandwiches and burgers to pizza and pasta. The Forge Food Smith started as a food truck, but they now have a brick-and-mortar establishment. “Each little town in the area has its own special places,” Coponen says. “Mostly small mom and pop places, we don’t have a lot of chains.” Grocery options include Keweenaw Co+op Market and Deli, as well as Pat’s Foods. There are more restaurants and stores, including a Walmart, over the bridge in Houghton.
