The heartland of Wisconsin is the place we call home: Hancock.

Nestled in the northwest corner of Waushara County, Wisconsin, Waushara means “Good Earth.”  The meaning is a picture of our little community Hancock and what our village is about. Our village has 186 households. Population 416, there’s an influx of lake people, campers, and tents converging on our town more than doubling our population in the summer months looking for a piece of paradise, a paradise that’s part of our everyday living.

The Village of Hancock was settled in 1850’s by Civil war veterans.  However, Hancock is deeply rooted long before in the hearts of the Native American people in a place we call Whistler Mounds. The Mounds are right on Fish Lake in Hancock township, just across the road from Hancock’s Pine Lake. We are proud to recognize the historical significance of the community of the past.

What touched the souls of the past still calls us today.  The recreational lakes, alluring us to the soft sandy beach and clear reflective water with a fishing pole or kayak. Or take a cool swim on a warm summer night. Smoky campfires brighten and crackle with storytelling and laughter. If the pace is too slow, speed things up to boating, water skiing or the local skeet shoot.

A segment of the Ice Age Trail is within a mile hike. The Deerfield section touts a habitat for the endangered Karner butterfly. On the trail you may see the glacier pond community of croaking frogs and sunning turtles or the hypnotic waving reeds of the cattails and marsh grass calling us to a place of peace. The purple cone flowers, milkweed and phlox all abuzz with honeybees and butterflies galore.

We have public lands for outdoors people who would like to get on the local Big Buck brag board. Or simply forage for a few tasty blackberries, gooseberries or raspberries, or be on the hunt for the spring morels where the honey holes are even secret to the closest family members. When evening comes, perhaps you’ll hear the coyotes calling out to their neighboring packs.

It is with great pride that we acknowledge the UW Hancock Agriculture Research Center is right here in our small community. Education flows in the form of hands-on experience and wonder as children and adults alike seek out the history of our Central Sands region – a true geographical phenomenon presenting a lush agricultural environment. Crops of potatoes, peas, corn, and cranberries, flourish as do the connecting operations of truckers, dairy, implements, crop dusters, farmers markets, hobby farms, livestock, keeping our economy humming along.

Supported and celebrated by our agriculture and business partners, the residents bring small local summer festivals to life, such as 20-minute parades, firework displays, Hancock’s very own music festival, the Hancock Market and Hancock Lions Fisherie. Work does not stop in the summer but beats on at Christmas, Halloween, and Easter gatherings for the community children.

Recreation and festivals are what attract visitors into our community, but the midwestern charm and character within us keep them coming back. We are more than a vacation destination; our village is the peace that brings city life to rural neighborhood living. It is our fragile and beautiful natural environment that is the jewel in the crown of our lakes and lands.

We continue building a legacy at Hancock Park for deeper relationships. Relax at night under the stars with our outdoor movie. Hear the hum of the local and traveling musician from our outdoor amphitheater. Lean into a fireside chat of fish stories that start with “this is no lie.” We are providing spaces that are safe, inclusive and accessible to all ages and abilities, at the playground and beach. Hike the Infinity Trail adjoining the lakes, the path that circles the mounds of the past, and desires of our future, walking in step with each other in a space to bring lake life & rural neighborhood living together.

Celebrate with us the beautiful space on this Good Earth that we call home – Hancock, Waushara County, Wisconsin.