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Hancock County

Hancock County, Indiana was created on March 1, 1828 and named after the first signer of the Declatation of Independance. On April 11, 1828, Greenfield was chosen as the county seat. Around 1834-35, the National Road was opened in Hancock County and it ushered in a period of rapid growth.

In 1853, the present boundaries of nine townships were determined. The townships were named Blue River, Brandywine, Brown, Buck Creek, Center, Jackson, Green, Sugar Creek, And Vernon.

In 1887, natural gas was discovered and Hancock County became a "boom" area for the next 20 years. During that time, manufacturing plants and other industries were established in the community.

In 1839 the first great fire in Greenfield occured on the north side of Main Street between Mount and State Streets. It destroyed business blocks along with a large hotel and stable that stood on the northwest corner of State and Main Streets, of the current location of the Masonic Temple. In 1857 another fire occured in the same district and also destroyed several buildings. Both fires contributed to the historic landscape.

Hancock County also had its share of important people, such as James Whitcomb Riley, the Hoosier Poet; Wil Vawter and Dick Black, both famous artists; Earl K. SMith, composer of "Down by the Old Mill STream"' Reverend Charles O'Connell, scholar, writer, and statesman who became president of Notre Dame; Lee O. Harris, teacher; Barton Rees Pogue, poet; and William Toms, journalist, just to name a few.

 
County Website: http://www.hancockcoingov.org/
County Seat: Greenfield

Cities in Hancock County

Annual festivals and parades

Riley Festival (Greenfield, IN)

Enjoy one of the largest craft festivals in   the state of Indiana with designated areas for food, commercial and flea market booths, plus Fine Arts, Home Arts/Quilt, Photography, Poster, and decorated pumpkin shows.

The Riley Festival follows years of tradition by celebrating the birthday of the "Hoosier Poet", James Whitcomb Riley.

Riley Festival is a showcase for a wide variety of talent that runs continuously Friday through Sunday.
The Parade of Flowers on Friday features Greenfield-Central Elementary students and is over 60 years old. The Ameriana Riley Festival Parade on Saturday will have over 100 units participating. Several events take place during the festival. A donation fee shuttle runs from the Hancock County 4-H Fairgrounds to the east entrance of the Festival. 

Resources

Libraries

  •  Fortville-Vernon Twp Public Library
  •  Hancock County Public Library
  •  Sugar Creek Branch

Chambers of Commerce

School Districts

  • Eastern Hancock County Schools
  • Greenfield-Central Schools
  • Mt Vernon Community Schools
  • Southern Hancock County Schools