RoadsideThoughts
A Gazetteer for the United States and Canada
Home >> State of Iowa >> Pottawattamie County >> Hancock >> Tidbits & TriviaIndex...

Outdoor Activities ...

As we travel, we like to pursue some of our interests (such as astronomy and bird watching).

When in Hancock, we use the following websites to find information relevant to Hancock and the surrounding area.

  • Astronomy & Satellites ...
    • Whether using binoculars, a small telescope or the naked-eye, the Heavens-Above website can help you to find your way around the night-time sky. In addition to detailed sky charts, their website will help you find planets, asteriods, comets, satellites and their tracks across the sky.
    • To give accurate results, Heavens-Above requires the latitude and longitude of your location. As a starting point, when we link to Heavens-Above, we pass this GPS location for Hancock:
    • 41.392195, -95.363660
    • Once you're on the Heavens-Above website, you can improve its accuracy by giving a more precise longitude and latitude as your actual position.
    • The Heavens-Above Website, centered on Hancock
  • Waymarking ...
    • Looking for somewhere out of the ordinary? Find a unique place and want to share it with others? Then it's time to visit Waymarking.com:
    • Waymark.com

Communities Also Named Hancock ...

We found 35 communities that share the name Hancock.

Within Iowa, the name Hancock is unique.

Beyond Iowa, we know of another 35 communities that are located throughout in the United States.

  • Communities Elsewhere In North America ...
    • Alabama
      • Cherokee County
      • We found mention of this community, but have little information.<1> For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Alabama community of Hancock [Cherokee County].
    • Arkansas
      • Craighead County
      • This Hancock is located in Craighead County and lies 472 miles [759.6 km]<2> to the southeast of the Hancock that is located in Pottawattamie County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Craighead County community of Hancock.
    • California
      • Los Angeles County
      • We found mention of this community, but have little information.<1> For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the California community of Hancock [Los Angeles County].
    • Colorado
      • Chaffee County
      • This community is historic<3> and we have very little information. For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Colorado community of Hancock [Chaffee County].
      • Gunnison County
      • We found mention of this community, but have little information.<1> For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Colorado community of Hancock [Gunnison County].
    • Connecticut
      • Litchfield County
      • This Hancock is located in Litchfield County and lies 1,151 miles [1,852.4 km]<2> to the east of the Hancock that is located in Pottawattamie County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Litchfield County community of Hancock.
    • Florida
      • Hillsborough County
      • This Hancock is located in Hillsborough County and lies 1,189 miles [1,913.5 km]<2> to the southeast of the Hancock that is located in Pottawattamie County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Hillsborough County community of Hancock.
      • Polk County
      • We found mention of this community, but have little information.<1> For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Florida community of Hancock [Polk County].
    • Georgia
      • Hancock County
      • We found mention of this community, but have little information.<1> For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Georgia community of Hancock [Hancock County].
    • Indiana
      • Harrison County
      • We found mention of this community, but have little information.<1> For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Indiana community of Hancock [Harrison County].
    • Kansas
      • Lane County
      • We found mention of this community, but have little information.<1> For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Kansas community of Hancock [Lane County].
    • Louisiana
      • Ouachita Parish
      • This Hancock is located in Ouachita Parish and lies 635 miles [1,021.9 km]<2> to the south southeast of the Hancock that is located in Pottawattamie County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Ouachita Parish community of Hancock.
    • Maine
      • Hancock County
      • This Hancock is located in Hancock County and lies 1,380 miles [2,220.9 km]<2> to the east northeast of the Hancock that is located in Pottawattamie County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Hancock County community of Hancock.
    • Maryland
      • Washington County
      • This Hancock is located in Washington County and lies 907 miles [1,459.7 km]<2> to the east of the Hancock that is located in Pottawattamie County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Washington County community of Hancock.
    • Massachusetts
      • Berkshire County
      • This Hancock is located in Berkshire County and lies 1,131 miles [1,820.2 km]<2> to the east of the Hancock that is located in Pottawattamie County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Berkshire County community of Hancock.
    • Michigan
      • Houghton County
      • This Hancock is located in Houghton County and lies 518 miles [833.6 km]<2> to the northeast of the Hancock that is located in Pottawattamie County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Houghton County community of Hancock.
    • Minnesota
      • Stevens County
      • This Hancock is located in Stevens County and lies 284 miles [457.1 km]<2> to the north of the Hancock that is located in Pottawattamie County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Stevens County community of Hancock.
    • Missouri
      • Pulaski County
      • This Hancock is located in Pulaski County and lies 289 miles [465.1 km]<2> to the southeast of the Hancock that is located in Pottawattamie County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Pulaski County community of Hancock.
    • Nebraska
      • Dundy County
      • We found mention of this community, but have little information.<1> For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Nebraska community of Hancock [Dundy County].
    • New Hampshire
      • Hillsborough County
      • This Hancock is located in Hillsborough County and lies 1,197 miles [1,926.4 km]<2> to the east northeast of the Hancock that is located in Pottawattamie County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Hillsborough County community of Hancock.
    • New York
      • Delaware County
      • This Hancock is located in Delaware County and lies 1,034 miles [1,664.1 km]<2> to the east of the Hancock that is located in Pottawattamie County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Delaware County community of Hancock.
    • North Carolina
      • Chowan County
      • This Hancock is located in Chowan County and lies 1,070 miles [1,722 km]<2> to the east southeast of the Hancock that is located in Pottawattamie County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Chowan County community of Hancock.
    • North Dakota
      • McLean County
      • We found mention of this community, but have little information.<1> For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the North Dakota community of Hancock [McLean County].
    • Ohio
      • Hancock County
      • This Hancock is located in Hancock County and lies 597 miles [960.8 km]<2> to the east of the Hancock that is located in Pottawattamie County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Hancock County community of Hancock.
      • Perry County
      • This community is historic<3> and although located in Perry County, we don't know where within the county.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Perry County community of Hancock.
    • Pennsylvania
      • Berks County
      • This Hancock is located in Berks County and lies 1,026 miles [1,651.2 km]<2> to the east of the Hancock that is located in Pottawattamie County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Berks County community of Hancock.
      • Lancaster County
      • We found mention of this community, but have little information.<1> For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Pennsylvania community of Hancock [Lancaster County].
    • South Carolina
      • Lancaster County
      • This Hancock is located in Lancaster County and lies 906 miles [1,458.1 km]<2> to the east southeast of the Hancock that is located in Pottawattamie County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Lancaster County community of Hancock.
    • Tennessee
      • Henry County
      • This Hancock is located in Henry County and lies 517 miles [832 km]<2> to the southeast of the Hancock that is located in Pottawattamie County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Henry County community of Hancock.
    • Texas
      • Comal County
      • Although located in Comal County, we don't know the location within the county.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Comal County community of Hancock.
      • Dawson County
      • This Hancock is located in Dawson County and lies 691 miles [1,112.1 km]<2> to the southwest of the Hancock that is located in Pottawattamie County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Dawson County community of Hancock.
      • Limestone County
      • We found mention of this community, but have little information.<1> For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Texas community of Hancock [Limestone County].
    • Vermont
      • Addison County
      • This Hancock is located in Addison County and lies 1,153 miles [1,855.6 km]<2> to the east northeast of the Hancock that is located in Pottawattamie County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Addison County community of Hancock.
    • West Virginia
      • Morgan County
      • This Hancock is located in Morgan County and lies 907 miles [1,459.7 km]<2> to the east of the Hancock that is located in Pottawattamie County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Morgan County community of Hancock.
    • Wisconsin
      • Waushara County
      • This Hancock is located in Waushara County and lies 351 miles [564.9 km]<2> to the northeast of the Hancock that is located in Pottawattamie County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Waushara County community of Hancock.

Curious and Interesting Names Near Hancock ...

As we travel, we always see a community with a name that gives pause. While there are names which are interesting or familiar, some catch our attention or strike our fancy. We always wonder about such a name. If time permits and the community is not too far, we'll usually try to make a side-trip.

  • Carson
    (11 miles [17.7 km] to the south)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Carson
    • Carson is located in Pottawattamie County
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 813 people
    • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Carson <4>
  • Indiantown ‑ Historic
    (14 miles [22.5 km] to the east)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Indiantown have been provided by the GNIS.<5> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Indiantown
    • Indiantown is located in Cass County
  • Lewis
    (15 miles [24.1 km] to the east)
  • Peter
    (15 miles [24.1 km] to the west)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Peter have been provided by the GNIS.<5> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Peter
    • Peter is located in Pottawattamie County
  • Quick
    (17 miles [27.4 km] to the southwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Quick have been provided by the GNIS.<5> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Quick
    • Quick is located in Pottawattamie County
  • Sycamore Village
    (18 miles [29 km] to the east)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Sycamore Village have been provided by the GNIS.<5> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sycamore Village
    • Sycamore Village is located in Cass County
  • Union Burg ‑ Historic
    (17 miles [27.4 km] to the northwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Union Burg have been provided by the GNIS.<5> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Union Burg
    • Union Burg is located in Harrison County
  • Walnut
    (9 miles [14.5 km] to the northeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Walnut have been provided by the GNIS.<5> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Walnut
    • Walnut is located in Pottawattamie County
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 768 people
  • Yorkshire
    (14 miles [22.5 km] to the northwest)
    • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Yorkshire. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<6>
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Yorkshire
    • Yorkshire is located in Harrison County

How Far From Hancock to ...

We spend a lot of time looking through Gazetteers that were published in the late 1800's and early 1900's. Many of the Gazetteers include the distance from a city such as Hancock to various places of note, such as the White House.

With a nod to our favorite Gazetteers, the straight-line distance beginning in Hancock and extending to:

  • Council Bluffs, which is the Seat of Pottawattamie County, lies 27 miles [43.5 km]<2> to the west southwest. If you could walk a straight line from Hancock to Council Bluffs, with an average speed<7> of 2.2 miles [3.5 km] per hour, it would take just about two full days to make the trip. A horse and buggy averaging 3.2 miles [5.1 km] per hour would take just over a day.
  • Des Moines, which is the State Capital of Iowa, lies 91 miles [146.5 km] to the east (E). Driving, with an average speed of 63 miles [101.4 km] per hour, would take less than two hours, a buggy would take most of three days and walking would take 6 days.
  • The White House (Washington, DC) is 980 miles [1,577.2 km] to the east (E). Driving would take most of two days, a buggy would take 39 days and walking would take 56 days.
  • The shortest distance<8> to Jerusalem (specifically the Temple Mount and the Dome of the Rock) is 6,478 miles [10,425.3 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<9>
  • The distance to the Great Mosque of Mecca (specifically the Ka'bah - or Kaaba ) is 7,230 miles [11,635.6 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<10>
  • The distance to Saint Peter's Basilica (The Vatican) is 5,129 miles [8,254.3 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<11>

Footnotes ...

<1>If we encounter the name of what might be a community, our methodology is to add that name to our Gazetteer as a placeholder. As we find more information about that community, it will be added to our Gazetteer.

Just as a reminder: Our definition of a community is rather broad and includes those places (or areas) where several families lived and had a name which identified that place. For example, you might hear somebody say that they are going over to Rock Creek to see Pete ... Rock Creek is just a gas station and a couple of homes at the crossroads. While it might not be on the map, everybody in the area knows it by that name.

Places of interest include buildings at a crossroad, several families clustered in a hollow or maybe the location of a way station. It also includes places like mines, lumber camps, ferry crossings, etc. The community might still exist, is now gone or only existed for just a short period of time.

Also keep in mind that Hancock could have been on the original document by mistake, misspelled, the original/alternate name of a community that we've listed elsewhere or was placed in the wrong county. Sometimes a post office or train station would have a different name than the community where it's located, so two names might be referring to the same community - we're working to straighten it all out.
<2>Our distances are not driving distances, but are calculated as a 'straight-line' (or point-to-point) distance. A straight line distance ignores things like rivers, canyons, lakes, et cetera - it's truly a line drawn from Point A (ie- Hancock) to Point B.Our distance measurements begin at a specific point in Hancock. The point we use is located at these GPS coordinates - Latitude: 41.3922, Longitude: -95.3637       In this case, the coordinates for Hancock have been provided by the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS).
<3>We use the term 'Historic' broadly and it generally means that the community no longer exists. However, it can also mean that the community might still exist, but was significantly larger or had a more 'official' existence in the past than it does now. Unfortunately our sources of data have proven to be unreliable. If you can provide us with more specific information about Hancock, please let us know so that we can improve our accuracy.
<4>While we're fans and frequent users of TripAdvisor, you should know that we're also members of the TripAdvisor affiliate program.
<5>The location has been supplied by the Geographic Names Information System - which is maintained by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). While these values should be definitive, we found that accuracy can vary and you should double-check the location if accuracy is required.
<6>An 'estimated' location is one where we have been given GPS coordinates, but are unable to verify the accuracy of those coordinates. That said, we have some confidence that we have placed the marker near the actual location. A typical reason for being unable to verify a location is that it might be on private property or maybe historic and gone without an obvious trace.
<7>While we have tried to pick reasonable speeds, the rate of travel is very theoretical - obstacles like fences, hills, lakes, river crossings and rest stops have been ignored. When we say 'Days' of travel, we're assuming 8 hours of travel per day.
<8>The shortest line can be visualized by stretching a string on a Globe from Point A to Point B - this is known as a Great Circle Route. Where you might expect the shortest route from Hancock to the Middle East to be East and South, the Great Circle Route actually lies to the North and East.
<9>The calculated bearing (or angle) to Jerusalem is 319.691 degrees.
<10>The calculated bearing (or angle) to Mecca is 317.288 degrees.
<11>The calculated bearing (or angle) to the Vatican is 312.601 degrees.