Town Sign Project: Hancock County

A few weeks back I cruised around Hancock County harvesting their town signs. It was a very interesting trip as Hancock County has some very nice towns.

Here are some facts about Hancock County:

+ Population is 10,802 (2019 estimate). Making it the 68th most populous county in Iowa. Behind Louisa County and ahead of Guthrie County.
+ The largest town (entirely in Hancock County) and county seat is Garner.
+ Was established on June 28, 1858.
+ Named after John Hancock, the leader of the Continental Congress during the American Revolution.
+ Home of the World’s Largest Bullhead.
+ Home of a National Hobo Convention.
+ Major highways are: US-18, US-69, and IA-17.
+ Adjacent Counties are: Winnebago, Cerro Gordo, Wright, and Kossuth.
+ Population peaked in 1940 at 15,402.

The Hancock County Courthouse isn’t ugly, but it isn’t much to look at either.

The Hancock County Courthouse located in Garner, Iowa.

The Hancock County Freedom Rock is located in Britt, Iowa:

With Hancock County conquered, this is the updated Photography 139 Conquest Map:

PURPLE=COMPLETED

33 counties completed. 33.3% of the Cyclone State conquered.

Here are the town signs of Hancock County:

Forest City, Iowa – Mostly in Winnebago County
Forest City
Population: 4,151

Garner, Iowa
Welcome to GARNER
EST. 1870
Population: 3,129

Britt, Iowa
BRITT
NATIONAL HOBO CONVENTION
Population: 2,069

Kanawha, Iowa
Welcome To… KANAWHA, IOWA
Celebrating 100 Years and still on track!
Population: 652

Klemme, Iowa
WELCOME TO KLEMME
Population: 507

Corwith, Iowa
CORWITH
Population: 309

Crystal Lake, Iowa
Crystal Lake
Home of the world’s largest bullhead
Population: 250

Woden, Iowa
WELCOME TO WODEN
Population: 229

Goodell, Iowa
LITTLE TOWN
GOODELL
FRIENDLY PEOPLE
Population: 139

Duncan, Iowa – Unincorporated

I would say that Hancock County has a solid but not great set of signs. I don’t think there is a bad sign, but Garner’s is the most boring and corporate, so it get worst town sign in Hancock County.

I like the town signs of Goodell, Britt, and Kanawha. I’m going to give Best in Show for Hancock County to Britt for the picture of the hobo:

Britt – Best in Show – Hancock County

There are a few alternate town signs in Hancock County: