Hancock, New York, United States

🇺🇸 Hancock is a town in Delaware County, New York, United States. The town contains a village, also named Hancock. The town is in the south-west part of the county. The town is the largest by area in Delaware County. The town borders two other counties, Sullivan County, NY, to the south and Wayne County, PA, to the west. The town is located partially in the Catskill Park.

History This town was established in 1806 from part of the town of Colchester. It is named for John Hancock, signer of the Declaration of the Independence.

Sports and the Upper Delaware River The town of Hancock, NY, has a rich history of many things, including sports. The most popular sports perhaps are baseball and fishing. Fly fishing is extremely popular due to the Upper Delaware River (UDR), which flows right through the town. The River is a large economic engine that powers many businesses in Hancock and neighboring areas. The Hancock Golf Course was designed in 1941 by famed golf architect, Robert Trent Jones, Sr.

Baseball has been a part of Hancock for generations. A local Hancock native, Eddie Murphy, was a professional baseball player in the major leagues. "Honest Eddie" Murphy appeared in three World Series during his time in the MLB. Most recently, Hancock Central School joined forces with Deposit Central School for all sports, in 2016. The new sporting programs played under the name of, the D-H Eagles. Prior to that, from 2010 to 2015, the Hancock Wildcats won six section 4 baseball championships in a row. During the 2013 and 2014 season, they fell short of the state championship in the final game. In 2014 they fell to Smithtown Christian 7-4 in the state championship game. After many years of grind and determination, joining forces with Deposit in 2016, and falling in the state semi finals in 2017, the D-H Eagles final broke through and won their first State Championship. D-H defeated Fort Plain 9-3.

Geography The south-western town line, delineated by the Delaware River, is the border of Pennsylvania. The East Branch of the Delaware flows from east to west across the town, joining the West Branch at Hancock village to form the Delaware River proper. Upstream from Hancock village, the town line and state line are formed by the West Branch. NY Route 17 passes through the town, with access from Exits 87 through 90.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 161.8 square miles (419.1 km²), of which 158.8 square miles (411.3 km²) is land and 3.0 square miles (7.8 km²), or 1.85%, is water.

Communities • Cadosia — A hamlet north-east of Hancock village. • Centerville — A location in the northern part of the town on New York State Route 30. • Chiloway — A hamlet south-west of Peakville. • East Branch - The Hotel Delaware was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2004. • Fishs Eddy — A hamlet north-east of Hancock village on New York State Route 17. • French Woods — A hamlet near the centre of the town on New York State Route 97. • Goulds — A hamlet near the eastern town line. See Gould Cemetery website • Hancock — A village by the western town line. • Harvard — A location near the north-eastern town line on New York State Route 30. • Islamberg - a hamlet west of the village. • Kelsey — A hamlet at the north-western town line north of Hancock village and south of Cannonsville Reservoir. • Kerry Siding — A hamlet at the north-western town line. • Kerryville — A hamlet at the north-western town line. • Kilgore Spur — A location west of Lordville. • Kingswood Campsite — A Methodist campsite. • Long Flat — A location near the north-eastern town line. • Lordville — A hamlet by the Delaware River in the southern part of the town. The Lordville Presbyterian Church and the Ravina historic district are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. • Luzerne — A hamlet south-east of Fishs Eddy on New York State Route 28. • Methol — The Lower Shavertown Covered Bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1999. • Peakville — A hamlet west of East Branch (historically called Trout Brook). • Pea Brook — A location in the southern part of the town on New York State Route 97. • Peas Eddy — A hamlet east of Hancock village by the Delaware River. • Point Mountain Mausoleum — an abandoned mausoleum at the top of Point Mountain. • Readburn — A hamlet in the northern part of the town. • Rock Valley — A hamlet by the eastern town line. The Rock Valley School was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2008. • Tylers Switch — A hamlet east of Hancock village near New York State Route 17.