Hancock has a rich history and a unique place in the state of Maryland. It’s located in the narrowest part of the state—less than two miles separate the Pennsylvania and West Virginia borders, and it’s one of the oldest settlements in Maryland. In the early 1700s it was the location of a trading post, and George Washington was known to have visited the area on several occasions. With the establishment of the National Road, Hancock grew as a transportation hub in the early 1800s.. The combined expansion of transportation routes coupled with the construction of the C&O Canal in the 1830s made Hancock a booming commercial center and brought an influx of immigrants to the area. During the Civil War, General Stonewall Jackson laid siege to the town but was never able to overtake it due to severe weather conditions.

Today, Hancock is a thriving small town that offers a slower-paced way of life, though it is only two hours from Baltimore and Washington, D.C. An active arts council sponsors concerts and events, and there are art galleries, a unique veterans memorial, numerous historical sites, great natural resources, and shops, including a bike shop with rentals and repairs. Hancock was designated Maryland’s official Trail Town in 2020. Besides the C&O Canal, the Tuscarora Trail runs through Hancock, and it is the trailhead for the Western Maryland Rail Trail, a 22-mile paved route that parallels the C&O Canal.

Visit Hancock’s website.

Download brochure: C&O Canal Trail to History: Hancock, Paw Paw, Oldtown, Cumberland