Editing Hancock, Maine (section)

==Geography==

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the town has a total area of {{convert|38.87|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|30.04|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|8.83|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is water.<ref name ="Gazetteer files">{{cite web|title=US Gazetteer files 2010|url=https://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/gazetteer2010.html|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=December 16, 2012}}</ref> Drained by the Kilkenny Stream and Egypt Stream, Hancock is situated on Skillings River, Taunton Bay and [[Frenchman Bay]], part of the [[Atlantic Ocean]].

The town is crossed by [[U.S. Route 1 in Maine|U. S. Route 1]] and State Route 182. It borders the towns of [[Lamoine, Maine|Lamoine]] to the south, [[Ellsworth, Maine|Ellsworth]] to the west, T8 SD to the north, [[Franklin, Maine|Franklin]] to the east, and (separated by Taunton Bay and Frenchman's Bay) is near [[Sullivan, Maine|Sullivan]] and [[Sorrento, Maine|Sorrento]] to the southeast.

The Municipality (the entirety of the Town's area) is considered, generally, to be divided in to a few distinct divisions or areas:

Waukeag Neck—which includes the villages of neighborhoods of Hancock Point, Mount Desert Ferry, East Hancock ("Eastside"), South Hancock ("Westside" or "Westshore"), Waukeag Station Crossing, and the Town proper (Hancock Village). "The Neck" is bounded by the Taunton River to the northeast, Frenchman's Bay to the south, and Carrying Place Creek to the due west.

Mid-Hancock or Hancock Hills—which includes the villages or neighborhoods of Carrying Place Creek, Havey Point, Hyde Point, Hancock Hill (ORO or Old Route One Hill) and Franklin Roads. The area is largely coterminous with US Route One (US1 East) and is bounded by the Carrying Place Creek, Rte 1, and the Kilkenny Stream at Mud Creek Road.

Mud Creek—one of the smaller sections of town, the area abuts Kilkenny Stream and Pinkham Flats, adjacent to the town of Lamoine and includes the Mud Creek Marsh. This section includes neighborhoods such as Upper Mud Creek & Kilkenny Cove.

Northside—bounded by Egypt Stream, Hog Bay, and Route 182, the area includes the neighborhoods and hamlets of Castle Grove (also known as Austinwood, Austin Castle, and Castle Road), West Egypt, Franklin Roads North, Blease Hill, Spring Pond, and Deerfields.

Western Hancock—the larger chunk of the town's land area is adjacent to the City of Ellsworth and is generally thought to begin at the junction of Mud Creek Road and terminate at Washington Junction Rd and the city limits of Ellsworth and the town line with Lamoine. The area includes the neighborhoods of Washington Junction, Hancock Heights, Crescent Heights, and White Birches.

The summer colony of Hancock Point includes many historic properties, such as the Crocker House Country Inn, among a number summer cottages.

Hancock Village includes several historic or notable properties as well, such as Ironbound Inn & Restaurant (formerly Le Domaine) and the Pierre Monteaux School. The village also includes commercial, administrative, and social facilities, such as the Grammar School, Hancock Congregational Church, the US Postal Service, the Municipal Hall, among others.

The Town serves as one of the crossroads of Eastern Maine, being adjacent to the Mount Desert Island, Ellsworth, Schoodic Peninsula, and Schoodic Foothills / Hog Bay Areas. With an incredible number of scenic spots overlooking MDI, Taunton & Frenchman's Bay, in addition to its location at the centre of the region, Hancock is a both an attraction in its own right, as well as a basecamp for travellers and tourists. Two of Acadia National Park's most popular districts—Mount Desert Island and Schoodic Point—are approximately equidistant, and a short drive away. The Island Explorer's Downeast & Peninsula Routes pass through the community, connecting Bar Harbor, Ellsworth, and Winter Harbor.

With its convenient location, historic and charming neighborhoods, as well as its social and commercial facilities, Hancock is both a desirable bedroom community and business district adjacent to Eastern Maine's shire town of Ellsworth and the popular Mount Desert Island & Schoodic Peninsula Areas.