Hancock County was named by an act of the Illinois General Assembly on Jan. 13, 1825.
Two hundred years later, the community will celebrate its bicentennial on Monday, Jan. 13 with a flag-raising, tours of its 1908 courthouse, and a proclamation.
Here’s the schedule of events:
- 8:45 a.m., Flag-raising at the flagpole on the Hancock County Courthouse lawn, east side. The flag will be raised by Dan Moffitt, representing the Moffitt family, the only registered Bicentennial Farm in Hancock County and one of only 17 in the state of Illinois. Program then moves to the first floor rotunda inside for prayer, song, and remarks by Sheriff Travis Duffy.
- 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Courthouse tours with guides on each of the three levels.
- 1 p.m., Proclamation by County Board Chair Mark Menn in the main courtroom on the third floor, followed by historic information of the formation of the county by Joy Swearingen, retired editor of the Hancock County Journal Pilot, and Stephen G. Evans, retired Judge of the Ninth Judicial District State of Illinois. Closing remarks by Holly Wilde-Tillman, county clerk and recorder.
- 3:45 p.m., Lowering of the flag by scouts of Hancock County including Cub Scout Pack #39 and Cub Scout Troop #72. Flag will be presented to Holly Wilde-Tillman and will remain in the county courthouse for time immemorial.