[4] It is located approximately 7.5 miles (12.1 km) south of the Nebraska-Kansas state line.

The founders Geret Hollenberg and Sophia Brockmeyer settled their farm originally called "The Cottonwood Ranch" and later the "Hollenberg Station" alongside the Little Blue River, which became a popular stop along the Pony Express.

[5][6] Hollenberg, who laid out the original plans for the town in 1869, decided to name it Hanover after his hometown in Germany.

[6][9] A contemporary of Hollenberg wrote at the time that Hanover represented "just a little bit of Germany" in Kansas Territory.

[8] Access to the railroad was greatly contributed to the economic growth of Hanover, enabling the expansion of the local grain elevator.

[11] Additionally, following the movement of some Native groups to Oklahoma from the nearby Ottoe reservation, some land was annexed by the Hanover township, which allowed for further expansion as more white settlers moved into the area.

By comparison, most other Native American tribes in the central and northern Great Plains were only paid ten cents per acre.

Until World War I many residents of Hanover and the surrounding continued to speak their native languages, and to this day many German traditions remain an important aspect of town identity.

[15] German settlers often encountered Native people groups such as the Pawnee, Kansa, and the Kaw.

Contact between the German settlers and natives were mainly non-violent and few conflicts were reported between the various groups.

In fact, a substantial amount of trade took place between the settlers and the native groups.

[16] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.54 square miles (1.40 km2), all land.

[17] The 2020 United States census counted 690 people, 268 households, and 158 families in Hanover.

Hanover is a rural community, so its income is slightly lower than the state average.

[2] The community and nearby rural areas are served by Barnes–Hanover–Linn USD 223 public school district.

[33] Several Hanover High School students compete at the national level for the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) organization as well as at the state level for FBLA and possibly for other activities such as scholar bowl.

The high school also competes well in sports like basketball, football, and track and have won many state championships in Kansas 1a division 2.

Many Hanover students complete dual credit courses during high school at Cloud County Community College.

Hanover has a small public library located in the basement of the city hall.