West Bend History
Before the United States claimed the Wisconsin territory in 1833, the West Bend
area was home to the Potawatomi and Menominee Indians. Settlers (attracted by
the Milwaukee River and the advantages it afforded industry and farming) began
to make their homes in the area, and a village was established in 1845. The
village – always a convenient midway stop between Milwaukee and Fond du Lac –
had 30 families by 1848, and public spaces and buildings were soon established.
The arrival of the railroad in 1873 spurred a period of rapid growth and
expansion, and the City of West Bend was incorporated in 1885. In 1961, the
community of Barton was incorporated into West Bend’s corporate boundaries, and
today’s population of over 30,000 reflects the solid community and economic
base forged by West Bend’s founders.
Location and Transportation
West Bend is located in the center of Wisconsin’s Washington County at the
junction of U.S. Highway 45 and State Highway 33. The community is less than an
hour drive northwest of Milwaukee and three hours from Chicago. Interstates 43
and 94, U.S. Highways 41 and 45, and State Highways 144 and 33 are easily
accessed from West Bend. Public transportation includes the City of West Bend
Taxi Service and Washington County Commuter Express bus service, which
transports people to and from the City of Milwaukee. General Mitchell
International Airport is located in Milwaukee, and the West Bend Municipal
Airport is located on the east side of West Bend on State Highway 33.
Homes
Attractive single-family homes, condominiums, and multiple-family housing units
are found throughout West Bend. Independent living units, assisted living and
county operated facilities provide choices for older adults and those in need
of housing assistance.
Parks and Recreation
Eisenbahn Trail, Regner Park, Lac Lawrann Conservancy
A unique blend of city and county parks – equipped with miles of trails, natural
areas and active recreation venues – are available to West Bend’s residents and
visitors.
The city’s park system has over 1,200 acres of parks and green space, including
the Milwaukee Riverfront Parkway. Approximately five miles of the 1,000-mile
National Ice Age Trail cross through West Bend’s Ridge Run County Park and the
city’s Glacial Blue Hills Recreation Area. The city’s 104-acre Lac Lawrann
Conservancy conducts ongoing environmental education programs, and has 5 miles
of trails. The Eisenbahn State Trail, extending from West Bend into eastern
Wisconsin, provides opportunities for hiking, bicycling, cross-country skiing
and more.
Riverside and Quaas Creek parks offer various recreation opportunities, and
Regner Park offers a beach and swimming area that becomes an ice skating rink
in the winter. Sixteen playgrounds exist within the city park system.
Riveredge Nature Center in nearby Newburg consists of 350 acres of natural
sanctuary-prairies, forests, ponds and marshes along the Milwaukee River. The
Kettle Moraine area is a special draw for bikers, skiers, snowmobilers, campers
and hikers.
Shopping
Shopping choices in West Bend include historic Downtown West Bend, major
retailers on Paradise Drive and the commercial corridors of Washington Street
and Main Street.
A combination of specialty shops and restaurants can be found in Downtown West
Bend to provide visitors with a unique shopping and dining experience.
Education
The West Bend School District incorporates a continuous improvement process
within each school to ensure student achievement is obtained. The District has
six elementary schools, two middle schools and the East and West High Schools.
Thirteen parochial schools are available in the area, and the YMCA, Montessori
Children’s House, Family Center of Washington County and churches throughout
the community provide daycare and age appropriate development opportunities,
plus private daycare facilities for children.
The West Bend Campus of Moraine Park Technical College and the University of
Wisconsin-Washington County provide the resources for individuals to pursue
certificates, diplomas, technical, associate and bachelor’s degrees.
Healthcare
The healthcare needs of the West Bend area are met by SynergyHealth (an
affiliation of the West Bend Clinic and St. Joseph’s Community Hospital),
Aurora Health Care and a host of health support services and practices.
Senior Living
Home to more than 1,000 seniors, Cedar Community is the largest senior service
organization in the area – offering independent and assisted living as well as
skilled nursing care.
In addition, Samaritan Home is a county facility that provides supervised care
for dependent adults in licensed group facilities.
Government
The City of West Bend serves as a county seat for Washington County. The city
itself is governed by a City Council, which consists of eight district aldermen
and a mayor elected at large.
The West Bend Police Department consists of 56 sworn police officers and 20
civilian employees, and the West Bend Fire Department has 40 paid professionals
on staff and 24 volunteer professionals that serve out of three fire stations.
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