West Bend, Wisconsin#Library controversy

Northeastern Washington County's earliest known inhabitants were pre-Columbian Mound Builders, who constructed effigy mounds in the area sometime between 650 CE and 1300 CE. They were semi-nomadic and survived by hunting, fishing, and gathering wild plants. They made pottery and constructed tools from bone, wood, stone, and occasionally copper.{{cite web|title=Lizard Mound County Park (Hagner Group) |url=http://www.wisconsinmounds.com/LizardMoundCountyPark.html |publisher=wisconsinmounds.com (archive of images of placards in the park) |access-date=January 12, 2020}} They built effigy mounds shaped like mammals, reptiles, birds and other creatures, both real and mythical, as well as conical, oval, and linear mounds, some of which contain human burials.{{sfn|Quickert|1912|pp=13-15}} Some mounds in the West Bend area were destroyed by settlers to create farm fields, but several dozen survive and are listed on the National Register of Historic Places as the Washington County "Island" Effigy Mound District, which includes the Lizard Mound County Park site in nearby Farmington as well as several privately owned sites.{{cite news|last1=Anderson|first1=Donald N.|title=Lizard Mound State Park|url={{NRHP url|id=70000038}}|access-date=December 18, 2016|work=NRHP Inventory-Nomination Form|publisher=National Park Service|date=March 25, 1970}}

In the early 19th century when the first White settlers arrived in Southeastern Wisconsin, the Potawatomi and Menominee Indians inhabited the land now occupied by the City of West Bend.{{cite web|title=Community|url=http://www.wbachamber.org/community.htm|website=West Bend Area Chamber|access-date=August 20, 2014}} In 1831, the Menominee surrendered their claims to the land to the United States Federal Government through the Treaty of Washington. The Potawatomi surrendered their land claims in 1833 through the 1833 Treaty of Chicago, which (after being ratified in 1835) required them to leave the area by 1838.{{sfn|Quickert|1912|pp=17}}{{cite journal |last1 = Gerwing |first1 = Anselm J. |title = The Chicago Indian Treaty of 1833 |journal = Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society |date = Summer 1964 |volume = 57 |issue = 2 |pages = 117–142 |jstor = 40190019 |issn = 0019-2287 }} While many Native people moved west of the Mississippi River to Kansas, some chose to remain, and were referred to as "strolling Potawatomi" in contemporary documents because many of them were migrants who subsisted by squatting on their ancestral lands, which were now owned by settlers.{{cite web|title=Potawatomi History|url=https://www.mpm.edu/content/wirp/ICW-152|publisher=Milwaukee Public Museum|access-date=February 20, 2020}} In the mid-1800s, there was a large Native American village on the shore of Silver Lake, southwest of the modern-day City of West Bend.{{sfn|Quickert|1912|pp=18}} Eventually the Potawatomi who evaded forced removal gathered in northern Wisconsin, where they formed the Forest County Potawatomi Community.

The present-day city traces its origins to two communities that formed when the first White settlers arrived in the mid-1840s. One community was West Bend, and the other was the now-defunct Village of Barton. In 1845, the Wisconsin Territorial Legislature authorized the construction of a road to connect Fond du Lac and Milwaukee with a new settlement near the halfway point to provide provisions and overnight accommodations for travelers. Byron Kilbourn, James Kneeland, and Erastus B. Wolcott were the commissioners tasked with constructing the new settlement, and they decided to locate it on a westward bend in the Milwaukee River—the present-day location of the City of West Bend—because of the river's potential as a power source for mills.{{cite web|title=Encyclopedia of Milwaukee: West Bend |url=https://emke.uwm.edu/entry/west-bend/|publisher=University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee|access-date=August 20, 2020}} By the end of 1845, they had purchased eight eighty-acre tracts of land along the river, and invited local landowner E. N. Higgins to join their venture as well. In 1846, Wolcott constructed a dam and a sawmill in the new community, and in 1848, he constructed a gristmill.{{sfn|Quickert|1912|pp=47}}

In 1845, land surveyor and early settler Barton Salisbury built a sawmill on the river north of West Bend. The community that grew around the mill was known as Salisbury's Mills before to the name was changed to Barton in 1853. Additional sawmills and gristmills sprang up on the river in the community's early years, and by 1855, Barton's population was over 1,000, making it larger than neighboring West Bend.{{cite web|title=Encyclopedia of Milwaukee: Town of Barton |url=https://emke.uwm.edu/entry/town-of-barton/#_ftn8-entry |publisher=University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee|access-date=August 20, 2020}} Despite its early growth, however, Barton would be overshadowed by West Bend in the coming decades.

File:Washington County Courthouse Wisconsin.jpg was constructed in West Bend in 1889. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982 and now serves as a local history museum.]]

The Wisconsin Territorial legislature created the Town of West Bend on January 20, 1846. At the time, the town included land that is now part of the City of West Bend, as well as the neighboring towns of Barton, Farmington, Kewaskum, and Trenton.{{sfn|Quickert|1912|pp=37}}

In the 1840s and early 1850s, Washington County included the land along Lake Michigan that is now Ozaukee County, Wisconsin. Port Washington served as the county seat, which was controversial at the time. West Bend, Cedarburg, and Grafton vied for position of Washington County seat and the material advantages it would entail. In 1850, the Wisconsin legislature voted to bisected Washington County into northern and southern counties, with Port Washington and Cedarburg as the county seats, respectively. County residents failed to ratify the bill, because there were voting irregularities in some communities. In 1853 the legislature instead bisected the county into eastern and western sections, creating Ozaukee County. Port Washington became the seat of the new county, and the Washington County seat moved to West Bend.{{sfn|Quickert|1912|pp=51-52}} The bisection was controversial. When Washington County officials from West Bend arrived in Port Washington to collect relevant county records, they were run out of town, and Ozaukee County officials refused to hand over the records for several months.{{cite web|title=Encyclopedia of Milwaukee: Ozaukee County|url=https://emke.uwm.edu/entry/ozaukee-county/|publisher=University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee|access-date=August 20, 2020}}{{sfn|Quickert|1912|pp=52}}

On November 25, 1853, the County Board of Supervisors attempted to change the name of West Bend to Lamartine City. However, this change was not well-received and the name was changed back 18 hours later.{{cite web|url=http://genealogytrails.com/wis/washington/history_westbend.htm|website=genealogytrails.com|title=Free Family Records for Researching Ancestry in Washington County, Wisconsin|access-date=April 25, 2021}}

In November 1862 during the American Civil War, the draft was unpopular with some Washington County residents, including German immigrants who had experienced or fled conscription in their homelands.{{cite web|title=Civil War: Draft Riots (1862)|date=3 August 2012 |url=https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/Records/Article/CS1803|publisher=Wisconsin Historical Society|access-date=August 21, 2020}} On the day that men from the nearby Town of Trenton were being drafted at the courthouse in West Bend, a mob disrupted the proceedings and forced the draft commissioner to flee to Milwaukee. On November 22, 1862, the commissioner returned to West Bend with six companies of the 30th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment to prevent further disruptions.{{sfn|Quickert|1912|pp=120-121}}

West Bend was incorporated as a village in 1868.{{Cite web|url=https://theclio.com/entry/130165|title=Old West Bend City Hall|website=Clio}} railroad station was constructed in West Bend in 1873, bringing new residents, businesses and economic connections into the community. The community had previously only been located on the western bank of the Milwaukee River, but in the 1870s residents began to develop property on the river's eastern bank as well. In March 1885, West Bend incorporated as a city.{{Cite web|url=http://www.ci.west-bend.wi.us/General+Info/History+of+West+Bend/history_of_wb.htm|title=Welcome to the City of West Bend, WI|website=www.ci.west-bend.wi.us}}

File:Amity Leather Products Co NRHP 02000778 Washington County, WI.jpg factory in the city in 1925, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.]]

In the 1890s, West Bend's economy began to transition from a rural market town to an industrial community. Early manufacturers included the Schmidt and Stork Wagon Company; the Enger-Kress Pocketbook Company, which moved its operations to West Bend in 1884;{{cite web|title=Enger-Kress Pocketbook Co. was founded by German immigrants|date=31 August 2017 |url=https://www.gmtoday.com/business/enger-kress-pocketbook-co-was-founded-by-german-immigrants/article_2b9b7b0e-91b9-50d0-822b-a1505ebf2367.html|publisher=Conley Media|access-date=August 21, 2020}} the West Bend Aluminum Company, which began manufacturing low-cost aluminum utensils in 1911; and Amity Leather, which was founded in West Bend in 1915 and was once the world's largest manufacturer of leather billfolds.{{cite web|title=West Bend, Wisconsin - A Brief History|date=27 July 2012 |url=https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/Records/Article/CS2461|publisher=Wisconsin Historical Society|access-date=August 21, 2020}} Other 20th century manufacturers in West Bend included Pick Manufacturing Company, which fabricated automotive parts; Gehl Brothers Manufacturing Company, which produced construction and agricultural equipment; and West Bend Concrete Products.

Barton also benefited from West Bend's growth in the early 20th century, and the community incorporated as the Village of Barton in 1925. However, the village existed for fewer than four decades before being annexed by the City of West Bend on November 1, 1961.

During World War II, West Bend experienced labor shortages because many local men had been conscripted into the military. In 1944 and 1945, Pick Manufacturing Company and the West Bend Canning Company addressed labor shortages by contracting German prisoners of war from local POW camps in Little Kohler and Rockfield.{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zD-kby0LiuEC&pg=PA123|title=Stalag Wisconsin: Inside WW II Prisoner-of-war Camps|last=Cowley|first=Betty|date=January 1, 2002|publisher=Badger Books Inc.|isbn=9781878569837|pages=120–125, 227–231|language=en}}

West Bend experienced dramatic population growth during the post–World War II economic expansion. As automobiles became more commonplace, more people moved to West Bend and commuted for work, taking advantage of new roads such as U.S. Route 45, which connected West Bend to Milwaukee. Between 1950 and 1990 the population more than tripled from 6,849 to 23,916, and the city annexed land from the surrounding towns as well as the Village of Barton.

The West Bend tornado on April 4, 1981, struck the city, killing 3 people directly and 3 indirectly (totaling 6 deaths), and injuring either 53 or more than 100 (estimates from different sources differ).{{cite news|title=6 Are Killed and 100 Hurt in Tornado in Wisconsin|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1981/04/05/us/6-are-killed-and-100-hurt-in-tornado-in-wisconsin.html|access-date=August 25, 2014|work=New York Times|date=April 5, 1981}}{{Cite journal |last=Wakimoto |first=Roger M. |date=January 1983 |title=The West Bend, Wisconsin Storm of 4 April 1981: A Problem in Operational Meteorology |url=https://journals.ametsoc.org/view/journals/apme/22/1/1520-0450_1983_022_0181_twbwso_2_0_co_2.xml |department=Notes |journal=Journal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology |language=en |publisher=American Meteorological Society |volume=22 |issue=1 |pages=181–189 |doi=10.1175/1520-0450(1983)022<0181:TWBWSO>2.0.CO;2 |issn=1520-0450 |quote=a storm [...] caused three fatalities and 53 injuries in West Bend, Wisconsin |quote-page=181}} There is a monument at a park near Green Tree Elementary School.

In 2009, a controversy arose after a local couple complained to the West Bend Community Memorial Library about the presence of "sexually explicit books" and "books for youth on homosexuality" in the young adult section of the library.[http://www.bannedinwestbend.info/west-bend-wi/documents/FebLetters.pdf?attredirects=0 Maziarkas' February 2009 Letters to West Bend Library]{{Cite web|url=http://www.west-bendlibrary.org/alahandout.pdf|title=Handout, West Bend Community Library}} A petition{{Cite web|url=https://accounts.google.com/v3/signin/identifier?continue=https%3A%2F%2Fsites.google.com%2Fsite%2Fsites%2Fsystem%2Ferrors%2FWebspaceNotFound%3Fpath%3D%2Fwbcitizens4safelibraries%2FHome%2FPetitiontotheWestBendLibraryBoard.doc&followup=https%3A%2F%2Fsites.google.com%2Fsite%2Fsites%2Fsystem%2Ferrors%2FWebspaceNotFound%3Fpath%3D%2Fwbcitizens4safelibraries%2FHome%2FPetitiontotheWestBendLibraryBoard.doc&ifkv=Ab5oB3qK6T5_xGwjNsNpTqk1bJ8XSx5m6UYIqXAG6tLfjkEXfDBAN_ibg1I6XsNnOlv26w9RsRAfyg&passive=1209600&service=jotspot&flowName=GlifWebSignIn&flowEntry=ServiceLogin&dsh=S-1811775939%3A1723979105609598&ddm=0|title=Google Sites: Sign-in|website=accounts.google.com}} called on the library to label the identified books as explicit, move them to the adult section of the library, install Internet content filters on the library's computers, and "adopt a policy to attain balance in the viewpoints of selections (both affirming and opposing) that the libraries carry in issues sufficiently controversial within the West Bend community (i.e. homosexuality). Specifically, we request faith-based and/or ex-gay books affirming traditional heterosexual perspectives be added to the library."

The West Bend Common Council refused to reappoint four library trustees whose terms were ending.[http://activepaper.olivesoftware.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=V0JETi8yMDA5LzA0LzIyI0FyMDAxMDI=&Mode=HTML&Locale=english-skin-custom Four Tossed Off Library Board], West Bend Daily News, April 22, 2009 One councilman complained that the library board was stonewalling the complaint, while another asserted that the library trustees were not serving the interests of the community “with their ideology.”{{cite web|last1=Zimmer|first1=Michael|title=Update on West Bend Library Controversy: Board Members Removed, ALA and Free Speech Groups Object|url=http://dc.uwm.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1137&context=west_bend_library_challenge|website=University of Wisconsin Milwaukee|publisher=UWM Digital Commons|access-date=August 20, 2014}} The council's actions were widely criticized, and local citizens unsuccessfully sought to have the vote rescinded.[http://www.ala.org/ala/alonline/currentnews/newsarchive/2009/may2009/westbendbdslammed5409.cfm Dismissal of Wisconsin Board Members Draws National Censure]American Libraries May 4, 2009[http://activepaper.olivesoftware.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=V0JETi8yMDA5LzA1LzE5I0FyMDAxMDM=&Mode=HTML&Locale=english-skin-custom Vote on Library Board Stands] West Bend Daily News May 19, 2009[http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/slj/articles/censorship/857438-341/west_bend_city_council_fails.html.csp West Bend City Council Fails to Reinstate Library Board Members], School Library Journal, May 20, 2009 After a public hearing on the petition in June 2009,[http://www.jsonline.com/news/ozwash/46772872.html Library board rejects restrictions], Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, June 2, 2009. the library board voted to reject any restrictions on young adults' access to books in the library.{{Cite web|url=https://archive.jsonline.com/news/ozwash/46772872.html/|title=Library board rejects restrictions|website=archive.jsonline.com}}[http://activepaper.olivesoftware.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=V0JETi8yMDA5LzA2LzAzI0FyMDAxMDA=&Mode=HTML&Locale=english-skin-custom Library Board Will Stay the Course] West Bend Daily News June 3, 2009

Four Wisconsin men belonging to the Christian Civil Liberties Union filed a claim against the West Bend library, asking for $30,000 apiece for "emotional distress", and that Francesca Lia Block's book Baby Be-Bop be "burned or destroyed."{{cite web|title=Books Challenged or Banned in 2009-2010|url=http://www.ila.org/banned-books/item/289-books-challenged-or-banned-in-2009-2010/289-books-challenged-or-banned-in-2009-2010|website=www.ila.org|publisher=Illinois Library Association|access-date=August 25, 2014}}[http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/07/22/wisconsin.book.row/ Library fight riles up city, leads to book-burning demand], CNN.com, July 22, 2009[https://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=7874866&page=1 Library Book Riles Small Wisconsin Town], ABCNews.com, June 19, 2009[http://www.salon.com/books/feature/2009/06/16/francesca_lia_block/index.html A teen book burns at the stake], Salon.com, June 16, 2009

The Washington County Historical Society operates four distinct museums located in West Bend.{{cite web|title=Hours & Fees|url=http://www.historyisfun.com/?page_id=259|website=Washington County Historical Society|access-date=August 20, 2014}} Buildings and sites that have been deemed historic by official bodies include:

• Old Courthouse Museum
• Old Sheriff's Residence and Jail
• West Bend Company/Regal Ware Museum
• Father Rehrl's Rectory at St. Agnes Historic Site

Downtown West Bend has a movie theater which originally opened in 1929. The theater was last renovated in 1992 to house a total of three movie screens.{{cite web|title=West Bend Cinema Brewhaus|url=http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/1656|website=Cinema Treasures|access-date=August 20, 2014}} The theater was closed and listed for sale in January 2012, with a purchase occurring in May 2012.{{cite web|title=Property Detail|url=http://www.coldwellbankeronline.com/property/details/2105718/MLS-1201314/125-N-Main-St-West-Bend-WI-53095.aspx|website=coldwellbankeronline.com|access-date=August 20, 2014}} The movie theatre has since reopened and hosts many plays and movies. It is now being advertised as "The Bend."

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of {{convert|14.72|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which, {{convert|14.57|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|0.15|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is water.{{cite web|title=US Gazetteer files 2010|url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=November 18, 2012}}

West Bend is in the Kettle Moraine region, and its topography is varied. The glacial activity has formed many kettles and hills throughout the region.

The average temperature in West Bend ranges from a high of {{cvt|81|F}} (July) to a low average temperature of {{cvt|11|F}} (January). Record high and low temperatures are {{cvt|107|F}} and {{cvt|-30|F}}, respectively.{{cite web|title=Average Weather for West Bend|url=http://www.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/53095|publisher=The Weather Channel|access-date=July 18, 2014}} The average annual rainfall is {{cvt|31.4|in}}. The average annual snow measures {{cvt|45.6|in}}.{{cite web|title=Climate in West Bend, WI|url=http://www.bestplaces.net/climate/city/wisconsin/west_bend|website=Sperling's Best Places|access-date=July 18, 2014}}

{{US Census population

|1870= 1058

|1880= 1273

|1890= 1296

|1900= 2119

|1910= 2462

|1920= 3378

|1930= 4760

|1940= 5452

|1950= 6849

|1960= 9969

|1970= 16555

|1980= 21484

|1990= 23916

|2000= 28152

|2010= 31078

|2020= 31752

|

|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}

}}

As of the census{{cite web|title=U.S. Census website|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=November 18, 2012}} of 2020, there were 31,630 people, 12,769 households, and 8,250 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|2133.0|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 13,546 housing units at an average density of {{convert|929.7|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units |units|}}. The racial makeup of the city was 94.77% White, 1.61% African American, 0.05% Native American, 0.83%Asian, 1.38% from other races, and 1.35% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.9% of the population.

There were 12,769 households, of which 32.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.1% were married couples living together, 10.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 35.4% were non-families. 29.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.96.

The median age in the city was 37 years. 24.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.4% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 28.9% were from 25 to 44; 24.3% were from 45 to 64; and 14.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.3% male and 51.7% female.

Although many current residents of West Bend work in neighboring communities, the city's economy has been historically based in manufacturing and financial services. West Bend Mutual Insurance Company was founded in the city in 1894{{Cite web |url=http://www.thesilverlining.com/default.aspx |title=West Bend Mutual Insurance Co. website |access-date=January 19, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100315095253/http://www.thesilverlining.com/default.aspx |archive-date=March 15, 2010 |url-status=dead }} and West Bend Savings Bank (now Westbury Bank) in 1926.{{Cite web|url=http://www.manta.com/coms2/dnbcompany_crhk9s|title=Manta.com on West Bend Savings Bank}} The West Bend Aluminum Company (later the West Bend Company) was founded in 1911 by Bernhard C. Ziegler,{{cite web |title=Bernhard "Ben" C. Ziegler |url=https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=143955 |website=The Historical Marker Database |access-date=18 January 2022 |date=December 30, 2019 |quote=Ben Ziegler also founded the West Bend Company}} and remained in West Bend until 2003.{{citation needed|date=January 2022}} Ziegler had previously founded the securities brokerage company B.C. Ziegler in 1902.{{cite web |title=The Ziegler Companies, Inc History |url=http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/the-ziegler-companies-inc-history/ |website=Funding Universe |access-date=18 January 2022 |quote=18-year-old Bernhard C. "Ben" Ziegler takes over an insurance business in West Bend, Wisconsin.}} Ziegler would later run for Mayor in 1914.

In 1915, Robert H. Rolfs founded Amity Leather in downtown West Bend, which eventually became the world's largest manufacturer of leather billfolds.{{Cite web|url=http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/hp/buildings/restorations/amity_west_bend.asp|title=From Billfold Empire to Affordable Palace: Amity Leather Products Factory, West Bend, Wisconsin}} Amity leather left the city in 1996. The strong economy in West Bend in the 1930s led Ripley's Believe it or Not to claim that West Bend was the only city in the United States that did not enter the Great Depression. In 1949, the printing company Serigraph, Inc. was founded in a garage in West Bend and went on to employ people all over the world.{{Cite web|url=http://www.serigraph.com/history.html|title=Serigraph History}} The Gehl Company is also located in West Bend.{{Cite web|url=http://www.gehl.com/|title=GEHL Compact Equipment for Construction and Agriculture - Home|website=www.gehl.com}}

The Army National Guard operates an armory near the airport, at 125 Chopper Drive, West Bend.

A paved riverwalk snakes through the city along the banks of the Milwaukee River. The Eisenbahn State Trail,{{Cite web|url=https://www.ci.west-bend.wi.us/departments/PRF/Eisenbahn.htm|title=Welcome to the City of West Bend, WI|website=www.ci.west-bend.wi.us}} a Rails to Trails project, has added another trail for walking, running, biking, and roller skating. The 1,000-mile National Ice Age Trail crosses through West Bend. West Bend also has over 1,200 acres of parks and green space.

Just north of downtown is Regner Park, which offers a wooded area for hiking, a baseball diamond, a community swimming pond with a beach, a fishing pond, and several softball and soccer fields. On the southeast side of the city is Quaas Creek Park, home to the Roman "Doc" Gonring Athletic Complex and Quaas Creek Trail.{{Cite web|url=http://www.ci.west-bend.wi.us/departments/PRF/Adobe+Acrobat+Files/News+Articles+2005/2005-NOVEMBER-Quaas+Creek+Trail.pdf|title=Welcome to the City of West Bend, WI|website=www.ci.west-bend.wi.us}} This facility includes scenic bike/pedestrian trails, a canoe launch, three softball fields with two concession stands, and a children's play area. Lac Lawrann Conservancy, offers a 137-acre nature preserve and 5 miles of trails.

A farmers' market is held in Downtown West Bend on Saturday mornings from May through October each year. The market is one of the largest in Southeastern Wisconsin. It includes entertainment from various sources and boasts over 65 vendors, selling produce, fruits, meats, eggs, maple syrup, bakery items, spices, soaps, herbal products, prepared foods and more.{{cite web|title=Events|url=http://www.downtownwestbend.com/events.html|website=Downtown West Bend|access-date=August 20, 2014}}{{cite news|last1=Bernier|first1=Brian|title=In search of 'real food' at local markets|url=http://www.htrnews.com/story/life/2014/08/09/search-real-food-local-markets/13826217/|access-date=August 21, 2014|work=Herald Times|date=August 9, 2014}} It was listed as a favorite farmers' market in Vogue magazine.{{cite news|last1=Frank|first1=Alex|title=Vogue Staffers Pick Their Favorite Farmers' Markets|url=http://www.vogue.com/culture/article/farmers-markets-around-the-world/#1|access-date=August 20, 2014|work=Vogue|date=August 1, 2014}}

Entertainment on Thursday nights in the summer is provided by Music on Main. The street in Downtown West Bend is closed to traffic and a different band takes the stage at Old Settler's Park each week. One local restaurant is designated each week to provide food and beverages for purchase.

Maxwell Street Days and German Fest are two summer events held in the downtown. Riverfest (formerly Seafood Fest) is held every year at Regner Park on the first weekend in June.{{cite web|last1=German|first1=Peter|title=The Inaugural Riverfest 2014 was a success!|url=http://www.clubrunner.ca/Portal/story/StoryDetail.aspx?accountid=6134&sid=421611&stid=|website=Rotary Club of West Bend|access-date=August 20, 2014}} A more recent annual event in Riverside Park is JazzFest.

West Bend has been branded the “Geocaching Capital of the Midwest™,“ boasting over 1,200 caches within a 10-mile radius of the city. An annual "Cache Ba$h" has been sponsored by the West Bend Area Chamber of Commerce since 2008.{{cite web|title=West Bend $1000 Cache Ba$h 2014|url=http://www.geocaching.com/geocache/GC4KJR0_west-bend-1000-cache-bah-2014?guid=b91e9962-b396-4308-8f8b-7d7cdaed2a35|website=www.geocaching.com|access-date=August 20, 2014}}

A holiday light show, Enchantment in the Park, was moved to Regner Park in West Bend in 2012 (previously it was hosted at the Washington County Fair Park).{{cite news|last1=Flanigan|first1=Kathy|title=Hit the lights for Enchantment Park this month|url=http://www.jsonline.com/entertainment/hit-the-lights-for-enchantment-park-this-month-rd2uuhk-133381538.html|access-date=August 20, 2014|work=Journal Sentinel|date=November 7, 2011}} The event accepts donations to support local food pantries.{{cite news|title=West Bend's "Enchantment in the Park" provides holiday entertainment and support for local food pantries|url=http://new.scenenewspaper.com/2013/12/west-bends-enchantment-in-the-park-provides-holiday-entertainment-and-support-for-local-food-pantries/|access-date=August 20, 2014|work=Scene|date=December 1, 2013}} The event also includes an opportunity to visit Santa and ice skating on the pond at Regner Park.

West Bend is also home of the Museum of Wisconsin Art, an art museum dedicated to showing the works of Wisconsin artists.{{cite news|last1=Schumacher|first1=Mary|title=Museum of Wisconsin Art creates international residency in Luxembourg|url=http://www.jsonline.com/entertainment/arts/museum-of-wisconsin-art-creates-international-residency-in-luxembourg-b99316045z1-268143342.html|access-date=August 21, 2014|work=Journal Sentinel|date=July 22, 2014}}

The Washington County Fair Park and Conference Center is located five miles south of the city. Numerous events are held throughout the year, including the Washington County Fair.{{cite news|last1=Foran|first1=Chris|title=ZZ Top cancels Washington County Fair show|url=http://www.jsonline.com/entertainment/musicandnightlife/zz-top-cancels-washington-county-fair-show-b99315795z1-268109472.html|access-date=August 21, 2014|work=Journal Sentinel|date=July 22, 2014}} The facility was built in 1999 and has a 24,000 sq. ft. pavilion, Agricultural and Equestrian Complexes and theater entertainment areas.{{cite web |title=Washington County Fair Park |url=http://events.jsonline.com/west_bend_wi/venues/show/678423-washington-county-fair-park |website=events.jsonline.com |access-date=13 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140826160950/http://events.jsonline.com/west_bend_wi/venues/show/678423-washington-county-fair-park |archive-date=August 26, 2014 |language=en}}

The city is governed by the City Council, consisting of the mayor and eight aldermen. Each Alderman term last 2 years. Alderman elections occur every spring, where half of the current Alderman seats are up for election. Every 3 years the mayoral election is included in the spring elections.{{cite web|title=West Bend Municipal Code Section 2|url=https://imageserv11.team-logic.com/mediaLibrary/2023/02_chapter_municipal_code_1.pdf|access-date=July 18, 2014}} The City of West Bend created a BID Board on January 1st, 2001 for their downtown area.{{Cite web | url=https://cms9files.revize.com/westbendwi/Downtown-BID/2024-BID_Operating-Plan.pdf | title=Downtown West Bend Business Improvement District - 2024 Operating Plan | website=revize.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.ci.west-bend.wi.us/government/boards_committees_commissions/boards/downtown_business_improvement_district_(bid)_board.php|title=Welcome to the City of West Bend, WI|website=www.ci.west-bend.wi.us}} West Bend was a village from 1868 until it was incorporated as a city in 1885. During that time they had Village Presidents instead of Mayors. The term for Village President was one year.

Former mayor Kraig Sadownikow announced his resignation as mayor on October 21, 2019, following a closed session. The reasoning for his resignation was because of an upcoming development where he had a current business relationship with the people involved for over 15 years, and Sadownikow was concerned he would have a bias regarding it. This situation had been addressed to Sadowinkow and a part of the community shared his concern with bias. Sadownikow said "I’ve got to separate my business life from my service life and the best way to maintain my own integrity and the integrity of the office and the project is for me to resign". Sadownikow's resignation was immediate.{{cite web | url=https://www.washingtoncountyinsider.com/breaking-news-west-bend-mayor-kraig-sadownikow-has-resigned/ | title=BREAKING NEWS | West Bend Mayor Kraig Sadownikow has resigned - Washington County Insider | date=21 October 2019 }} The City Council held a special meeting to decide what will happen. The council decided to have an interim mayor finish off the rest of Sadownikow's mayoral term. District 6 Alderman Steve Hoogester was appointed as interim mayor on November 4, 2019. Hoogester returned to his role as District 6 Alderman after he completed Sadownikow's term.{{cite web | url=https://www.washingtoncountyinsider.com/challenging-process-of-picking-an-interim-mayor-in-west-bend/ | title=Challenging process of picking an interim mayor in West Bend - Washington County Insider | date=31 October 2019 }}

Former Mayor Doug Bade resigned from his office in late May in order to pursue an out-of-state job. The common council was tasked with appointing an interim mayor to serve the last 10 months of Bade's term. On June 5, the council decided to appoint their council president Kristine Deiss. This proved to be a controversial decision as the vote to appoint her was blocked when Aldermen Allen Carter, Terry Vrana, and Scott Frederick walked out. Eventually, on June 10 the vote was held successfully.{{cite web | url=https://www.gmtoday.com/business/3-west-bend-aldermen-block-mayoral-appointment/article_c1598a4c-42b2-58f6-9207-c92067ab27a9.html | title=3 West Bend aldermen block mayoral appointment | date=5 June 2007 }} Kristine Deiss was able to win reelection after she finished off Bade's term.

The city is served by the West Bend School District. The public schools in the district include six elementary schools, two middle schools, and two high schools that share the same building.{{citation needed|date=February 2021}}

A public charter school, Pathways, was created in the 2014–2015 school year, serving grades 7–10. The school began serving grades 7–12 during the 2016–2017 school year. Pathways Charter School closed permanently on June 30, 2019.

The two high schools, West Bend East and West Bend West, are housed in a single building. The schools share facilities, but are operated as independent schools. Each school has its own sports teams and mascot.

The two middle schools are Silverbrook Intermediate School and Badger middle school. Each school serves grades 5-6 and 7-8 respectively.

Rolf's Educational Center provides Head Start, Title I, and Early childhood education programs. The district also operates an alternative school, the West Bend Online Learning Academy. Post-secondary schools in West Bend include Moraine Park Technical College.

There are also a number of Pre-K and K–8 private schools in West Bend. Lutheran schools include Good Shepherd Lutheran School,{{Cite web|url=http://www.goodshepherdwels.org/site/default.asp?sec_id=140007670|title=Good Shepherd Lutheran School}} of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod, Trinity Lutheran School,{{Cite web|url=https://school.trinityels.org/welcome-from-the-principal/|title=Welcome from the Principal – Trinity ELS School}} of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod, and St. John's Lutheran School,{{cite web|url=http://www.stjohnswestbend.org/school/|title=St Johns West Bend – School|website=stjohnswestbend.org|access-date=April 25, 2021}} of the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod.

Roman Catholic schools include St. Frances Cabrini School{{cite web|url=https://school.saintfrancescabrini.com/|title=Saint Frances Cabrini School - West Bend, WI|website=school.saintfrancescabrini.com|access-date=April 25, 2021}} and Holy Angels School.{{cite web|url=https://www.hawb.org/|title=Holy Angels Catholic Church - Home |website=hawb.org|access-date=April 25, 2021}}

West Bend has a country music station, WMBZ (92.5 FM) and a classic rock station, WRYU (1470 AM). The official newspaper of the City of West Bend is the West Bend Daily News.{{cite web|title=Organizational Meeting Minutes April 15, 2014|url=https://api11.team-logic.com/downloadPubFileFile.cfm?i=2023&t=40493&f=50753|access-date=August 21, 2014}}

The West Bend Booster is an independent, family-owned newspaper covering the area and has an office in West Bend.{{cite web|url=http://www.booster-ads.com/pages/publication_contactus|title=Contact Us|publisher=The Booster|access-date=August 21, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141017100202/http://www.booster-ads.com/pages/publication_contactus|archive-date=October 17, 2014}} In 2020, due to COVID-19, The Booster's parent company, Booster Publications, announced that they would permanently close.{{cite news |title=Booster Publications permanently closes |url=https://www.gmtoday.com/business/booster-publications-permanently-closes/article_178d6ff2-7fdd-11ea-afae-37fa9b925dc1.html |access-date=January 18, 2022 |work=Greater Milwaukee Today |date=April 16, 2020}}

The city of West Bend and the West Bend School District maintain their own separate public, educational, and government access channels, carried by both Spectrum and AT&T U-verse throughout the region and also [https://westbend.viebit.com/ online].

The West Bend Municipal Airport is a city-owned, public-use airport located three nautical miles (6 km) east of the central business district of West Bend.{{cite web|title=Airport Master Record|url=http://www.gcr1.com/5010web/airport.cfm?Site=ETB|website=AirportIQ|access-date=August 20, 2014}}

The options for public transportation within West Bend include the city and county taxi programs. The Washington County Commuter Express previously provided bus service to and from the city of Milwaukee until 2023 when the county ended the service.

The city of West Bend is served by US 45 as a freeway bypass west of Downtown, Wis 33, and Wis 144.

The Union Pacific line between Milwaukee and West Bend serves here while the line was abandoned between here and Campbellsport.

{{more citations needed|section|date=February 2021}}

{{div col}}

• William Arnemann, Wisconsin state representative
• Samuel S. Barney, judge
• Zack Baun, football player
• Mathias J. Berres, farmer and Wisconsin state representative
• Bill B. Bruhy, Wisconsin state representative
• Ward Christensen, computer scientist
• James Davison, Wisconsin state representative
• John DeMerit, baseball player
• Almah Jane Frisby, physician and professor
• Leander F. Frisby, lawyer
• Bob Gannon, Wisconsin State representative
• Kenneth William Haebig, Wisconsin state representative
• Fred H. Hildebrandt, U.S. representative
• Theodore Holtebeck, Wisconsin state representative
• George F. Hunt, Wisconsin state senator and physician
• Ken Jungels, baseball player
• Florian Lampert, U.S. representative
• Scott May, baseball player
• Stephen F. Mayer, Wisconsin state senator
• Willie Mueller, baseball player
• Andrew P. O'Meara, United States Army officer
• B. S. Potter, Wisconsin state representative
• Ryan Rohlinger, baseball player
• John W. Salter, Wisconsin state representative
• Frederick C. Schroeder, Wisconsin state representative
• Richard H. E. Smith II, software engineer and computer consultant
• Dave Steckel, hockey player
• Jordan Stolz, World Champion speed skater
• Patricia Strachota, Wisconsin state representative
• Frank Weddig, Colorado State Legislator
• Viola S. Wendt, poet
• Morgan White, gymnast

{{div col end}}

• {{flagdeco|Japan}} Aisho, Shiga, Japan{{cite web |title=Sister Cities |url=https://www.ci.west-bend.wi.us/government/sister_cities/index.php |website=City of West Bend |access-date=January 18, 2022}}
• {{flagdeco|Germany}} Heppenheim, Hesse, Germany
• {{flagdeco|Bulgaria}} Pazardzhik, Bulgaria

{{Reflist}}

• {{Cite book|last=Quickert|first=Carl|title=Washington County, Wisconsin: Past and Present|url=https://archive.org/details/washingtoncounty01quic|date=1912|publisher=S. J. Clarke Publishing Company|location=Chicago, IL}}

{{Commons category|West Bend, Wisconsin}}

• [http://www.ci.west-bend.wi.us/ City of West Bend]
• Sanborn fire insurance maps: [http://content.wisconsinhistory.org/cdm/ref/collection/maps/id/12495 1884] [http://content.wisconsinhistory.org/cdm/ref/collection/maps/id/12498 1892] [http://content.wisconsinhistory.org/cdm/ref/collection/maps/id/12503 1900] [http://content.wisconsinhistory.org/cdm/ref/collection/maps/id/12510 1910] [http://content.wisconsinhistory.org/cdm/ref/collection/maps/id/12521 1919]

{{Milwaukee Metropolitan Area}}

{{Washington County, Wisconsin}}

{{Wisconsin}}

{{Wisconsin county seats}}

{{authority control}}

Category:Cities in Wisconsin

Category:Cities in Washington County, Wisconsin

Category:County seats in Wisconsin