West Bend, Wisconsin

City and county seat of Washington County, Wisconsin

This article is about the city. For the adjacent town, see West Bend (town), Wisconsin.

City in Wisconsin, United States

West Bend, Wisconsin

City

Aerial view of downtown

Seal

Location of West Bend in Washington County, Wisconsin.

West Bend

Location in Wisconsin

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West Bend

West Bend (the United States)

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Coordinates: 43°25′30″N 88°11′00″W﻿ / ﻿43.42500°N 88.18333°W﻿ / 43.42500; -88.18333
Country|  United States
State|  Wisconsin
County| Washington
Settled| 1845
Incorporated| 1885
Government

• Mayor| Joel Ongert
• Administrator| Jay Shambeau
• Clerk| Jilline Dobratz
• City council|

Aldermen

* John Butschlick
* Mark Allen
* Brett Bergquist
* Matt Sternig
* Jed Dolnick
* John Spartz
* Justice Madl
* Aaron Zingsheim

Area

[1]

• Total| 15.30 sq mi (39.62 km2)
• Land| 15.14 sq mi (39.22 km2)
• Water| 0.16 sq mi (0.40 km2)
Elevation

| 932 ft (284 m)
Population

(2020)[2]

• Total| 31,752
• Density| 2,133.7/sq mi (805.46/km2)
Time zone| UTC−6 (Central (CST))
• Summer (DST)| UTC−5 (CDT)
ZIP Codes|

53090, 53095

Area code| 262
FIPS code| 55-85350
Website| www.ci.west-bend.wi.us

West Bend is a city in and the county seat of Washington County, Wisconsin, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population was 31,752.[4]

## History[edit]

### Early history and settlement[edit]

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.[5] 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.[6] 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.[7]

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.[8] 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.[9][10] 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.[11] 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.[12] Eventually the Potawatomi who evaded forced removal gathered in northern Wisconsin, where they formed the Forest County Potawatomi Community.[11]

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.[13] 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.[14]

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.[15] Despite its early growth, however, Barton would be overshadowed by West Bend in the coming decades.

### 19th century politics and growth[edit]

The old Washington County Courthouse and Jail 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.[16]

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.[17] 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.[18][19]

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.[20]

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.[21] 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.[22]

A 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.[13][23]

### Industrialization and post-war growth[edit]

Amity Leather Products manufactured leather billfolds in West Bend between 1915 and 1996. The company constructed an Art Deco 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;[24] 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.[25] 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.[13]

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.[15]

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.[13][26]

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.[13]

The West Bend tornado on April 4, 1981, struck the city, killing three people and injuring over 100 more.[27] There is a monument at a park near Green Tree Elementary School.[28]

#### Library controversy[edit]

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.[29][30] A petition[31] 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.[32] 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.”[33] The council's actions were widely criticized, and local citizens unsuccessfully sought to have the vote rescinded.[34][35][36] After a public hearing on the petition in June 2009,[37] the library board voted to reject any restrictions on young adults' access to books in the library.[38][39]

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."[40][41][42][43]

### Historic sites[edit]

The Washington County Historical Society operates four distinct museums located in West Bend.[44] 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.[45] The theater was closed and listed for sale in January 2012, with a purchase occurring in May 2012.[46] The movie theatre has since reopened and hosts many plays and movies. It is now being advertised as "The Bend."

## Geography[edit]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 14.72 square miles (38.12 km2), of which, 14.57 square miles (37.74 km2) is land and 0.15 square miles (0.39 km2) is water.[47]

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.

### Climate[edit]

The average temperature in West Bend ranges from a high of 81 °F (27 °C) (July) to a low average temperature of 11 °F (−12 °C) (January). Record high and low temperatures are 107 °F (42 °C) and −30 °F (−34 °C), respectively.[48] The average annual rainfall is 31.4 in (800 mm). The average annual snow measures 45.6 in (1,160 mm).[49]

## Demographics[edit]

Historical population Census| Pop.| Note| %±

|
|
|

1870| 1,058| | —
1880| 1,273| | 20.3%
1890| 1,296| | 1.8%
1900| 2,119| | 63.5%
1910| 2,462| | 16.2%
1920| 3,378| | 37.2%
1930| 4,760| | 40.9%
1940| 5,452| | 14.5%
1950| 6,849| | 25.6%
1960| 9,969| | 45.6%
1970| 16,555| | 66.1%
1980| 21,484| | 29.8%
1990| 23,916| | 11.3%
2000| 28,152| | 17.7%
2010| 31,078| | 10.4%
2019 (est.)| 31,563| [3]| 1.6%
U.S. Decennial Census[50]

As of the census[2] of 2020, there were 31,630 people, 12,769 households, and 8,250 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,133.0 inhabitants per square mile (823.6/km2). There were 13,546 housing units at an average density of 929.7 per square mile (359.0/km2). 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.

## Economy[edit]

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[51] and West Bend Savings Bank (now Westbury Bank) in 1926.[52] The West Bend Aluminum Company (later the West Bend Company) was founded in 1911 by Bernhard C. Ziegler,[53] and remained in West Bend until 2003.[citation needed] Ziegler had previously founded the securities brokerage company B.C. Ziegler & Co. in 1902.[54] 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.[55] 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.[56] The Gehl Company is also located in West Bend.[57]

### Military[edit]

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

## Recreation and tourism[edit]

A paved riverwalk snakes through the city along the banks of the Milwaukee River. The Eisenbahn State Trail,[58] 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.[8]

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.[59] 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.[8]

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.[60][61] It was listed as a favorite farmers' market in Vogue magazine.[62]

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.[60]

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.[63] 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.[64]

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).[65] The event accepts donations to support local food pantries.[66] 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.[67]

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.[68] The facility was built in 1999 and has a 24,000 sq. ft. pavilion, Agricultural and Equestrian Complexes and theater entertainment areas.[69]

## Government[edit]

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.[70]

List Of Mayors[71] Mayor  | Term in Office

|

1  |  | John Potter Jr
| 1885

1886
2  |  | Henry Lemke
| 1886

1887
3  |  | Barnabas S Potter
| 1887

1887
4  |  | Patrick O'Meara
| 1887

1888
5  |  | Charles H. Miller
| 1888

1894
6  |  | Patrick O'Meara
| 1894

1896
7  |  | Joseph Ott
| 1896

1899
8  |  | Ernst Frankenberg
| 1899

1901
9  |  | Joseph Ott
| 1901

1906
10  |  | Albert E. Gray
| 1906

1908
11  |  | Andrew Pick

\--Deceased--

| 1908

August 1, 1910
12  |  | William G Bratz
| August 1, 1910

1916
13  |  | Joseph Huber
| 1916

1920
14  |  | Frank Schoenbeck
| 1920

1926
15  |  | Henry O. Regner
| 1926

1930
16  |  | Joseph M. Knippel
| 1930

1940
17  |  | Clyde J. Schloemer
| 1940

1948
18  |  | Micheal Gehl
| 1948

April 6th 1954
19  |  | Walter Schmidt
| April 6th 1954

April 7th 1960
20  |  | Paul Henke
| April 7th 1960

April 3rd 1966
21  |  | Ralph Schoenhaar
| April 3rd 1966

1978
22  |  | John Pick
| 1978

1981
23  |  | Donald Gonring
| 1981

1987
24  |  | Micheal R. Miller
| 1987

2005
25  |  | Doug Bade

\--Resigned--

| 2005

June 10, 2007
26  |  | Kristine Deiss
| June 10, 2007

April 20th, 2011
27  |  | Kraig Sadownikow

\--Resigned--

| April 20, 2011

November 4th, 2019
28  |  | Steve Hoogester

Interim Mayor

| November 4, 2019

April 21st, 2020
29  |  | Christophe E. Jenkins
| April 21, 2020

April 18th 2023
30  |  | Joel Ongert
| April 18, 2023

Incumbent

### List of Alderman[72][edit]

District 1 Alderman

Name | Tenure
Doug Bade --resigned--  | ? - 2005
Kristine M. Deiss --resigned--  | 2005 - 2007
Vacant  | 2007 - 2008
Tony Turner  | 2008 - 2014
John Butschlick  | 2014 -
District 2 Alderman

Name | Tenure
Thomas F. O'Meara III  | ? - 2005
Dave Krochalk  | 2005 - 2009
Steve Hutchins --resigned--  | 2009 - 2018
Micheal A. Christian  | 2018 - 2019
Mark Allen  | 2019 -
District 3 Alderman

Name | Tenure
King J. Riffel  | ? - 2008
Richard W. Lindbeck  | 2008 - 2010
Ed Duquaine  | 2010 - 2016
Mike Chevalier  | 2016 - 2018
Andrew Chevalier  | 2018 - 2020
Brett A. Bergquist  | 2020 -
District 4 Alderman

Name | Tenure
Glenn G. Goodearle  | ? - 2007
Nick Dobberstein  | 2007 - 2011
Randy Koehler  | 2011 - 2017
Christophe E. Jenkins --resigned--  | 2017 - 2020
Vacant  | 2020 - 2021
Randy Koehler  | 2021 - 2023
Matt Sternig  | 2023 -
District 5 Alderman

Name | Tenure
Allen Carter  | ? - 2014
Rich Kasten  | 2014 - 2020
Jed Dolnick  | 2020 - 2024
District 6 Alderman

Name | Tenure
Micheal Schlotfeldt  | ? - 2013
Steve E. Hoogester --resigned--  | 2013 - 2019
Vacant  | 2019 - 2020
Steve E. Hoogester --deceased--  | 2020 - 2020
Vacant  | 2020 - 2021
Tracy Ahrens  | 2021 - 2023
John Spartz  | 2023 -
District 7 Alderman

Name | Tenure
Terry Vrana  | ? - 2010
Deb Anderson  | 2010 - 2012
Adam D. Williquette  | 2012 - 2018
Justice Madl  | 2018 -
District 8 Alderman

Name | Tenure
Scott Frederick  | ? - 2009
Roger Kist --resigned--  | 2009 - 2020
Meghann Kennedy --resigned--  | 2020 - 2022
Aaron Zingshiem  | 2022 -

### Mayoral Election Results[edit]

1896 [73] Candidates | Votes | Percentage

|
|

Joseph Ott | 415 | 100%
1899 [74] Candidates | Votes | Percentage

|
|

Henry Koepke  | 206 | 43.36%
Ernst Frankenberg | 269 | 56.63%
1901 [75] Candidates | Votes | Percentage

|
|

Joseph Ott | 349 | 100%
1908 [76] Candidates | Votes | Percentage

|
|

Andrew Pick | 287 | 58.45%
Albert E. Gray (incumbent)  | 204 | 41.54%

Albert E. Gray was the incumbent mayor running for another term. Andrew Pick had served in the staff for the city. Andrew Pick was also a partner in the Pick Brothers Company which was very prominent in the city at the time.

1912 [77] Candidates | Votes | Percentage

|
|

William G. Bratz (incumbent) | 298 | 57.75%
Peter Lochen  | 218 | 42.24%

William Bratz was running for another term after he was appointed as interim mayor to finish off Andrew Pick's term when Pick died. Bratz was the council president, and had been on the common council since 1894. Peter Lochen was a alderman on the common council.

1914 [78] Candidates | Votes | Percentage

|
|

Willim G. Bratz (incumbent) | 215 |  36.81%
Lorenz Guth  | 175 | 29.96%
Bernhard Carl Ziegler  | 194 | 33.21%

William G. Bratz was the incumbent mayor running for another term. Lorenz Guth was an active citizen in the community. B.C Zielger was the founder and CEO of the West Bend Company.

1916 [79] Candidates | Votes | Percentage

|
|

Joseph Huber | 586 | 100%

Joseph Huber ran unopposed for mayor since previous mayor William G. Bratz chose not to run.

1918 [80] Candidates | Votes | Percentage

|
|

Joseph Huber (incumbent) | 531 | 80.45%
Robert H. Rolfs  | 129 | 19.54%

Joseph Huber was the incumbent mayor running for another term. Robert H. Rolfs was the founder of Amity Co.

1920 [81] Candidates | Votes | Percentage

|
|

Frank Schoenbeck | 572 | 100%

Frank Schoenbeck was an alderman on the Common Council. The previous mayor, Joseph F. Huber chose not to run.

1926 [82] Candidates | Votes | Percentage

|
|

Henry O. Regner | 675 | 58.49%
Frank Schoenbeck (incumbent)  | 479 | 41.50%

Frank Schoenbeck was the incumbent mayor running for another term. Henry O. Regner was a district agent for the Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company in West Bend. Regner was also a member of the Knights Of Columbus as well as being the president of the West Bend Commercial Club. Regner notably has a park named after him in West Bend.

1930 [83] Candidates | Votes | Percentage

|
|

Joseph M. Knippel | 855 | 67.64%
George J. Obermeyer Sr  | 409 | 32.35%

Joseph M. Knippel previously served as alderman for the second ward (now part of District 1). George J. Obermeyer had been active in politics. He ran for first ward (now part of District 1) alderman on numerous occasions. Neither of the candidates had an official campaign, rather they relied on their friends and family to spread the word.

1940 [84] Candidates | Votes | Percentage

|
|

Joseph M. Knippel (incumbent)  | 949 | 43.37%
Clyde J. Schloemer | 1,234 | 56.62%

Joseph M. Knippel was the incumbent mayor running for another term. Clyde J. Schloemer was a prominent attorney and founder of Schloemer Law Firm. Schloemer was also an avid preacher on political and religious subjects.

1954 [85] Candidates | Votes | Percentage

|
|

Walter Schmidt | 1,462 | 54.63%
Bascom  | 1,214 | 45.37%

Walter Schmidt had been the alderman of the sixth ward (now part of District 3), which he resigned from to pursue the mayoral office. Schmidt was also the president of the Common Council. Bascom was an alderman on the Common Council as well as being an incredibly active citizen in the community. The incumbent mayor Micheal Gehl chose not to run.

1960 [86] Candidates | Votes | Percentage

|
|

Walter Schmidt (incumbent)  | 1,396 | 39.14%
Paul Henke | 2,170 | 60.85%

Walter Schmidt was the incumbent mayor running for another term. Paul Henke was an alderman for the fourth ward (now part of District 2) since 1957, and resigned early to pursue the mayoral office after he was "drafted" to run.

1966 [87] Candidates | Votes | Percentage

|
|

Ralph Schoenhaar | 1,766 | 50.86%
Paul Henke (incumbent)  | 1,706 | 49.13%

Ralph Schoenhaar was the previous Alderman for the sixth ward (now part of District 2). Paul Henke was the incumbent mayor running for another term.

2005[88] Candidates | Votes | Percentage

|
|

Doug Bade | 2144 | 55.43%
Thomas F. O'Meara III  | 1692 | 43.74%
Write-in Votes | 32 | 0.83%

Both Doug Bade and Thomas F. O'Meara III served as Alderman on the Common Council under Mayor Micheal R. Miller. Thomas F. O'Meara III is the great-grandson of 4th and 6th mayor Patrick O'Meara, as well as 11th Mayor, Andrew Pick.[89]

2008[90] Candidates | Votes | Percentage

|
|

Kristine Deiss (incumbent) | 2672 | 59.09%
Micheal A. Christian  | 1837 | 40.62%
Write-in Votes | 13 | 0.29%

Kristine Deiss served on the Common Council for two years before she was appointed as mayor in June 2007 to finish off Doug Bade's term. Micheal A. Christian was an active citizen in the community, and would go on to serve as District 2 Alderman in 2018 for one year before losing reelection in 2019 to Mark Allen.[91]

2011[92] Candidates | Votes | Percentage

|
|

Kristine Deiss (incumbent)  | 2542 | 32.04%
Kraig Sadownikow | 5366 | 67.63%
Write-in Votes | 26 | 0.33%

Incumbent Kristine Deiss running for her second term as mayor. Kraig Sadownikow, CEO of American Companies.

2014[93] Candidates | Votes | Percentage

|
|

Kraig Sadownikow (incumbent) | 1835 | 63.96%
Roger Kist  | 1026 | 35.76%
Write-in Votes | 8 | 0.28%

Kraig Sadownikow was the incumbent mayor running for a second term. Roger Kist was District 8 Alderman from 2009 to 2020. He was also the chairman of the local Washington County Republican Party.[94]

2017[95] Candidates | Votes | Percentage

|
|

Kraig Sadownikow (incumbent) | 2284 | 96.82%
Write-in Votes | 75 | 3.18%

Kraig Sadownikow ran unopposed in 2017 for his third term as mayor.

2020[96] Candidates | Votes | Percentage

|
|

Rich Kasten  | 3993 | 47.77%
Christophe E. Jenkins | 4295 | 51.38%
Write-in Votes | 71 | 0.85%

Rick Kasten was the former District 5 Alderman serving from 2014 to 2020. Christophe E. Jenkins was the former District 4 Alderman from 2015 to 2020.

2023[97] Candidates | Votes | Percentage

|
|

Joel Ongert | 5594 | 57.17%
Denis Kelling  | 4156 | 42.47%
Write-in Votes | 35 | 0.36%

Joel Ongert was a member of the West Bend School Board from 2017 to 2020, serving as president of the school board from 2018 to 2019. He served on the West Bend Public School Foundation from 2019 to 2023. Denis Kelling had been on the Washington County Board since 2016, and was the first vice chairman for the County Board.[98] Kelling was endorsed by the mayor at the time Christophe E. Jenkins.[99]

### 2019 Resignation Situation[edit]

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.[100] 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.[101]

### 2007 Resignation Situation[edit]

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 3 of the Aldermen walked out. Eventually, on June 10 the vote was held successfully.[102] Kristine Deiss was able to win reelection after she finished off Bade's term.[90]

## Education[edit]

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]

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 University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee at Washington County (UWM-WC) and 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,[103] of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod, Trinity Lutheran School,[104] of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod, and St. John's Lutheran School,[105] of the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod.

Roman Catholic schools include St. Frances Cabrini School[106] and Holy Angels School.[107]

## Media[edit]

West Bend has a country music station, WMBZ (92.5 FM) and a classic hits station, WIBD (1470 AM). The official newspaper of the City of West Bend is the West Bend Daily News.[108]

The West Bend Booster is an independent, family-owned newspaper covering the area and has an office in West Bend.[109] In 2020, due to COVID-19, The Booster's parent company, Booster Publications, announced that they would permanently close.[110]

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 online.

## Transportation[edit]

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.[111]

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.[8]

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

## Notable people[edit]

This section needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources in this section. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.
Find sources: "West Bend, Wisconsin" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (February 2021) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)

|

* 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
* Patricia Strachota, Wisconsin state representative
* Frank Weddig, Colorado State Legislator
* Viola S. Wendt, poet
* Morgan White (born 1983), gymnast
* Jordan Stolz, World Champion speed skater

## Sister cities[edit]

* Aisho, Shiga, Japan[112]
* Heppenheim, Hesse, Germany[112]
* Pazardzhik, Bulgaria[112]

## References[edit]

1. ^ "2018 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 15, 2020.
2. ^ a b "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 18, 2012.
3. ^ a b "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved May 21, 2020.
4. ^ "West Bend (city), Wisconsin". United States Census Bureau. quickfacts.census.gov. Archived from the original on December 3, 2012. Retrieved November 13, 2012.
5. ^ "Lizard Mound County Park (Hagner Group)". wisconsinmounds.com (archive of images of placards in the park). Retrieved January 12, 2020.
6. ^ Quickert 1912, pp. 13–15.
7. ^ Anderson, Donald N. (March 25, 1970). "Lizard Mound State Park". NRHP Inventory-Nomination Form. National Park Service. Retrieved December 18, 2016.
8. ^ a b c d "Community". West Bend Area Chamber. Retrieved August 20, 2014.
9. ^ Quickert 1912, pp. 17.
10. ^ Gerwing, Anselm J. (Summer 1964). "The Chicago Indian Treaty of 1833". Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society. 57 (2): 117–142. ISSN 0019-2287. JSTOR 40190019.
11. ^ a b "Potawatomi History". Milwaukee Public Museum. Retrieved February 20, 2020.
12. ^ Quickert 1912, pp. 18.
13. ^ a b c d e "Encyclopedia of Milwaukee: West Bend". University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
14. ^ Quickert 1912, pp. 47.
15. ^ a b "Encyclopedia of Milwaukee: Town of Barton". University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
16. ^ Quickert 1912, pp. 37.
17. ^ Quickert 1912, pp. 51–52.
18. ^ "Encyclopedia of Milwaukee: Ozaukee County". University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
19. ^ Quickert 1912, pp. 52.
20. ^ "Free Family Records for Researching Ancestry in Washington County, Wisconsin". genealogytrails.com. Retrieved April 25, 2021.
21. ^ "Civil War: Draft Riots (1862)". Wisconsin Historical Society. August 3, 2012. Retrieved August 21, 2020.
22. ^ Quickert 1912, pp. 120–121.
23. ^ "Welcome to the City of West Bend, WI". www.ci.west-bend.wi.us.
24. ^ "Enger-Kress Pocketbook Co. was founded by German immigrants". Conley Media. August 31, 2017. Retrieved August 21, 2020.
25. ^ "West Bend, Wisconsin - A Brief History". Wisconsin Historical Society. July 27, 2012. Retrieved August 21, 2020.
26. ^ Cowley, Betty (January 1, 2002). Stalag Wisconsin: Inside WW II Prisoner-of-war Camps. Badger Books Inc. pp. 120–125, 227–231. ISBN 9781878569837.
27. ^ "6 Are Killed and 100 Hurt in Tornado in Wisconsin". New York Times. April 5, 1981. Retrieved August 25, 2014.
28. ^ "unknown". ams.allenpress.com. `{{cite web}}`: Cite uses generic title (help)[dead link]
29. ^ Maziarkas' February 2009 Letters to West Bend Library
30. ^ "Handout, West Bend Community Library" (PDF).
31. ^ "Petition to West Bend Library Board".
32. ^ Four Tossed Off Library Board, West Bend Daily News, April 22, 2009
33. ^ Zimmer, Michael. "Update on West Bend Library Controversy: Board Members Removed, ALA and Free Speech Groups Object". University of Wisconsin Milwaukee. UWM Digital Commons. Retrieved August 20, 2014.
34. ^ Dismissal of Wisconsin Board Members Draws National CensureAmerican Libraries May 4, 2009
35. ^ Vote on Library Board Stands West Bend Daily News May 19, 2009
36. ^ West Bend City Council Fails to Reinstate Library Board Members, School Library Journal, May 20, 2009
37. ^ Library board rejects restrictions, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, June 2, 2009.
38. ^ "Library board rejects restrictions". archive.jsonline.com.
39. ^ Library Board Will Stay the Course West Bend Daily News June 3, 2009
40. ^ "Books Challenged or Banned in 2009-2010". www.ila.org. Illinois Library Association. Retrieved August 25, 2014.
41. ^ Library fight riles up city, leads to book-burning demand, CNN.com, July 22, 2009
42. ^ Library Book Riles Small Wisconsin Town, ABCNews.com, June 19, 2009
43. ^ A teen book burns at the stake, Salon.com, June 16, 2009
44. ^ "Hours & Fees". Washington County Historical Society. Retrieved August 20, 2014.
45. ^ "West Bend Cinema Brewhaus". Cinema Treasures. Retrieved August 20, 2014.
46. ^ "Property Detail". coldwellbankeronline.com. Retrieved August 20, 2014.
47. ^ "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 18, 2012.
48. ^ "Average Weather for West Bend". The Weather Channel. Retrieved July 18, 2014.
49. ^ "Climate in West Bend, WI". Sperling's Best Places. Retrieved July 18, 2014.
50. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
51. ^ "West Bend Mutual Insurance Co. website". Archived from the original on March 15, 2010. Retrieved January 19, 2010.
52. ^ "Manta.com on West Bend Savings Bank".
53. ^ "Bernhard "Ben" C. Ziegler". The Historical Marker Database. December 30, 2019. Retrieved January 18, 2022. "Ben Ziegler also founded the West Bend Company"
54. ^ "The Ziegler Companies, Inc History". Funding Universe. Retrieved January 18, 2022. "18-year-old Bernhard C. "Ben" Ziegler takes over an insurance business in West Bend, Wisconsin."
55. ^ "From Billfold Empire to Affordable Palace: Amity Leather Products Factory, West Bend, Wisconsin".
56. ^ "Serigraph History".
57. ^ "GEHL Compact Equipment for Construction and Agriculture - Home". www.gehl.com.
58. ^ "Welcome to the City of West Bend, WI". www.ci.west-bend.wi.us.
59. ^ "Welcome to the City of West Bend, WI" (PDF). www.ci.west-bend.wi.us.
60. ^ a b "Events". Downtown West Bend. Retrieved August 20, 2014.
61. ^ Bernier, Brian (August 9, 2014). "In search of 'real food' at local markets". Herald Times. Retrieved August 21, 2014.
62. ^ Frank, Alex (August 1, 2014). "Vogue Staffers Pick Their Favorite Farmers' Markets". Vogue. Retrieved August 20, 2014.
63. ^ German, Peter. "The Inaugural Riverfest 2014 was a success!". Rotary Club of West Bend. Retrieved August 20, 2014.
64. ^ "West Bend $1000 Cache Ba$h 2014". www.geocaching.com. Retrieved August 20, 2014.
65. ^ Flanigan, Kathy (November 7, 2011). "Hit the lights for Enchantment Park this month". Journal Sentinel. Retrieved August 20, 2014.
66. ^ "West Bend's "Enchantment in the Park" provides holiday entertainment and support for local food pantries". Scene. December 1, 2013. Retrieved August 20, 2014.
67. ^ Schumacher, Mary (July 22, 2014). "Museum of Wisconsin Art creates international residency in Luxembourg". Journal Sentinel. Retrieved August 21, 2014.
68. ^ Foran, Chris (July 22, 2014). "ZZ Top cancels Washington County Fair show". Journal Sentinel. Retrieved August 21, 2014.
69. ^ "Washington County Fair Park". events.jsonline.com. Archived from the original on August 26, 2014. Retrieved March 13, 2023.
70. ^ "West Bend Municipal Code Section 2" (PDF). Retrieved July 18, 2014.
71. ^ "City of West Bend - Mayors Past and Present" (PDF). Revize.
72. ^ https://www.washcowisco.gov/departments/county_clerk/election
73. ^ West Bend Democrat, April 8th 1896
74. ^ West Bend Democrat, April 5th 1899
75. ^ West Bend Democrat, April 3rd 1901
76. ^ West Bend Pilot, April 8th 1908
77. ^ West Bend Pilot, April 3rd 1912
78. ^ West Bend Pilot, April 8th 1914
79. ^ West Bend Pilot, April 7th 1916
80. ^ West Bend Pilot, April 4 1918
81. ^ West Bend News, April 8th 1920
82. ^ West Bend News, April 8th 1926
83. ^ West Bend News, April 3rd 1930
84. ^ West Bend News, April 4th 1940
85. ^ West Bend News, April 6th 1954
86. ^ West Bend News, April 7th 1960
87. ^ West Bend News, April 3rd 1966
88. ^ "Download". www.washcowisco.gov. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
89. ^ "2020 Comprehensive Planv4 Final - Full Document" (PDF). cms9files.revize.com. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
90. ^ a b "Download". www.washcowisco.gov. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
91. ^ "County Clerk Election Results" (PDF). cdnsm5-hosted.civiclive.com. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
92. ^ "Download". www.washcowisco.gov. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
93. ^ "Download". washcowisco.gov. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
94. ^ "Memorial Mass today, January 29, for Roger Kist - Washington County Insider". January 29, 2021.
95. ^ "Download". www.washcowisco.gov. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
96. ^ "Download". www.washcowisco.gov. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
97. ^ "Election Summary Report" (PDF). cdnsm5-hosted.civiclive.com.
98. ^ "West Bend mayor's race between two newcomers". March 15, 2023.
99. ^ "Jenkins endorses Kelling for mayor". March 21, 2023.
100. ^ "BREAKING NEWS | West Bend Mayor Kraig Sadownikow has resigned - Washington County Insider". October 21, 2019.
101. ^ "Challenging process of picking an interim mayor in West Bend - Washington County Insider". October 31, 2019.
102. ^ "3 West Bend aldermen block mayoral appointment". June 5, 2007.
103. ^ "Good Shepherd Lutheran School".
104. ^ "Welcome from the Principal – Trinity ELS School".
105. ^ "St Johns West Bend – School". stjohnswestbend.org. Retrieved April 25, 2021.
106. ^ "Saint Frances Cabrini School - West Bend, WI". school.saintfrancescabrini.com. Retrieved April 25, 2021.
107. ^ "Holy Angels Catholic Church - Home". hawb.org. Retrieved April 25, 2021.
108. ^ "Organizational Meeting Minutes April 15, 2014". Retrieved August 21, 2014.
109. ^ "Contact Us". The Booster. Archived from the original on October 17, 2014. Retrieved August 21, 2014.
110. ^ "Booster Publications permanently closes". Greater Milwaukee Today. April 16, 2020. Retrieved January 18, 2022.
111. ^ "Airport Master Record". AirportIQ. Retrieved August 20, 2014.
112. ^ a b c "Sister Cities". City of West Bend. Retrieved January 18, 2022.

## Sources[edit]

* Quickert, Carl (1912). Washington County, Wisconsin: Past and Present. Chicago, IL: S. J. Clarke Publishing Company.

## External links[edit]

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