WASHINGTON COUNTY
County Offices
432 E. Washington Street
West Bend
262-335-4400
www.co.washington.wi.us
Chamber of Commerce
735 S. Main Street
West Bend
262-338-2666
www.wbchamber.org
Services
Nestled in the southeastern quarter of Wisconsin at the edge of the metropolis of Milwaukee, Washington County offers close proximity to highly developed urban amenities. Like many corners of this region, the county is home to highly successful manufacturers. Many have developed household-name products like West Bend appliances and Enger Kress fine leather goods. Residents also enjoy an enviable quality of life supported by efficient services on every level. The University of Wisconsin-Washington County and Moraine Park Technical College provide a wide variety of quality educational experiences for students of all ages. Abundant opportunities for higher education are available within a reasonable commute, including private institutions like Alverno College, Cardinal Strich College, Carroll College, Concordia College, Marquette University, and Mount Mary College. Specialized programs of study from technical and vocational to professional can be found at Columbia College of Nursing, the Medical College of Wisconsin, the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design, the Milwaukee School of Engineering, and a number of two-year technical colleges.
Internationally recognized medical and research institutions are easily accessible, and residents can choose from nearly 100 hospitals and clinics throughout Southeast Wisconsin. The Milwaukee Regional Medical Center boasts a ranking among the nation’s Top Ten, joining seven other prestigious member hospitals and institutions. Many of the medical centers have developed highly specialized and acclaimed programs and centers of excellence. St. Luke’s Hospital of Aurora Health Care excels in heart care, while the Sinai Samaritan’s Heart Institute continues pioneering work in the development of an artificial heart. Aurora Health Care also operates the Aurora Medical Center in Hartford, supported by a network of health centers and services based in surrounding communities. St. Luke’s is expanding on a new campus in the West Bend area, garnering national attention for innovative designs based on quality and safety. Synergy Health plays a vital role in providing healthcare services to this region, offering St. Joseph Community Hospital in West Bend as well as a surgery center, cancer care center, and numerous clinics.
Lifestyle
The gently rolling landscape of inland lakes, rivers, streams, and woodlands carved by ancient glaciers creates a scenic backdrop for Washington County’s family-oriented communities. Recreational activities abound in this varied terrain with vast acres preserved for outdoor enjoyment. The Ice Age Trail is especially popular for enjoying wild flowers and observing wildlife; while Kettle Moraine State Forest covers 28,000 acres in Washington, Fond du Lac, and Sheboygan counties. Activities include picnicking, camping, hiking, backpacking, biking, boating, water sports, snowmobiling, horseback riding, fishing, and hunting in season. Other highlights include self-guided nature trails, family camping, year-round fishing, overnight horse camping, and wildlife observation.
Support for the arts is strong in this area, anchored by the University of Wisconsin Center in West Bend. Diverse opportunities include classes in art, music, and theatre combine with first-rate performances by talented local and regional groups or guest artists. Fine museums, ethnic and holiday festivals, professional and summer stock theaters, the stunning Lake Michigan shoreline, and sweeping parkland combine to fill leisure hours with quality activities. The regional landmark of Holy Hill, the National Shrine of Mary, Help of Christians, draws residents and visitors to an observation tower for breathtaking views of the southern Kettle Moraine countryside and the Milwaukee skyline. The neo-Romanesque Church is filled with priceless stained-glass windows, magnificent mosaics, and 19th-century statuary.
Washington County has enough diversity to support a kaleidoscope of lifestyles in its vibrant cities, upscale enclaves, and peaceful countryside. Housing costs remain well below the national average, and the range of architectural styles and home-site environment seem virtually endless. Some of the possibilities include urban lofts, suburban subdivisions, country estates, historic districts, and cozy neighborhoods with modest bungalows on tree-shaded streets. Newcomers to Washington County will discover leading schools, well-rooted businesses, family farms, a rich cultural heritage, and a superb quality of life.
Addison, Allenton
Town Hall
262-629-5420
Chamber of Commerce
262-338-2666
www.wbchamber.org
Those who appreciate the earthy pleasures of country living and the intimacy of a small-town spirit will find a charming home in the Addison and Allenton area. Nestled between Milwaukee and Fond du Lac in the rolling hills of the Kettle Moraine forest, this community is easily accessible to the Horicon Marsh Wildlife Refuge, the Holy Hill historic and cultural site, and the popular Little Switzerland Ski Area in Slinger. Homespun delights strengthen the bonds between neighbors, from quilting bees and cultural appreciation groups to church and school activities or annual special events. Wonderful antique shops combine with historic architecture and a mix of older and newer homes for a warm hometown feeling.
Erin
Town Hall
262-673-3682
www.erintownship.com
Chamber of Commerce
262-338-2666
www.wbchamber.org
With the name of Erin, it comes as no surprise that this area was settled more than 150 years ago by Irish immigrants who later mingled with German and Norwegian families. Nestled in the far southwest corner of Washington County, Erin was somewhat isolated from growing communities like West Bend and Waukesha. The preservation of the area’s original rural flavor creates an appealing environment for residential development. Many of the architectural wonders from yesterday still grace the area, including grand old stonework and vintage barns. Suburban growth in the 1960s made an impact on the traditionally agricultural economy, spurred by improvements in transportation. Outstanding recreational amenities in Erin include water sports at Druid Lake, Erin Go Bragh Town Park, Huegel Ski Hill, and Lowe’s Lake State Forest.
Germantown
Village Hall
262-677-2177
www.village.germantown.wi.us
Chamber of Commerce
262-255-1812
www.germantownchamber.org
Offering a rural atmosphere in close proximity to Milwaukee, Germantown is distinguished as the largest village in the state by square miles. This unique community harmonizes country charm with urban advantages, weaving threads of German heritage into the tapestry of everyday life. Germantown is actually made up of seven historic hamlets that became incorporated into a modern village. Newcomers to this area will discover impressive residential and economic expansion. At the same time, residents and planners have taken care to control growth and development in a way that protects the community’s natural beauty, green space, and historic treasures. Delightful retail shops, wonderful restaurants, magnificent churches, lush parks, and abundant recreational opportunities add to the quality of life in Germantown.
Hartford
City Hall
262-673-8204
www.ci.hartford.wi.us
Chamber of Commerce
262-673-7002
www.hartfordchamber.org/
The bustling city of Hartford is proud of its unique ambiance the charm of its historic downtown district. Specialty shops, cozy cafes, wonderful restaurants, the intriguing Hartford Auto Museum, and the turn-of-the-century Chandelier Ballroom are just a few of the highlights. Located just a few minutes drive northwest from the edge of Milwaukee, Hartford preserves the rich flavor of country living while it provides first-rate amenities and conveniences. Exceptional sites for outdoor enjoyment include Pike Lake State Park and the Kettle Moraine Forest area. Closer to home, the city maintains lush, well-groomed parks and a wealth of recreational programs and sports facilities. The new recreation center is a point of pride, featuring a gymnasium, fitness rooms, state-of-the-art exercise equipment, meeting and classroom areas, a ceramics center, and a state-of-the-art aquatic center.
Jackson
Village Hall
262-677-9001
www.villageofjackson.com
Chamber of Commerce
262-338-2666
www.wbchamber.org
Recent years have seen rapid growth and development in Jackson Village, largely driven by the completion of the US Highway 45 project in 1988. This transportation improvement created a high-speed thoroughfare that allows 20 to 30-minute commutes into Milwaukee. From 1990 to 1994 the village more than doubled in population, and growth continues at a brisk rate. The addition of Old Church Square, Main Street, a business center, and several leading companies all reflected this wave of progress. Today, Jackson provides urban amenities yet retains the character of a small town surrounded by rural beauty. Little League games, movie nights in the park, and summer concerts are just a few of the activities that bring friends and neighbors together. Jackson is ideally located just 15 miles north of Milwaukee and six miles south of West Bend.
Kewaskum, Barton, Farmington
Kewaskum Village Hall
262-626-8484
www.village.kewaskum.wi.us/
Barton Town Hall
262-334-2765
Farmington Town Hall
262-692-2377
Chamber of Commerce
262-626-3336
www.kewaskum.org
The area that encompasses Kewaskum Village and the towns of Kawaskum, Barton, and Farmington is located 45 miles north of downtown Milwaukee and 20 miles from historic Fond du Lac. US Highway 45 adds commuting convenience for area residents. Rural in flavor and excelling in natural beauty, the village has developed a wide range of recreational activities and programs as well as lush parks with picnic areas, playgrounds, tennis courts, game areas, and opportunities for swimming, volleyball, fishing, basketball, sledding, and softball. The Ice Age Center invites visitors to explore the geological phenomena of the glaciers that shaped the area. Just beyond the front door, the Kettle Moraine forest is ideal for camping, skiing, golf, snowmobiling, hiking, riding stables, boating, and seasonal hunting. Excellent schools, a variety of local businesses and services, and active citizens who readily volunteer their time and talent add to the quality of life.
Newburg, Trenton
Newburg Village Hall
262-675-2160
www.village.newburg.wi.us
Trenton Town Hall
262-675-6009
www.townoftrenton.info/
Chamber of Commerce
262-338-2666
www.wbchamber.org
The Newburg and Trenton communities are easily accessible via Highway 33 west of Interstate 43 and just east of West Bend. Trenton and its largest hamlet of Newburg share a connection with the metropolis of Milwaukee. Solomon Juneau, who founded Milwaukee, was one of six speculators who purchased large tracts of land in this area for development. Today, this area provides the relaxed pace of country living and a small-town setting highlighted by historic sites like St. Augustine Church and Pleasant Hill School or the beauty of Sandy Knoll County Park. Expanded shopping, cultural attractions, fine museums, entertainment centers, and major employers are all accessible within a few minutes drive to West Bend or the city and suburbs of Milwaukee. Washington County’s abundant forests, parks, rivers, lakes, and rolling hills ensure virtually unlimited outdoor recreation.
Richfield, Colgate, Hubertus
Town Hall
262-628-2260
www.richfieldwi.gov/
Chamber of Commerce
262-673 -7002
www.hartfordchamber.org/
Encompassing smaller hamlets like Colgate and Hubertus, the town of Richfield is cradled in the panoramic foothills of the Kettle Moraine forest region just minutes from Metropolitan Milwaukee. Residents enjoy challenging golf courses, the beauty and recreation advantages of four lakes, and nearby forests for unlimited outdoor adventures. Wonderful local parks offer soccer fields, baseball parks, walking trails, playgrounds, and picnic areas, adding to the family-friendly atmosphere. Hubertus is best known as the location of the famous Holy Hill historic site and observation tower. As the Richfield area continues to grow, planners are committed to continue the fine balance of residential and commercial development with picturesque farmland. Many small businesses and manufacturing companies have relocated to Richfield, drawn by the quality of life and affordable operational costs.
Slinger, Polk
Slinger Village Hall
262-644-5265
www.co.washington.wi.us
Polk Town Hall
262-677-2123
Chamber of Commerce
262-673 -7002
www.hartfordchamber.org/
The name of Slinger seems less unusual considering that the village was originally called Schleisingerville. Today, this well-balanced community provides commercial conveniences to it own residents and those who live in the town of Polk. Peaceful and scenic, this area welcomes newcomers to friendly neighborhoods or lovely country homes. Recreational amenities developed by the village include neighborhood parks and opportunities for swimming, sports play, ice skating, and holiday special events. One of the highlights in this recreationally rich region is the Little Switzerland Ski Area with multiple chair lifts, 15 slopes, night skiing, and a full array of services. Aurora Health Center in Slinger meets most routine medical and healthcare needs close to home. Shopping centers, condominiums, and new subdivisions are spring up to keep pace with a growing population.
West Bend
City Hall
262-335-5100
http://www.ci.west-bend.wi.us
Town Hall
262-338-3417
http://www.townofwestbend.com
Chamber of Commerce
262-338-2666
www.wbchamber.org
The town and city of West Bend are nestled in the heart of the Kettle Moraine forest region, providing a scenic and convenient home to a growing population. The city serves as the county seat and a hub of culture, healthcare, education, and employment for the surrounding countryside. Less than an hour’s drive north of Milwaukee, this area is close to sparkling lakes and breathtaking natural beauty that creates a paradise for outdoor sports and relaxation. Home to campuses for the University of Wisconsin and Moraine Park Technical College, the city is also home to St. Joseph’s Hospital with its respected cancer care center and the new Life Center. Many thriving businesses create a favorable tax base, including manufacturers of name-brand products like West Bend appliances. Other highlights include the West Bend Art Museum, the Washington County Historical Museum, cultural attractions at the University of Wisconsin, and more than 825 acres of parks filled with first-rate equipment and amenities.
Wayne
Town Hall
262-626-4818
www.townofwayne.org/
Chamber of Commerce
920-979-0080
www.townofwayne.org/
Located in close proximity to the village of Campbellsport with its convenient commercial amenities, the rural town of Wayne offers a small-town atmosphere. Housing options in this area are diverse, ranging from older properties shaded by mature greenery to country manors, horse properties, and new subdivisions. Recreational opportunities in this region are outstanding, crowned by the beautiful Kettle Moraine State Forest. Activities such as hiking, biking, camping, fishing, horseback riding, golfing, exploring historic sites, skating in a new indoor park, and swimming at Mauthe Lake and Long Lake beaches are all popular. Those who appreciate the close-knit spirit and tranquility of rural America will find a welcome home in Wayne, where the cultural and entertainment advantages of major metropolitan centers remain easily accessible.
