Editing West Branch, Michigan

{{For|other places in Michigan named West Branch|West Branch Township, Michigan (disambiguation){{!}}West Branch Township, Michigan}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name            = West Branch
| official_name   = City of West Branch
| settlement_type = [[City]]
| nickname        = 
| motto           = "Up North. Down Home."

<!-- Images -->
| image_skyline   = West Branch, Michigan (August 2021)2.jpg
|imagesize        = 275
| image_caption   = Downtown West Branch along [[M-55 (Michigan highway)|Houghton Avenue]]
| image_flag      = 
| image_seal      =

<!-- Maps -->
|pushpin_map            = Michigan#USA
|pushpin_label_position = left<!-- the position of the pushpin label: left, right, top, bottom, none -->
|pushpin_label          = West Branch
|pushpin_map_caption    = Location within the state of Michigan##Location within the United States
|pushpin_mapsize        = 
|image_map                = West Branch (Ogemaw), MI location.png
|mapsize                  = 250
|map_caption              = Location within [[Ogemaw County, Michigan|Ogemaw County]]

<!-- Location -->
| subdivision_type  = Country
| subdivision_name  = United States
| subdivision_type1 = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Michigan]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[List of counties in Michigan|County]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Ogemaw County, Michigan|Ogemaw]]

<!-- Government -->
| government_footnotes = 
| government_type      = [[Mayor–council government|Mayor–council]]
| leader_title         = [[Mayor]]
| leader_name          = Paul Frechette
| leader_title1        = [[City manager|Manager]]
| leader_name1         = John Dantzer
| established_title    = Incorporated
| established_date     = 1885 (village)<br>1905 (city)

<!-- Area -->
| unit_pref        = Imperial
| area_footnotes   = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{cite web|title=2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_26.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=May 21, 2022}}</ref>
| area_magnitude   = 
| area_total_km2 = 3.99
| area_land_km2 = 3.99
| area_water_km2 = 0.00
| area_total_sq_mi = 1.54
| area_land_sq_mi  = 1.54
| area_water_sq_mi = 0.00

<!-- Population -->
| population_as_of       = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_est         = 
| pop_est_as_of          = 
| population_footnotes   = 
| population_total       = 2351
| population_density_km2 = 589.92
| pop_est_footnotes = 
| population_density_sq_mi = 1527.62

<!-- General information -->
| timezone            = [[North American Eastern Time Zone|Eastern (EST)]]
| utc_offset          = -5
| timezone_DST        = EDT
| utc_offset_DST      = -4
| elevation_footnotes = 
| elevation_ft        = 955
| coordinates      = {{coord|44|16|32|N|84|14|07|W|region:US-MI_type:city_source:GNIS|display=inline,title}}
| postal_code_type = [[ZIP Code|ZIP code(s)]]
| postal_code      = 48661
| area_code        = [[Area code 989|989]]
| blank_name       = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info       = 26-85580<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2008-01-31|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref>
| blank1_name      = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info      = 1627248<ref name="gnis"/>
| website          = {{URL|http://www.westbranch.com/|Official website}}
| footnotes        = 
}}
[[File:West Branch, Michigan (August 2021).jpg|thumb|right|250px|Looking east along [[M-55 (Michigan highway)|Houghton Avenue]]]]
'''West Branch''' is a [[city]] in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Michigan]]. It is the [[county seat]] and largest incorporated settlement of [[Ogemaw County, Michigan|Ogemaw County]].<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx|access-date=2011-06-07|title=Find a County|publisher=National Association of Counties}}</ref> The city had a population of 2,351 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], an increase from 2,139 at the [[2010 United States census|2010 census]]. West Branch is mostly surrounded by [[West Branch Township, Ogemaw County, Michigan|West Branch Township]], but the two are administered autonomously.

== History ==
In 1875, a northerly extension of the [[Michigan Central Railroad]] was completed through present-day West Branch.<ref>{{Cite web |title=michiganrailroads.com - Evolution Map - Lower - 1873 |url=https://www.michiganrailroads.com/evolution-of-michigan-railroads/507-evolution-lower-peninsula/176-evolution-1870s/4366-evolution-map-lower-1873 |access-date=2024-01-29 |website=www.michiganrailroads.com}}</ref> The community, which originated as a station on the railroad, was named for its location near the west branch of the [[Rifle River]], which flows southeasterly to [[Saginaw Bay]], a bay of [[Lake Huron]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Romig |first=Walter |title=Michigan Place Names: The History of the Founding and the Naming of More Than Five Thousand Past and Present Michigan Communities |publisher=[[Wayne State University Press]] |year=1986 |isbn=0-8143-1838-X |location=[[Detroit]] |pages=591}}</ref>

Ogemaw County was organized by an act of [[Michigan Legislature|state legislature]] in 1873, with both West Branch and nearby [[Ogemaw Springs, Michigan|Ogemaw Springs]] vying to become [[county seat]]. West Branch officially became the county seat in 1876. West Branch was incorporated as a [[Village (United States)|village]] in 1885, and as a city in 1905.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ogemaw County Michigan Genealogy & History |url=https://genealogytrails.com/mich/ogemaw/history.html |access-date=2024-01-29 |website=genealogytrails.com}}</ref>

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau|U.S. Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|1.53|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, all land.<ref name="CenPopGazetteer2019">{{cite web|title=2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2019_Gazetteer/2019_gaz_place_26.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=July 25, 2020}}</ref>

===Climate===
This [[climate|climatic]] region is typified by large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot (and often humid) summers and cold (sometimes severely cold) winters. According to the [[Köppen Climate Classification]] system, West Branch has a [[humid continental climate]], abbreviated "Dfb" on climate maps.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=8802&cityname=West+Branch%2C+Michigan%2C+United+States+of+America&units=|title=West Branch, Michigan Köppen Climate Classification (Weatherbase)|work=Weatherbase}}</ref>

{{Weather box 
|location = West Branch, Michigan (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1900–present)
|single line = Y
|width = auto
|Jan record high F = 62
|Feb record high F = 70
|Mar record high F = 86
|Apr record high F = 91
|May record high F = 96
|Jun record high F = 105
|Jul record high F = 107
|Aug record high F = 103
|Sep record high F = 97
|Oct record high F = 89
|Nov record high F = 77
|Dec record high F = 68
|year record high F = 107

|Jan avg record high F = 45.6
|Feb avg record high F = 48.8
|Mar avg record high F = 63.8
|Apr avg record high F = 77.0
|May avg record high F = 86.1
|Jun avg record high F = 90.6
|Jul avg record high F = 91.3
|Aug avg record high F = 89.9
|Sep avg record high F = 86.5
|Oct avg record high F = 77.7
|Nov avg record high F = 62.8
|Dec avg record high F = 50.0
|year avg record high F = 93.4

|Jan high F = 27.4
|Feb high F = 30.4
|Mar high F = 40.9
|Apr high F = 53.7
|May high F = 67.0
|Jun high F = 76.3
|Jul high F = 80.3
|Aug high F = 78.5
|Sep high F = 71.4
|Oct high F = 57.8
|Nov high F = 43.6
|Dec high F = 32.7
|year high F = 55.0
|Jan mean F = 18.9
|Feb mean F = 20.3
|Mar mean F = 29.9
|Apr mean F = 42.0
|May mean F = 54.6
|Jun mean F = 64.2
|Jul mean F = 68.3
|Aug mean F = 66.5
|Sep mean F = 58.9
|Oct mean F = 46.9
|Nov mean F = 35.3
|Dec mean F = 25.5
|year mean F = 44.3
|Jan low F = 10.4
|Feb low F = 10.1
|Mar low F = 18.9
|Apr low F = 30.3
|May low F = 42.2
|Jun low F = 52.2
|Jul low F = 56.4
|Aug low F = 54.5
|Sep low F = 46.4
|Oct low F = 36.0
|Nov low F = 26.9
|Dec low F = 18.2
|year low F = 33.5

|Jan avg record low F = -11.2
|Feb avg record low F = -10.8
|Mar avg record low F = -2.7
|Apr avg record low F = 16.8
|May avg record low F = 27.9
|Jun avg record low F = 38.3
|Jul avg record low F = 44.8
|Aug avg record low F = 43.5
|Sep avg record low F = 33.1
|Oct avg record low F = 23.8
|Nov avg record low F = 11.7
|Dec avg record low F = -1.5
|year avg record low F = -15.0

|Jan record low F = -30
|Feb record low F = -36
|Mar record low F = -33
|Apr record low F = -11
|May record low F = 15
|Jun record low F = 25
|Jul record low F = 30
|Aug record low F = 30
|Sep record low F = 21
|Oct record low F = 5
|Nov record low F = -15
|Dec record low F = -27
|year record low F = -36
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation inch = 2.05
|Feb precipitation inch = 1.61
|Mar precipitation inch = 1.83
|Apr precipitation inch = 3.40
|May precipitation inch = 3.48
|Jun precipitation inch = 3.53
|Jul precipitation inch = 3.48
|Aug precipitation inch = 3.44
|Sep precipitation inch = 2.73
|Oct precipitation inch = 3.31
|Nov precipitation inch = 2.55
|Dec precipitation inch = 2.15
|year precipitation inch = 33.56
|Jan snow inch = 14.7
|Feb snow inch = 11.7
|Mar snow inch = 6.9
|Apr snow inch = 2.9
|May snow inch = 0.1
|Jun snow inch = 0.0
|Jul snow inch = 0.0
|Aug snow inch = 0.0
|Sep snow inch = 0.0
|Oct snow inch = 0.3
|Nov snow inch = 3.8
|Dec snow inch = 12.6
|year snow inch = 53.0
|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
|Jan precipitation days = 13.1
|Feb precipitation days = 9.5
|Mar precipitation days = 9.0
|Apr precipitation days = 11.4
|May precipitation days = 12.3
|Jun precipitation days = 11.4
|Jul precipitation days = 10.6
|Aug precipitation days = 10.5
|Sep precipitation days = 11.0
|Oct precipitation days = 13.4
|Nov precipitation days = 11.8
|Dec precipitation days = 13.3
|year precipitation days = 137.3
|unit snow days = 0.1 in
|Jan snow days = 10.7
|Feb snow days = 8.8
|Mar snow days = 5.0
|Apr snow days = 1.6
|May snow days = 0.1
|Jun snow days = 0.0
|Jul snow days = 0.0
|Aug snow days = 0.0
|Sep snow days = 0.0
|Oct snow days = 0.1
|Nov snow days = 3.3
|Dec snow days = 9.4
|year snow days = 39.0

|Jan snow depth inch = 9.8
|Feb snow depth inch = 10.4
|Mar snow depth inch = 8.5
|Apr snow depth inch = 2.2
|May snow depth inch = 0.1
|Jun snow depth inch = 0.0
|Jul snow depth inch = 0.0
|Aug snow depth inch = 0.0
|Sep snow depth inch = 0.0
|Oct snow depth inch = 0.2
|Nov snow depth inch = 2.2
|Dec snow depth inch = 6.2
|year snow depth inch = 12.3

|source 1 = [[NOAA]]<ref name= NOAA >
{{cite web
| url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/Climate?wfo=apx
| title = NowData – NOAA Online Weather Data
| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
| access-date = September 2, 2021}}</ref><ref name=NCEI>
{{cite web
| url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USC00208800&format=pdf
| title = Station: W Branch 3SE, MI
| work = U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991–2020)
| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
| access-date = September 2, 2021}}</ref>
}}

===Major highways===
*{{jct|state=MI|I|75}} is a major north–south freeway that passes to the southwest of the city.
*{{jct|state=MI|BL|75|dab1=West Branch}} serves as a [[business route]] through the city of West Branch.
*{{jct|state=MI|M|30}} is a north–south route with a northern terminus in the city.
*{{jct|state=MI|M|55}} is an east–west route that traverses the Lower Peninsula from [[Manistee, Michigan|Manistee]] to [[Tawas City, Michigan|Tawas City]].

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1880= 139
|1890= 1302
|1900= 1412
|1910= 1276
|1920= 1105
|1930= 1164
|1940= 1962
|1950= 2098
|1960= 2025
|1970= 1912
|1980= 1785
|1990= 1914
|2000= 1926
|2010= 2139
|2020= 2351
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{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}}</ref>
}}

===2020 census===
As of the census of 2020, there were 2,052 people, 979 households, with a median house income of $30,508. The percentage of people who drove to work alone was 77.7%, people who carpooled to work was 12.5%, and people who walked to work was 5.06%. Therefore, the most common way to commute was driving alone. Median earnings for men was $35,054 and for women it was $24,234. The industries in 2020 with the most median earnings for men are Construction ($42,353), Entertainment, Arts, Recreation, Accommodations and Food Services ($42,188), and Manufacturing ($35,677). The racial makeup of the city was 91% White, 4.68% Asian, 1.56% Hispanic, 1.51% Multiracial, 1.22% African American, .195% other. On average there is 2 cars per household. People have an average commute time of 19.1 minutes. Per capita personal health care spending in Michigan was $8,055 in 2014. This is a 4% increase from the previous year ($7,745). Insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 18.3% under 18 years, 20.7% between 18 and 34 years, 31.9% between 35 and 64 years, and 29.1% over 64 years.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://datausa.io/profile/geo/west-branch-mi | title=West Branch, MI &#124; Data USA }}</ref>

===2010 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name="wwwcensusgov">{{cite web|title=U.S. Census website|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2012-11-25}}</ref> of 2010, there were 2,139 people, 1,006 households, and 489 families living in the city. The [[population density]] was {{convert|1445.3|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 1,147 housing units at an average density of {{convert|775.0|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 96.9% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.5% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.6% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.7% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.2% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 1.1% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 1.7% of the population.

There were 1,006 households, of which 24.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 28.9% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 15.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.0% had a male householder with no wife present, and 51.4% were non-families. 45.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 23.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.99 and the average family size was 2.74.

The median age in the city was 44.3 years. 20.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 21% were from 25 to 44; 25.2% were from 45 to 64; and 24.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 42.9% male and 57.1% female.

===2000 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2" /> of 2000, there were 1,926 people, 833 households, and 475 families living in the city. The population density was {{convert|1,447.6|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 916 housing units at an average density of {{convert|688.5|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 95.17% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.10% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.52% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 2.60% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.16% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.45% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 0.73% of the population.

There were 833 households, out of which 29.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.8% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 14.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.9% were non-families. 37.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.24 and the average family size was 2.95.

In the city, 25.6% of the population was under the age of 18, 8.6% from 18 to 24, 30.5% from 25 to 44, 19.7% from 45 to 64, and 15.6% was 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $30,132, and the median income for a family was $35,385. Males had a median income of $30,677 versus $21,343 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $17,852. About 9.9% of families and 14.0% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 18.4% of those under age 18 and 15.7% of those age 65 or over.

==Education==
West Branch-Rose City Area Schools is a local public school district. Residents are served by Surline Elementary and Middle Schools, as well as by [[Ogemaw Heights High School]], which serves both West Branch and Rose City. The high school's mascot is the falcon.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wbrc.k12.mi.us|title=West Branch Rose City Area Schools > Home|work=wbrc.k12.mi.us}}</ref> Saint Joseph Catholic School is a private parochial elementary school in West Branch, serving students from preschool through eighth grade.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wbstjoseph.com/|title=St Joseph Catholic School > Home|work=wbstjoseph.com}}</ref> It is affiliated with the Diocese of Gaylord of the Roman Catholic Church, and is a member of the National Catholic Educational Association. Post-secondary education in the area is provided by [[Kirtland Community College]].

==Medical facilities==
MydMichigan Medical Center – West Branch (formerly West Branch Regional Medical Center before April 2, 2018) is located on 2463 S. M-30.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Chronology |url=https://www.midmichigan.org/about/history/chronology/#:~:text=West%20Branch%20Regional%20Medical%20Center,MidMichigan%20Medical%20Center%20%E2%80%93%20West%20Branch.|access-date=2021-06-05|website=MidMichigan Health}}</ref> They offer many different specialties, such as rehabilitation programs, condition-specific educational sources, and a wound care center.<ref>{{Cite web|title=West Branch Regional Medical Center |url=https://www.wbrmc.com/|access-date=2021-06-05|website=West Branch Regional Medical Center}}</ref> The rehabilitation programs offered range from neurological to physical. The three main programs offered are physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy. A couple of the physical therapy treatments offered are post-surgical hip rehabilitation and even a weight management program. Their occupational therapy program offers functional capacity evaluations and shoulder pain and post-surgical shoulder rehabilitation. Speech therapy programs help with speech and cognitive disorders and also swallowing disorders.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Rehabilitation Services |url=https://www.wbrmc.com/rehabilitation.php|access-date=2021-06-05|website=West Branch Regional Medical Center}}</ref>

The Wound Care Center at West Branch Regional Medical Center offers many opportunities to patients who suffer from non-healing wounds or from chronic pain related to a wound. This program offers treatment such as debridement, specialized wound dressings, compression therapy, bio-engineered skin grafts, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Wound Care Services |url=https://www.wbrmc.com/wound-care.php|access-date=2021-06-05|website=West Branch Regional Medical Center}}</ref>

On July 1, 2010, West Branch Regional Medical Center closed its obstetrics ward, no longer serving expectant mothers in the community. No other units were anticipated to close at the time, and expectant mothers were referred to nearby hospitals in cities like Tawas, Saginaw, Midland, or Bay City for delivery, after consulting with their physician.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ogemawherald.com/stories/WBRMC-not-planning-to-suspend-additional-services,86986|title=WBRMC not planning to suspend additional services |website=Ogemaw County Herald|access-date=2016-04-27}}</ref> On March 1, 2021, MidMichigan Medical Center – West Branch reopened its obstetrics ward with a virtual grand reopening.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021|title=New maternity unit opens |url=https://www.ogemawherald.com/articles/new-maternity-unit-opens/|access-date=2021-06-05|website=Ogemaw County Herald}}</ref>

==Local activities and attractions==
West Branch contains Irons Park, a city park established in 1955 and named for former landowner Archie Irons. Many events are held in the park yearly, including an [[Easter egg hunt]], the [[Humane Society of the United States|Humane Society]] Mutt March, the Summer Music Series, the [[Art of the United Kingdom#Victorian arts|Victorian Art]] Fair, a fishing derby, and duck races, to name a few. The park is also the home of Fort Austin, named in memory of Austin Clark, which consists of a large, complex, modern, wooden play-scape. The park has many activities available, including biking, fishing, bird-watching, and many children's activities; the park also has two tennis courts, basketball courts, picnic tables, grills, and two bathroom facilities. In the winter, Irons Park is often used for sledding.

In 2014, the John Tolfree Hospital installed the Tolfree Wellness Park on the West Branch Regional Medical Center’s campus. This was the first step to WBRMC's Go Outside! project to address childhood obesity in poverty-stricken families. The park houses a 3.3 mile trail, gardens, a greenhouse, and a pavilion. The park also sponsors the Soles for Cardio Run/Walk to promote fun and healthy lifestyles; all proceeds go to health and wellness programs at the medical center and to help maintain the Tolfree Wellness Park.<ref>{{Cite web|title=West Branch Regional Medical Center: Go Outside! – MiCare Matters|url=https://micarematters.org/stories/west-branch-regional-medical-center-go-outside/|access-date=2021-06-05|language=en-US}}</ref>

West Branch also has two bowling alleys, Ogemaw Lanes and Hi-Skore. West Branch Cinema 3, the local movie theater, is located in the downtown Victorian district. Special seasonal activities also abound in the area. Kirtland Community College hosts the R.O.A.R. (Rock Out Against Rape) Battle of the Bands to benefit Grayling's River House shelter, which serves survivors and victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse in Crawford, Ogemaw, Oscoda, and Roscommon counties. In February, West Branch is home to the Ogemaw County Winterfest. The Ogemaw County Fair is held on the third week in August on Rifle River Trail, just 8 miles east of the city.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.visitwestbranch.com/events.shtml|title=West Branch Visitors Bureau|work=visitwestbranch.com}}</ref> During the last week of July, West Branch hosts Relay for Life in Irons Park, supporting the fight against breast cancer, raising money for charities, and increasing awareness of breast cancer.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/RelayForLife/RFLCY14LS?pg=entry&fr_id=59806|title=Relay For Life of Ogemaw County|work=acsevents.org}}</ref>

==Notable people==
* Catherine Laurion, [[Miss Michigan Teen USA]] 2005 and first runner-up in the national [[Miss Teen USA 2005]] pageant
* [[Alex Rose (athlete)|Alex Rose]], athlete who represented [[Samoa]] at the [[2016 Summer Olympics|2016]] and [[2020 Summer Olympics]]
* [[Dita Von Teese]], [[Vedette (cabaret)|vedette]], [[American burlesque|burlesque dancer]], model, and businesswoman, known as the "Queen of Burlesque"
* [[Dave Walter]], former NFL quarterback for the [[Cincinnati Bengals]]
* [[Daniel Way]], comic book writer, known for his work on ''[[Wolverine: Origins]]'' and ''[[Deadpool]]''
* [[Joy Williams (singer)|Joy Williams]], singer and songwriter who performed as half of the duo [[The Civil Wars]]
* Donny Winter, [[Pushcart Prize]] nominated poet
* [[Anthony Zettel]], NFL defensive end who played for several teams and is currently a free agent

==Images==
<gallery widths="220px" heights="125px" perrow="3">
File:West Branch, Michigan post office.jpg|{{center|U.S. Post Office in West Branch}}
File:West Branch, Michigan library and city hall.jpg|{{center|West Branch Library and City Hall}}
File:West Branch, Michigan train depot.jpg|{{center|Former West Branch train depot}}
</gallery>

==References==
{{Reflist|refs=
<ref name="gnis">{{gnis|1627248}}</ref>

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<!-- <ref name="herald3">{{cite news|url=http://www.ogemawherald.com/detail/81474.html?content_source=&category_id=1&search_filter=&list_type=&order_by=&order_sort=&content_class=1&sub_type=&town_id=7|title=Inaugural children’s film festival kicks off next week|author=staff|date=July 20, 2009|publisher=[[Ogemaw County, Michigan|Ogemaw County Herald]]|access-date=7 June 2010}}</ref> -->

<!-- <ref name="herald4">{{cite news|url=http://www.ogemawherald.com/detail/81694.html?content_source=&category_id=1&search_filter=&list_type=&order_by=&order_sort=&content_class=1&sub_type=&town_id=7|title=Children’s film fest has potential to grow says participants|last=Ypung|first=Eric|date=August 3, 2009|publisher=[[Ogemaw County, Michigan|Ogemaw County Herald]]|access-date=7 June 2010}}</ref> -->

<!-- <ref name="wbcff">{{cite web|url=http://www.wbcff.com/|title=Ogemaw Film Festival|publisher=West Branch Children's Film Festival|access-date=7 June 2010}}</ref> -->
}}

==External links==
*[http://www.westbranch.com/ West Branch Website]

{{Ogemaw County, Michigan}}
{{Michigan county seats}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Cities in Ogemaw County, Michigan]]
[[Category:County seats in Michigan]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1885]]
[[Category:1885 establishments in Michigan]]