The focus on West Branch, Iowa is typically directed toward the Herbert Hoover Library and Museum and Herbert Hoover National Historic Site. Thousands of visitors annually tour the museum exhibits, visit the Birthplace Cottage, and watch the blacksmith demonstrations. These visits often end with visitors asking where they can eat. The simple answer directs people to another gem within the town: Historic Main Street West Branch.

Within the vibrant little business district lies 16 buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places. West Branch was also called “One of the 10 Prettiest Towns in Iowa” in 2023 by WorldAtlas in part due to the flourishing downtown. The historic buildings are inhabited by businesses that showcase a wide array of options for visitors, including a coffee shop, ice cream parlor, pizza joint and pub to specialty shops with antiques, vintage decor, candy, art, gifts and more. It’s a significant piece of what makes the town the destination it is.

If visitors are interested in exploring more history outside of the Hoover Campus, Main Street West Branch includes the Heritage Museum. Since 1965, the museum has preserved much of the town’s history. It is open by appointment only, so plan ahead if you want to integrate this stop into your trip.

Main Street West Branch also has accolades that they can tout. The organization has been accredited by both Main Street America and Main Street Iowa since 2006. The stringent process to accomplish this involves the volunteers completing a competitive application process and annually committing to exceptionally high standards for downtown economic development and historic preservation. In 2023, one of their projects won the Outstanding Facade Improvement Project Award from Iowa Economic Development Authority. This year, another project won the Outstanding Business Support Award, and a second won Outstanding Building Rehabilitation award, both from Iowa Economic Development Authority.

Jessi Simon, Executive Director of Main Street West Branch, said of the organization, “As a Main Street accredited program, our mission is to improve the social and economic wellbeing of our community and the historic downtown by preserving and sharing our history and unique identity; attracting and supporting small businesses; and engaging and connecting the community. We love welcoming visitors to our Main Street district to eat, shop, and explore!”

The relationship among the Hoover Presidential Foundation, Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum, Herbert Hoover National Historic Site, and Main Street West Branch is symbiotic. The Library and Historic Site are historically complementary, the Foundation supports the Library, Historic Site, and Hoover-related programs, and Main Street contains added history while providing dining and shopping options for visitors.

Mundi McCarty, President and CEO of the Hoover Presidential Foundation, said of the relationship, “Main Street West Branch serves as an important partner to the foundation, the Hoover National Historic Site, and Hoover Presidential Library and Museum, enriching the visitor experience with its shops, events, and amenities. By supporting and helping to preserve the historic main street businesses and heritage, it complements the foundation, park and museum’s mission, extending history onto Main Street, creating another destination for visitors to explore.”

This relationship becomes better defined during the planning and celebration of Hoover’s Hometown Days. The four entities come together regularly to plan and schedule their respective activities in a manner that will produce a cohesive celebration every August. This year has been particularly busy, as Herbert Hoover’s 150^th birthday will fall during the festivities running from August 9-10.

If you have never taken the time to explore Main Street West Branch on a trip to the Hoover Campus, you will find that it’s worth your time. Not only will you enjoy exploring the businesses in this prairie town, but you will also get an expanded perspective on the history of the place that Herbert Hoover once called home.

You can find out more about Main Street West Branch at mainstreetwestbranch.org.

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