Facts about Bronson

City Hall

Bronson was named after Jabez B. Bronson, who was the first settler to the area, moving here from Ohio in 1828. He became the first postmaster in 1830, calling it Bronson’s Prairie. It incorporated as a village in 1866. The name was shortened to Bronson in 1871 when the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad came through and built a station here. It was eventually incorporated as a city in 1934.

The city of Bronson was chartered in 1934 and developed into a fine community. Bronson has an estimated 300 farms in the area. The agriculture is diversified, including dairy production, swine, beef, sheep and grain farming. Bronson is a zoned community of well maintained homes, reflecting the pride and care of the community's residents. Homes may be purchased in Bronson at a very reasonable cost.

The City of Bronson has a diversified population including many of German, Polish and Hispanic descent. The surrounding area also has a large number of the Amish faith who afford the local residents a wide variety of fruits, produce, baked goods, beautiful handmade furniture and quilts and are excellent woodworkers and carpenters. Bronson offers the peace and serenity of small town America at its best.

With numerous lakes in the area and an abundant water supply,

Bronson welcomes tourism and water-intensive businesses.

The Bronson Public Library building is one of the few remaining Carnegie Libraries still in its original unaltered configuration. The Friends of the Library is a devoted group of local area citizens dedicated to promoting and preserving this precious landmark. Its primary goal is to raise funds for maintenance and restoration of the facility and grounds and to encourage and promote increased use by all area citizens. Another major project had this facility declared a Historical Landmark. All parties interested in joining with the Friends of the Library and their worthwhile endeavor are encouraged to contact the library for details.

Bronson is favored with Rotary, Kiwanis, Bronson Women's Club and the Bronson Republican Women's Club, all deeply involved in civic and youth affairs. Fraternal organizations include a Masonic Lodge, Royal Arch Chapter and Order of Eastern Star, The Knights of Columbus, Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion. The Bronson Chamber of Commerce members work on various civic projects throughout the year.

The Bronson Community School District includes about one-third of the area of Branch County. Enrollment in the public school system is approximately 1500 plus students. Bronson Junior/Senior High School has about 700 students and is classified as a class C school for athletic competition. The school system enjoys a low dropout rate of only seven percent. The Bronson school system comprises of 4 buildings and a large athletic complex including a lighted football field with an all weather track, lighted tennis courts, that are open to the public, softball diamonds and a baseball field. A soccer field is nearby. Also within the community is Saint Mary's Assumption School, an eight grade Catholic parochial school, is located on the northwest side of the city, with an enrollment of 135 students. The facility includes an assembly room, library, gymnasium and nine class rooms. A preschool nursery for ages three to five is also housed at St. Mary's. Nearby further education schools including Glen Oaks Community College and Kellogg Community College are two-year junior colleges. Kellogg Community College also has a newly opened extension located next to the Branch Area Career Center in nearby Coldwater.