Berea is an unincorporated community and census-designated place in Box Butte County, in the northwestern part of the state of Nebraska in the Midwestern United States. It had a population of 49 at the 2020 census.
History
The Burlington Railroad reached the area of Berea in 1889, and railroad support facilities, including a water tower and section house, were built on the site. The town was founded by a group of settlers, originally from Ohio, Retrieved 2010-09-02. who named their new home after Berea, Ohio.Fitzpatrick, Lilian Linder (1925). "Nebraska Place-Names". University of Nebraska Department of English. Retrieved 2010-09-02.
In 1890–91, the town had a population of 50, and a general store, newspaper, and post office; five years later, a school and community hall had been added.
The population of Berea fluctuated over the next century. The town was of some local importance as a shipping stop along the railroad, although it never developed many commercial enterprises. A garage opened in 1921, repairing both automobiles and farm machinery. In 1925, when the population was estimated at 35, the post office was re-opened; it closed again a year later. A refinery was operated in the town in 1935 by the Utility Petroleum Company of Chadron.
In 1960, a population of 75 was reported for Berea. The District 39 school was closed in 2007, at which time it had nine students enrolled."Berea School Will Not Operate in 2007-2008". KQSK-KAAQ Radio. Retrieved 2010-09-02. In 2009, the town's population was estimated to be 50."Box Butte County". Scottsbluff Star-Herald. 2009-11-18. Retrieved 2010-09-02.
Geography Berea is approximately northwest of Alliance, the county seat of Box Butte County. It lies along the west side of the BNSF Railway tracks, and of Nebraska Highway 2 near its junction with U.S. Route 385.
Demographics
Economy Berea has no commercial district. The Kelley Bean Company operates a grain elevator beside the railroad tracks; the elevator has a capacity of , and the siding has space for nine railroad cars."Kelley Bean Co. - Berea, NE". BNSF Grain Elevator Directory. Retrieved 2010-09-02. In 2010, West Plains Grain Inc. announced plans to build a high-speed grain-loading facility with a capacity of 126 rail cars near Berea.Ledbetter, George. "County approves bonding for grain loading facilities". Chadron Record. 2010-08-10. Retrieved 2010-09-02.
References