Berea, Nebraska

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 41 at the 2010 census.[3]

Berea, Nebraska
Census-designated place
Cluster of houses seen over railroad tracks occupied by train; metal grain elevator
Berea, seen from the southeast across the BNSF tracks
Berea is located in Nebraska
Berea
Berea
Location within Nebraska
Coordinates: 42°12′44″N 102°58′59″W[1]
CountryUnited States
StateNebraska
CountyBox Butte
First settled1889
Area
[2]
 • Total1.19 sq mi (3.09 km2)
 • Land1.19 sq mi (3.09 km2)
 • Water0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
[1]
4,141 ft (1,262 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total49
 • Density41.07/sq mi (15.86/km2)
Time zoneUTC-7 (Mountain (MST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-6 (MDT)
ZIP code
69301
Area code308
FIPS code31-04545
GNIS feature ID2583875[1]

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,[4] who named their new home after Berea, Ohio.[5][6]

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.[4]

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.[4]

In 1960, a population of 75 was reported for Berea.[4] The District 39 school was closed in 2007, at which time it had nine students enrolled.[7] In 2009, the town's population was estimated to be 50.[8]

Geography

Berea is approximately 10 miles (16 km) 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.[4]

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
202049—
U.S. Decennial Census[9]

Economy

Berea has no commercial district.[4] The Kelley Bean Company operates a grain elevator beside the railroad tracks; the elevator has a capacity of 633,000 US bushels (22,300 m3), and the siding has space for nine railroad cars.[10] 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.[11]

References
  1. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Berea, Nebraska
  2. "ArcGIS REST Services Directory". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 18, 2022.
  3. "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Berea CDP, Nebraska". U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved January 24, 2014.
  4. "Nebraska Historic Buildings Survey: Reconnaissance Survey Final Report of Box Butte County".[Usurped!] Nebraska State Historical Society.[Usurped!] Retrieved 2010-09-02.
  5. Fitzpatrick, Lilian Linder (1925). "Nebraska Place-Names". University of Nebraska Department of English. Retrieved 2010-09-02.
  6. Federal Writers' Project (1938). Origin of Nebraska place names. Lincoln, NE: Works Progress Administration. p. 6.
  7. "Berea School Will Not Operate in 2007-2008". Archived July 19, 2011, at the Wayback Machine KQSK-KAAQ Radio. Archived 2012-10-26 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 2010-09-02.
  8. "Box Butte County". Scottsbluff Star-Herald. 2009-11-18. Retrieved 2010-09-02.
  9. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2016.
  10. "Kelley Bean Co. - Berea, NE". BNSF Grain Elevator Directory. Retrieved 2010-09-02.
  11. Ledbetter, George. "County approves bonding for grain loading facilities". Chadron Record. 2010-08-10. Retrieved 2010-09-02.
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