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Berea, OH

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Berea, OH

Berea is a city in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, United States. The population was 18,545 at the 2020 census. A western suburb of Cleveland, it is a part of the Cleveland metropolitan area. Berea is home to Baldwin Wallace University, as well as the training facility for the Cleveland Browns and the Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds.

Berea is located south/southwest of Brook Park and west of Middleburg Heights. According to the 2010 census, the city has a total area of 5.83 square miles (15.1 km²), of which 5.72 square miles (14.8 km²) (or 98.11%) is land and 0.11 square miles (0.28 km²) (or 1.89%) is water. The east branch of the Rocky River runs through Berea, providing its water supply for most of the year. The Cleveland Metroparks' Rocky River and Mill Stream Run reservations run through the city.

Berea was established in 1836. The first European settlers were originally from Connecticut. Berea fell within Connecticut's Western Reserve and was surveyed and divided into townships and ranges by Gideon Granger, who served as Postmaster General under President Thomas Jefferson. Abram Hickox, a Revolutionary War veteran, bought the first plot in what is today Middleburg Heights and in 1808 traveled west from Connecticut to his new purchase. Dissuaded by the swampy and heavily forested land he decided to settle in Cleveland. He became successful as Cleveland's first full-time blacksmith. His plot of land was sold to his nephew, Jared Hickox, who came to the area with his wife Sarah and family in 1809. They followed an ancient Indian highway down through the forest from Cleveland and then, at what is now the corner of Bagley and Pearl roads, began to hack their way directly west. About two miles (3.2 km) in, they found Granger's plot markers and set up their homestead. Today, this area is a strip mall on Bagley Road, just down the road from Berea. At the time Hickox discovered Granger's plot markers, the area was a swampy lowland and, as fate would have it, the Hickox's two grown-up sons died from typhoid fever shortly after the family's arrival. The family farm was in dire straits, having been so severely depleted of male laborers. Love came to the rescue, however; and the area's spirits were lifted by its first marriage, that of Jared's daughter Amy Hickox to a recent arrival, Abijah Bagley. Bagley ended up taking over the farm and managing it into a successful concern. Today, Berea's largest street bears his name.

In 1827, educator John Baldwin moved to Middeburg Township where he joined forces with James Gilruth and Henry Olcott Sheldon, Methodist circuit preachers who wanted to form an ideal Christian community. In 1836, they pledged to pool all their properties to create a Utopian "Community of United Christians." Members of the Community vowed to avoid all luxuries and temptations that would prevent them from achieving the Methodist ideal of "sanctification," or perfect love of God. In 1836, Baldwin and the others of the Utopian Community tried to think of a name for their new town. Nehemiah Brown proposed Tabor (perhaps from the biblical Mount Tabor), but Henry Sheldon suggested Berea, citing the biblical Berea in Acts 17:10-11. They decided to let God decide the Community's place name by flipping a coin, and the coin came up Berea. Financial disputes led to the dissolution of the Community and the departure of James Gilruth within a year. John Baldwin and Henry Sheldon then teamed up with Josiah Holbrook, the founder of the American Lyceum movement for adult and community education, to found the Berea Seminary, a central instructional facility for Lyceum teachers, and a Lyceum Village composed of community members dedicated to the creation of an educated population. The Lyceum Village concept never caught on in Berea due to the 1838 Public School Act, but the idea of an ideal community centered around a school continued even after the Berea Seminary closed.

Berea places a strong emphasis on health and wellness, offering residents access to quality healthcare services and recreational facilities. Southwest General Health Center serves as a leading healthcare provider, offering comprehensive medical care to residents of Berea and surrounding communities. Explore the parks, facilities, and programs the Berea Parks and Recreation Department offers. These spaces provide opportunities for outdoor activities such as walking, jogging, sports, and picnicking. Join local fitness centers and gyms to participate in exercise programs, fitness classes, and strength training. Some popular options include Powerhouse Gym, Jazzercise, and Power Pass. Discover the walking and biking trails in and around Berea, such as the Emerald Necklace and South Quarry Loop Trail. These trails offer opportunities for outdoor exercise and enjoyment of nature.

The top sites in Berea, OH are Coe Lake Park, Rocky River Reservation, and Berea Falls.

Population: 18,545 (2020). ZIP Code: 44017. Area code: 440. Elevation: 787 ft (240 m). Area: 5.79 sq mi (15.01 km²).

FAQs

What is Berea, OH famous for?

After beginning of quarrying of the Berea sandstone in the 1830s, Baldwin initially shipped grindstones to Cleveland by ox carts, and later the quarries were connected to the railroad by a spur line. Berea proclaims itself "The Grindstone Capital of the World". The town's symbol is a grindstone, a tribute to the many grindstones that came out of its quarries.

What is the crime rate in Berea, OH?

With a crime rate for both violent and property crime combined of 6 per 1,000 residents, the crime rate in Berea is one of the lower rates in America among communities of all sizes (lower than 70% of America's communities). One's chance of becoming a victim of crime in Berea is one in 175. Such a favorable crime profile contributes to the overall well-being and quality of life in Berea, making it an attractive place to live, work, and raise a family.

Is Berea, OH a good place to live?

Berea is in Cuyahoga County and is one of the best places to live in Ohio. Living in Berea offers residents a dense suburban feel and most residents own their homes. Many young professionals live in Berea and residents tend to have moderate political views. The public schools in Berea are above average.

Sources

Wikipedia 

City of Berea

Southwest General Health Center 

Berea Parks and Recreation Department 

Powerhouse Gym

Jazzercise 

Power Pass

Emerald Necklace 

South Quarry Loop Trail

Coe Lake Park

Rocky River Reservation

Berea Falls

NeighborhoodScout

Niche

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