Berea History
Named by the flip of a coin in 1836, Berea grew from an agricultural area to a quarry town as a result of the discovery of rich sandstone veins by John Baldwin. Fine quality grindstones were cut from Berea sandstone as the Berea quarries flourished from about 1840 through 1940.
In 1845 John Baldwin founded the educational institution now known as Baldwin Wallace University, a highly regarded church related co-educational liberal arts college with a renowned Baldwin Wallace Conservatory of Music.
Getting here is easy, too. Berea sits right next to Cleveland Hopkins International Airport and the interstate highway system, putting you just 14 miles from Cleveland’s Public Square and all the opportunities the city offers.
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Nature is never far away. The nearby Metroparks system gives residents plenty of space to enjoy the outdoors while preserving the peaceful beauty of the area.
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Berea also has a deep sense of history and charm. Beautiful churches, homes, and businesses—some dating back to 1834—tell the story of the city’s past. While Berea has grown and changed over the years, it has held on to its friendly, hometown feel in the heart of the historic Western Reserve. That pride shows in the community’s ongoing commitment to preserving Berea’s history.