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Berea, Kentucky

Berea is a home rule-class city in Madison County, Kentucky, in the United States.
Population 15,539

Top Events in Berea History

1
1816Education
John Gregg Fee (1816–1901), minister, abolitionist, founder of Berea College John Fenn, recipient of 2002 Nobel Prize in Chemistry; grew up in Berea.
2
1855Government
== History == The history of Berea is tied with the history of Berea College, which was founded in 1855.
3
1882Culture
The Berea railway station was created in 1882 as part of the Kentucky Central Railroad, and later the Louisville and Nashville Railroad (L&N).
4
1890Government
It was formally incorporated by the state assembly in 1890.
5
1911History
Louise Gilman Hutchins (1911–1996), pediatrician and president of Berea's Mountain Maternal Health League.
6
1974Education
The annual Berea College Celebration of Traditional Music, started in 1974, takes place in mid-October and features traditional music as passed down by people in the Appalachian...
7
1996Disaster
In April 1996 a tornado went through the city, causing damage to about 800-1000 homes, with 20 percent of those being destroyed.
8
2000History
It is one of the fastest-growing cities in Kentucky, having increased by 27.4% since 2000.
9
2010History
== Demographics == At the 2010 census, there were 13,561 people, 5,119 households and 3,382 families residing in the city.
10
2013History
== Notable people == Sue Draheim, fiddler, lived in Berea in her later years until her death in 2013.

Latest News from Kentucky

Kentucky Legislature Approves Bible Class Public Schools
FRANKFORT, Ky. — On March 11, 2016, the Kentucky legislature gave the green light to a bill that would let public schools offer …

Historical Timeline

1816Education
John Gregg Fee (1816–1901), minister, abolitionist, founder of Berea College John Fenn, recipient of 2002 Nobel Prize in Chemistry; grew up in Berea.
1855Government
== History == The history of Berea is tied with the history of Berea College, which was founded in 1855.
1882Culture
The Berea railway station was created in 1882 as part of the Kentucky Central Railroad, and later the Louisville and Nashville Railroad (L&N).
1890Government
It was formally incorporated by the state assembly in 1890.
1911History
Louise Gilman Hutchins (1911–1996), pediatrician and president of Berea's Mountain Maternal Health League.
1974Education
The annual Berea College Celebration of Traditional Music, started in 1974, takes place in mid-October and features traditional music as passed down by people in the Appalachian...
1996Disaster
In April 1996 a tornado went through the city, causing damage to about 800-1000 homes, with 20 percent of those being destroyed.
2000History
It is one of the fastest-growing cities in Kentucky, having increased by 27.4% since 2000.
2010History
== Demographics == At the 2010 census, there were 13,561 people, 5,119 households and 3,382 families residing in the city.
2013History
== Notable people == Sue Draheim, fiddler, lived in Berea in her later years until her death in 2013.
2015History
Jean Ritchie, musician, "Mother of Folk"; resided in Berea until her death in 2015.
2021History
bell hooks, author, radical feminist, and social activist; lived in Berea until her death in 2021.
2023Economy
== Economy == In July 2023, Hitachi Astemo Americas Inc., announced it will expand its existing automotive manufacturing operations in Berea, with a new $153 million investment...

Did You Know?

1
Berea is located in the state of Kentucky.
2
Berea has a population of 15,539 residents.
3
The city is best known for its art festivals, historic restaurants and buildings, and as the home to Berea College, a private liberal arts college.

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Famous People from Berea, Kentucky

RF
Red Foley
Country Musician · Born Jun 17, 1910 · Died Sep 19, 1968 (age 58)
BH
Bell hooks
Author, Activist · Born Sep 25, 1952 · Died Dec 15, 2021 (age 69)
TS
Tony Snow
Journalist · Born Jun 1, 1955 · Died Jul 12, 2008 (age 53)
RM
Reuben A. Munday
Football Coach · Born Feb 10, 1900 · Died Jul 12, 1972 (age 72)
JF
John B. Fenn
Chemistry Professor · Born Jun 15, 1917 · Died Dec 10, 2010 (age 93)
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