City of Berne, Indiana
Location in the state of Indiana
Coordinates: 40°39′29″N 84°57′15″W / 40.65806, -84.95417
Country	United States
State	Indiana
County	Adams
Township	Monroe, Wabash
Government
- Mayor	John F. Minch (D)
Area
- Total	1.8 sq mi (4.7 km²)
- Land	1.8 sq mi (4.7 km²)
- Water	0.0 sq mi (0.0 km²)
Elevation	843 ft (257 m)
Population (2000)
- Total	4,150
- Density	2,305.6/sq mi (890.2/km²)
Time zone	EST (UTC-5)
- Summer (DST)	EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP codes	46711, 46769
Area code(s)	260
FIPS code	18-04888[1]
GNIS feature ID	0430849[2]
Website: www.bernein.com/

Berne is a city in Monroe and Wabash townships, Adams County, Indiana, settled in 1852 by seventy devout Mennonite immigrants who came directly from Switzerland, and named for the capital of Switzerland. The population was 4,150 at the 2000 census.

Geography

Berne is located in Northeast Indiana. 40°39′29″N, 84°57′15″W (40.658146, -84.954256)^[3].

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.7 km² (1.8 sq mi.

Demographics

As of the census^[1] of 2000, there were 4,150 people, 1,639 households, and 1,104 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,307.3 people per square mile (890.2/km²). There were 1,690 housing units at an average density of 939.6/sq mi (362.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.64% White, 0.07% African American, 0.07% Native American, 0.22% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 1.04% from other races, and 0.92% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.90% of the population.

There were 1,639 households out of which 32.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.5% were married couples living together, 7.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.6% were non-families. 31.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 3.02.

In the city the population was spread out with 25.7% under the age of 18, 6.8% from 18 to 24, 24.3% from 25 to 44, 19.3% from 45 to 64, and 23.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 86.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $35,491, and the median income for a family was $45,670. Males had a median income of $31,565 versus $21,563 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,394. About 1.4% of families and 3.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.5% of those under age 18 and 6.1% of those age 65 or over.

History

Berne is in the northeastern part of Indiana 35 miles south of Fort Wayne in the Wabash Valley. It was founded by Swiss Mennonites, and is now largely known for its Amish population. The town’s inauguration is marked as December 25, 1871, when the first train arrived, thanks to some innovative farmers who knew that efficient transportation would help the struggling area to prosper. The farmers struck a deal with the Indiana and Grand Rapids Railroads. They donated the land for the railroad in return for a depot in their community. After the arrival of the first train, more and more people, mainly of Swiss and German descent, populated the area now known as Berne. Today, the population has reached 4,150 people.

Infrastructure

Berne’s infrastructure is fully developed and strong. The town provides for all the necessities of its visitors and citizens. American Electric Power provides the electricity for Berne. The City of Berne provides water from its own wells, and also has its own water treatment facilities. Adams-Wells Internet provides internet services for Berne. Embarq (formerly Sprint) offers both voice and internet communications services. The cable company is Insight Communications. Insight also offers phone and broadband services for its customers.

Notable natives and former residents

• Keith Reinhard, former CEO and now chairman emeritus of DDBO Worldwide, an advertising giant.
• Richard R. Schrock, awarded the 2005 Nobel Prize for Chemistry, was born January 4, 1945 in Berne

Attractions

Berne has many different attractions for everyone. Amishville is a place to learn about the Amish lifestyle by taking a tour of the Amish farmhouse. Children and their family can enjoy a ride in a horse-drawn buggy. The tours and restaurant operate through the months of April to December. The gift shop has many local goods such as beautiful quilts, rocking chairs, candles and other crafts.

Swiss Heritage Village is a learning opportunity for everyone but especially children. Its theme is the late 1800s and early 1900s. Their goal is to show how life used to be by showing structures such as the schoolhouse the doctor’s office, the church, cheese house, cider press, and explaining the way of life such as making soap or candles.

Amishville USA used to be the home place of many Amish. The 120-acre farm was once occupied by Amish families. The Amish family that lived on the farm moved away and the farm became a place where tourists could learn about the Amish way of life. Tours are given through the house. People are able to see their belongings, attire, housing situation, and it is geared to be respectful. The “Old Buggy Shed” is the gift shop now. This was where they put their “open” buggies which were uncovered all year because covering them was a sign of unnecessary lavishness. The Amish have retained this practice still today.

The First Mennonite Church is one of the largest Mennonite churches in the United States. The trip wouldn’t be complete without visiting the last covered bridge of the Wabash Valley.

During the summertime people enjoy Bearcreek Farms and Pine Lake. The natural water and sandy beaches at Pine Lakes draw many locals and visitors alike. There are water slides, a tower, paddle boats, an area to play volleyball, and play sets for very small children who aren’t interested in swimming. Bearcreek Farms also offers shopping, a theater, a restaurant, a picnic area, playground, public restroom, television, basketball, a lake, shuffleboard, volleyball, bicycles and paddleboats. Since it is a resort it also happens to offer golf.

The Swiss Days Festival is a favorite for the people of Berne. Proud of their Swiss heritage, this three-day festival is an excellent chance for them to get in touch with their roots. There is family entertainment, such as magicians and musical performances by local talents. The 2007 Swiss Days Festival featured Taylor Ware, a twelve-year-old yodeler who was a finalist on America's Got Talent.

A quilt show and an art show are part of the festivities as well as tours. There is a tour of the Agape Respite Care, Amishville USA, Berne Furniture, Chalet Village, EP Graphics, Hitzer Stove, Key Fasteners, Dynamic Resource Group Publishing, Smith brothers Furniture, Swiss Village, and Swissland Milk Co. Some of the tours are free of charge, but others are not. Children are welcome to participate in contests and tournaments such as a bake-off contest, a tennis tournament, a 1 mile race, a pedal pull and a Big Wheel race. Adults also have a chance for friendly competition with the 5k race, horse-pull competition, bake-off and more. There is plenty of delicious food to select from since vendors have posts along the streets and they sell local and international goods such as. Local foods feature Neuenshwander’s Famous Brats, Swiss Heritage Village apple dumplings, The Berne Firemen’s food tent, kettle corn, and Stutzman home ice-cream. Arts, crafts, and souvenirs are sold, too. The highlight of the festival is the parade area bands and organizations participate and design and make their own float.

Swiss Days features two sidewalk sales. One is set up downtown and the other is located on US 27 North. In the past, Yager Furniture, The Gathering House, Provident Bookstore, Weaver Furniture of Berne, Richard’s and Sprunger Shoes appeared at the downtown sidewalk sale, Habbegger Furniture, Earthen Treasures, Clauser Furniture, Swiss Plaza Hardware, Berne Trading Co., and Bernhaus Furniture were at the US 27 North location. The fireworks display marks the end of the festivities. The people gather in the football field of South Adams High School to see the pyrotechnical show that is sponsored by First Bank of Berne and by Bank of Geneva. Souvenirs of the festival are the Swiss Days Bears with or without a bench, pins, mugs, afghans and t-shirts.

A proposed attraction is the Muensterberg Plaza and Clock Tower. It is being constructed across from the elementary school as a tribute to the clock tower located in Bern, Switzerland. Its purpose is to brand Berne as a unique destination, bring more economic strength to the area, and improve the quality of life by increasing income and property values. The Berne Community Development Corporation is heading the project, and expects that the trademark tower’s total cost will be $3,246,000. Collection of funds to build the clock tower began in 2005, with projected costs split between the actual clock tower, an endowment, a glockenspiel, an event lawn, a clock face, a promenade, a fountain/bear statue, a tower column, a settlers statue, a carved value stone, various historical markers, an arch, multiple icons, multiple lampposts, benches and trees, and finally, a flower garden. The project is not just about the tower, but about its surrounding area also.

Pat Miller, former Secretary of Commerce for the State of Indiana, said, “Your replica of Switzerland’s famous Clock Tower will be a wonderful boon to tourism and Northeast Indiana’s economy. Thank you for reminding us of the courage, faith, and determination of your ancestors. You do well to pass these values along to future generations in such a powerful and visionary way.” Television news station WPTA-TV featured a report about the clock tower for its news segment called 21 Country. The video can be seen on the Muensterberg Web site [1].

Berne is often called "The Furniture Capital of Indiana." Berne prides itself on two furniture factories; Smith Brothers Furniture, and Berne Furniture, and seven Furniture stores. Furniture stores in Berne inclue Bernhaus Furniture, Clauser Furniture, Habegger Furniture, Karen's Treasures, Weaver Furniture, and Yager Furniture. Tours given of Berne often include a tour of a place that makes furniture. One example of this is the Motor Coach tours. At one point in time, there was a third furniture factory in Berne called Dunbar, the plant has since closed, but at one point made high-end varieties of furniture. There is an example of the fine craftsmanship of Dunbar in the White House in Washington D.C..

Hospitality

The city of Berne is proud of its Swiss heritage, and desires to share this pride with the tourists that come to visit. Berne maintains a quaintness that attracts people who wish to taste the Swiss lifestyle or even that of the Amish. The slow pace of life attracts people from everywhere.

All attractions are geared toward teaching tourists about Berne's heritage such as the Swiss Heritage Village and Amishville USA. Even McDonalds has been transformed and molded to fit the city’s theme.

The chamber of commerce is very concerned with the satisfaction of tourists. Their website is geared toward the tourist and it has a lot of information such as attractions, events, lodging information and more.

References

External links

Adams Memorial Hospital. 25 Mar. 2007. [2]

Amishville USA. 22 Mar. 2007. [3]

Berne Chamber of Commerce. 25 Mar. 2007. [4]

Berne Public Library. 24 Mar. 2007. [5]

Berne Swiss Days. 25 Mar. 2007. [6]

Black Bear Inn & Suites. Personal Interview. 30 Mar. 2007.

Eastern Indiana Experience. 18 Mar. 2007.

• [7]

Insight. [8]

Mapquest. 29 Mar. 2007. [9]

Muensterberg Plaza and Clock Tower. 25 Mar. 2007. [10]

• Berne, Indiana is at coordinates 40°39′29″N 84°57′15″W / 40.658146, -84.954256 (Berne, Indiana)Coordinates: 40°39′29″N 84°57′15″W / 40.658146, -84.954256 (Berne, Indiana)

v â€˘ d â€˘ e Municipalities and communities of Adams County, Indiana
County seat: Decatur
Cities and towns	Berne | Decatur | Geneva | Monroe
Townships	Blue Creek | French | Hartford | Jefferson | Kirkland | Monroe | Preble | Root | St. Marys | Union | Wabash | Washington
Unincorporated communities	Ceylon | Coppess Corner | Elm Tree Crossroads | Honduras | Linn Grove | Magley | Monmouth | Perryville | Peterson | Pleasant Mills | Preble | Rivare | Williams