Berwick, Iowa


Berwick is an unincorporated community in Polk County, Iowa, United States, on the east bank of Fourmile Creek. It is part of the Des Moines–West Des Moines Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

In the early 20th century, Berwick and Norwoodville, a mile southwest, were home to several coal mines. The Norwood-White shaft No. 1 was deep, accessing a coal seam. By 1908, this mine extended over roughly. Norwood-White shaft No. 2 was half a mile to the east. This mine was newer, covering over in 1908. The Delaware Coal Company had a shaft a mile northwest of Berwick, with a shaft deep. By 1908, this mine covered less than. In 1914, Norwood-White produced over 100,000 tons of coal, ranking among the top 24 coal producers in the state. In 1912, United Mine Workers Local 318 in Berwick had 220 members, and Local 845 in Norwoodville, one mile south, had 129 members.