Berwick, Iowa

Berwick is an unincorporated community in Polk County, Iowa|Delaware Township], Polk [County, Iowa|Polk County], Iowa, United States, on the east bank of Fourmile Creek. It is part of the Des Moines–Des Moines, Iowa|West Des Moines] Des Moines [metropolitan area|Metropolitan Statistical Area].
Image:SaylorvilleMines.png|thumb|upright=1.4|Map of the Berwick area from 1908, showing the railroads and coal mines of the region. Berwick is in the lower center.

History

Berwick's population in 1902 was 72, and was 80 in 1925.
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.
The population was 150 in 1940.