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City Profile
City of Berne, connected to its Swiss roots
The Swiss heritage of the city of Berne is apparent from the time visitors are welcomed to the city with this sign. (Photo provided)
By DENISE FEDOROW | The Municipal
The city of Berne, Ind., in Adams County has stayed close to its Swiss roots. The picturesque city, 35 miles south of Fort Wayne, was founded by Swiss Mennonite immigrants in 1852. Known as the “furniture capital of Indiana,” Smith Brothers of Berne is one of the largest employers in Berne with over 600 employees. “It’s sold all over the world,” said Susan Buckingham, director of the chamber of commerce. There’s also Clauser Furniture, Habegger Furniture, Bernhaus Furniture and “a beautiful furniture store” on Main Street/Highway 27 — Yager Furniture Company. Dunbar Furniture Store is also in Berne and sells internationally to high-end clientele. “It does make Berne a destination to buy furniture,” Buckingham said. Some of the other large employers in Berne include FCC-Adams LLC — an auto parts manufacturer with over 500 employees — and Poseidon Barge Company. 40 THE MUNICIPAL | MAY 2022
Mayor Gregg Sprunger said it’s a little unusual to have a barge company in the middle of the Midwest; however, the barges Poseidon makes sit in the water to place cranes on and are used by the military and entertainment venues. Buckingham said there’s a Ford Motor Co. dealer Mayor Gregg A. (Moser Motor Sales) that’s been at the same location Sprunger, mayor for the city of Berne, is for 150 years. “It’s the original site and small but endearing,” she said. in his first term as Annie’s Publishing LLC is the new name for the craft mayor but served and nostalgia media division of DRG, headquartered 30 years on the in Berne. They operate out of a century-old building city council prior to that was once home to the Berne Milk Condensary. being elected mayor. The family of products offered by Annie’s Publishing (Photo provided) includes Annie’s Attic, House of White Birches, The
