By By JESSICA SIEFF / Niles Daily Star
A new historical marker, to be dedicated Saturday, will commemorate Niles' notable place in the history of transportation and growth within the area.
Niles became a railroad community with arrival of the Michigan Central Railroad in 1848. Public minded men worked 34 years for a competing rail line to reduce passenger and freight costs. Then the newspaper, Republican, June 29, 1882 announced "AT LAST"! The Long Worked for Competition Secured at Last.
Join in the Dedication Festivities as the first marker sponsored by Fort St. Joseph Historical Association commemorating the arrival of what became known as the Big 4 Railroad making "Niles a Transportation Center Opening Southwestern Michigan to the World" is installed Saturday May 30, at 10 a.m. in at the north end of Riverfront Park.
The present Riverfront Park Trail is the footprint of the former Big 4 Railroad right-of-way, truly Niles's own "Rails to Trails." There will be a limited number of chairs available, so bring your own if possible.
"The St. Joseph River and the Sauk Trail (now U.S.12) were major transportation routes for Indians, French voyagers, missionaries, military and early settlers through Niles," states the marker.
Local historian Donna Ochenryder demonstrates that she is extremely versed in the history of Niles from 1650 on, explains how the St. Joseph River and portions of Niles were used to protect the French's interest in the fur trade markets.
"The river was so terribly important," in trade and transportation at that time, Ochenryder said.
As time went on – locomotives became an essential form of transportation – leading to progress throughout the nation. The railways brought commerce, competition and population to growing cities and developing rural areas.
The marker scheduled to go up in Riverfront Park highlights the role played by the railroad in Niles.
In 1848, the Michigan Central Railroad had arrived in Niles and city officials were quick to realize the need for a competing rail to allow for lower fares. That realization resulted in the arrival of the Airline Railroad. Eventually, however, Ochenryder said those two rails became one and the need for competition was lost again.
"The transportation hub was absolutely critical," she said.
While the Michigan Central Line provided service from East to West it was not until the A line called the "Big 4", for Cincinnati, Cleveland, Chicago, St. Louis, arrived in Niles in 1882, Ochenryder said, bringing not only long awaited competition – but service North and South.
"Every step taken in Niles Riverfront Park was once the path of a steaming locomotive," she said.
Ochenryder said the arrival of the "Big 4" caused businesses within the city to flourish commercially, industrially and agriculturally.
It was announced last December that the city had scored big with a grant of $170,500 to further efforts in constructing what would be an 18 mile trail connecting Niles, Niles Township, South Bend and Mishawaka Ind.
Ochenryder said the desire is to make Niles' portion of the trail a historical one. The marker at Riverfront Park focusing on the "Big 4" is just the first, she said.
Other possible markers that Ochenryder offered up included the site of the old Volant Mill that used to sit on Front Street and the Mole Trap Company.
The marker, which Ochenryder said is 36" by 60" will feature extensive text describing the site as well as several photos and a detailed map.
"It's commemorating our history," Ochenryder said.