By Staff
Every step taken in Riverfront Park was once the path of a steaming locomotive." 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. 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' own "Rails to Trails." There will be a limited number of chairs available, so bring your own if possible. For more information, contact Donna Ochenryder 684-2796.