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Niles history goes back before its incorporation in 1899. It was first settled by Potawatomi Indians in the 1700's. The first pioneers were mainly German, settling in this area because of the rich farmland and its low cost. The vicinity of Milwaukee and Touhy Ave. became known as "Dutchman's Point" circa 1830's. In 1832 John Schadegar and Jules Perren built the first log cabin. The second house was built by Christian F. Ebinger, who with his family from Ann Arbor, Michigan, settled in the area in 1834. The Ebingers cultivated friendly relations with Indians. Christian was particularly well acquainted with Chief Black Hawk, with whom smoked the pipe of peace.
The first school was erected in 1838, in the area of what is now known as Touhy and Harlem Avenues. The early settlers engaged in truck farming/greenhouses and traveled the North Plank Road (Milwaukee Avenue) to the Chicago Markets.
Niles Township was incorporated in 1850. The only doctor in the area was Theo Hoffman who arrived about 1850. The Dannish, Bohemian, Polish, and English immigrants filtered into Dutchman's point around 1870. The population of the Village of Niles in 1884 was 200 people and consisted of two general stores, one pharmacy, a harness shop, two blacksmith shops, one doctor, two hotels, two schools, three churches, and three cemeteries. At the time of our incorporation August, 1899, John Huntington was elected the first mayor with a population of 500 and by 1920 the Village was 1,200.
BLUE BOY" was the first Fire Wagon in Niles. It was used as a hand drawn unit in 1899-1990, converted to horse drawn in 1910. The unit is now at the Niles Fire Station #2 at Dempster and Cumberland.
In the 1930's, the population increased to 2,135 including 800 in St. Hedwigs orphanage. St. Hedwigs closed in 1960; it later became Niles College until 1995.
In 1932, Robert Ilg constructed a recreational park for his employees, consisting of twin swimming pools and cabanas, plus featuring a half size replica of the Leaning Tower of Pisa to cover the pool's water tank. In 1960 Mr. and Mrs. Robert Ilg presented the Niles Y.M.C.A. organization, a part of the Ilgar Park property. In 1996, the Leaning Tower was dedicated to the Village of Niles by the Ilg family. The Leaning Tower was rededicated by the Village of Niles on June 26, 1997 after it's restoration.
The Village expanded by annexing an unincorporated area that became Golf Mill Shopping Center, dedicated in 1959. Niles has continued to progress within the community, with a new Village Administration Building, a new Family Fitness and Senior Center, expansion of the Library, and the Niles Middle school (known as Culver).
Economic Development
With nearly four million square feet of retail space, the Village of Niles continues to be a major hub of retail activity, ranking 14th in the State of Illinois and 6th in the Chicagoland market for retail sales. The Village of Niles is home to national retailers such as Super H Mart, Best Buy, Kohl’s, Sears, J C Penny, Costco, Dicks Sporting Goods, Sports Authority, Toys R Us, two Home Depot Home Centers, two Target stores, two Wal-Mart stores, plus numerous smaller commercial establishments totaling over 1300 businesses.
Over the last decade the Village has seen the addition of well over 340,000 square feet of new retail space. In May of 2005, the Village of Niles welcomed a 54,000 square foot Value City Furniture Store as the fifth major anchor at the Golf Mill Mall, and the addition of a 12 screen Kerasotes Showplace Theater . Under construction currently is the remodeling of Golf Mill Mall and J C Penney and the addition of the Elephant Bar Restaurant, all due to be completed by early Fall. In addition, Target Stores is scheduling an expansion of the Golf Mill location in 2008. In October of 2006, the Village of Niles welcomed a second Wal-Mart store located just within walking distance to the Golf Mill Mall.
Much of the successful development and redevelopment projects Niles has enjoyed during the past several years can be attributed to the Village’s proactive approach to maintaining and improving the quality of its commercial base. During the coming years, the Village of Niles will build upon these successes by continuing efforts to strengthen the city’s economic base.
Learn more about this city
City of NILES, IL official site
City of NILES, IL general information
City of NILES, IL yellow pages
City of NILES, IL newspaper
County of COOK, IL official site