Niles, Michigan is a small city located in Berrien County, just south of the Michigan-Indiana border. It is known as the “City of Four Flags” due to its unique history and its connection to four different nations. And it is a place that I call home. So many people ask why is Niles the City of Four Flags. This article will explore why Niles is called the City of Four Flags and how this nickname came to be.
History of Niles
Niles was first settled in 1827 by a group of pioneers from New York and Ohio. The settlement was initially known as “The Rapids” because of its location on the St. Joseph River, which provided water power for mills and other businesses. In 1829, the settlement was renamed Niles after Hezekiah Niles, an editor of a Baltimore newspaper who had written favorably about the area.
In 1832, Niles officially became part of Michigan Territory when it was organized by Congress. This made it part of the United States for the first time in its history. However, prior to this, it had been part of three different nations: France, Britain, and Native American tribes such as the Potawatomi and Ottawa people. This makes Niles one of only a few cities in America that has been under four flags: French, British, American and Native American.
The French Flag: 1679-1763
The first flag to fly over what is now known as Niles was that of France in 1679 when explorer La Salle claimed much of the Great Lakes region for France during his expedition into North America. The French flag remained until 1763 when France ceded its claims in North America to Britain following their defeat in the Seven Years War (also known as The French & Indian War).
The British Flag: 1763-1783
With France’s cession to Britain in 1763 came a new flag over what would become Niles – that of Britain’s Union Jack. The British held control over this region until 1783 when they were forced to recognize American independence following their defeat in the Revolutionary War (also known as The American War for Independence).
The American Flag: 1783-1832
With Britain’s recognition of American independence came yet another flag – that of America’s Stars & Stripes – which flew over what would become Niles from 1783 until 1832 when Michigan Territory was organized by Congress and it officially became part of the United States for the first time in its history.
Native American Flag: Pre-1679 – 1832
Finally, before any European nation had laid claim to this region there were already people living here – Native Americans such as Potawatomi and Ottawa people who had lived here long before Europeans arrived on these shores. These native peoples did not have a physical flag but they did have their own culture and traditions which they brought with them wherever they went – including what would eventually become known as Niles, Michigan.
So there you have it – why is Niles called “The City Of Four Flags?” Because it has been under four different flags throughout its history: French (1679-1763), British (1763-1783), American (1783-1832), and Native American (pre-1679 -1832). It is this unique history that makes Niles so special and gives it its nickname “The City Of Four Flags” and I am happy to call it home.