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Niles, OH

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Niles, OH

Niles is a city in southern Trumbull County, Ohio, United States, situated at the confluence of the Mahoning River and Mosquito Creek. The city's population was 18,443 at the 2020 census. It is a suburb of the Youngstown–Warren metropolitan area.

Niles is best known as the birthplace of William McKinley, the 25th President of the United States. Located in the nation's former industrial belt, the city's economy focused initially on iron manufacturing but later diversified to include steel and glass production. After the decline of the manufacturing sector throughout the northern United States in the 1970s, Niles has adapted to become a retail hub for the northern Mahoning Valley, with development centered around the Eastwood Mall complex and along the U.S. Route 422 corridor. The Mahoning Valley Scrappers, an MLB Draft League affiliate, play at Eastwood Field in Niles.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 8.63 square miles (22.35 km²), of which 8.61 square miles (22.30 km²) is land and 0.02 square miles (0.05 km²) is water.

Niles was founded in 1806 by James Heaton, who owned one of the first iron-ore processing plants in Ohio. The town originally went by the name of Heaton's Furnace but was later renamed Nilestown, after Hezekiah Niles (editor of the Niles Register, a Baltimore newspaper). In 1843, the name was shortened to Niles. In the early 19th century, Heaton built a forge and, later, a charcoal blast furnace in the area just east of what is now the city's central park, on the west side of Mosquito Creek. Heaton is credited with producing the first bar iron in Ohio.

Niles' iron industry thrived until the late 19th century when the economic depression of 1873 brought about the closure of the community's largest industrial firm, James Ward and Company. Plans to restore the local iron industry floundered because of the exorbitant cost of modernizing outdated mills. By the early 1900s, however, Niles was the site of companies including Ohio Galvanizing, Sykes Metal, the Niles Glass Works of the General Electric Company, and the Niles Iron and Steel Roofing Company. Between 1900 and 1920, the city's population swelled from 7,468 to slightly over 13,000. The community's efforts to rebuild its industry suffered a temporary setback in the 1910s. Niles was one of many cities affected by statewide floods that struck in the spring of 1913. On Easter Sunday, March 23, 1913, heavy rain throughout Ohio, combined with ice and snow that was still on the ground, precipitated massive flooding. Flooding of the Mahoning River left extensive damage and numerous casualties in Niles. Damage exceeded $3 million, and 428 people were confirmed dead.

Throughout much of the late 19th and 20th century, Niles was known to most Ohioans as the birthplace of William McKinley, the 25th President of the United States. McKinley was born in Niles on January 29, 1843. He attended Niles High School (and the city's high school would eventually be renamed Niles McKinley High School, though McKinley eventually graduated from high school in Poland, Ohio). President McKinley's assassination in 1901 shocked the nation and particularly saddened residents of northeastern Ohio. In 1915, Youngstown industrialist Joseph G. Butler, Jr., a childhood friend of President McKinley, campaigned for the construction of the National McKinley Birthplace Memorial in downtown Niles. The facility currently houses the community's library as well as a small museum.

Niles places a strong emphasis on health and wellness, with several healthcare facilities and recreational amenities available to residents. The city is home to the Mercy Health - St. Joseph Warren Hospital, which offers comprehensive medical services to patients. Explore the parks, facilities, and programs the Niles Parks and Recreation Department offers. These spaces provide opportunities for outdoor activities such as walking, jogging, sports, and picnicking. Join local fitness centers and gyms to participate in exercise programs, fitness classes, and strength training. Some popular options include Steeltown Athletics, ONYX Niles, and Fitness 330. Discover the walking and biking trails in and around Niles, such as the Niles Greenway and Price Field. These trails offer opportunities for outdoor exercise and enjoyment of nature.

Top sites in Niles, OH are the Niles Historical Society, National McKinley Birthplace Memorial Museum, and McKinley Birthplace Home and Research Center.

Population: 18,256 (2023). ZIP code: 44446. Area codes: 330, 234. Elevation: 883 ft (269 m). Area: 8.60 sq mi (22.28 km²).

FAQs

What is Niles, OH famous for?

Throughout much of the late 19th and 20th century, Niles was known to most Ohioans as the birthplace of William McKinley, the 25th President of the United States. McKinley was born in Niles on January 29, 1843. He attended Niles High School (and the city's high school would eventually be renamed Niles McKinley High School, though McKinley eventually graduated from high school in Poland, Ohio).

Who was Niles, OH named after?

Although Ruben Harmon was the first permanent settler in the area, James Heaton received the credit for being the founder of Niles. Niles was first known as Heaton’s Furnace, which he later changed to Nilestown in honor of Hezekiah Niles, editor of the Niles Register – a Baltimore newspaper. In 1843, the name was shortened to Niles.

Is Niles, OH a good place to live?

Living in Niles offers residents a dense suburban feel and most residents own their homes. Many retirees live in Niles and residents tend to lean conservative. The public schools in Niles are above average.

Sources

Wikipedia

City of Niles

Mercy Health - St. Joseph Warren Hospital

Niles Parks and Recreation Department 

Steeltown Athletics

ONYX Niles 

Fitness 330

Niles Greenway 

Price Field

Niles Historical Society

National McKinley Birthplace Memorial Museum

McKinley Birthplace Home and Research Center.

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