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Niles Township Population: 2000(13325) 1990(12828) Change(497)
Population: 12,828 (1990) Niles Township lies on the Indiana/Michigan stateline in southern Berrien County, Michigan. It is only minutes away from the Grape Road shopping district of Mishawaka, Indiana and the prominent University of Notre Dame just south of the state line. The township's area is taken up mostly by the historic city of Niles. Its history can be seen throughout the architecture of such buildings as the Fort St. Joseph Museum, the Niles Train Depot, or the Chapin Mansion, which now houses City Hall. The area was home to such notable folks as Ring Lardner, the Dodge Brothers and Montgomery Ward. South of Niles is Madeline Bertrand Park. It is one of the favorite parks in the area, offering various forms of recreations and nature programs. In the winter, it is a choice site for cross country skiing and has a warming shelter for it's patrons. Also south of Niles, just west of US 33 on Bell Road, is Fireman's Park. It is behind the Niles Township Fire Station and has some very nice ball diamonds, open areas, a playground and picnic shelters. Niles Township is also popular with boaters and fishermen. The mighty St. Joseph River along with the smaller Dowagiac River offer prime sites for fishing or canoe |