Founding
James Heaton and Niles, Ohio
Niles, Ohio was founded by James Heaton in 1806. He and his brothers had ties in the Poland area, after having what is known as the first blast furnace in the area. After severing ties with his brother, he relocated to the Niles area. He constructed a few mills, including a grist and saw mill. In 1812, he also built a blast furnace in order to generate iron for his forge. He later sold everything to his son’s company. Heaton built his own home on Robbins Avenue, but it was later torn down.
James Ward Sr. helped Niles achieve growth, in which it was expanding. From the 1840s to the 1870s, he assisted with bringing in more people and making a very industrialized city. The city had mills, houses, and railroads developing throughout this time. Ward’s sons took over his company, after he was killed in 1864. However, the company met its demise in 1873 and 1874 during a depression. Niles took a very big hit from their closure, as many people had invested in the company which had owned a lot of the manufacturing and business of Niles. The cities mills were being bought by other companies and Niles started to experience some more growth. However, this growth stopped after some of the mills were shut down during a recession in 1898.
In the 1890s, bigger companies like United States Steel wanted to buy the smaller mills. This led to the closing of many other mills in the area. By the 1900s, there was just under 7,500 people in Niles. This number would continue to rise throughout the 1900s. By 1920, there was approximately 13,000 people in Niles. Other events during the 1900s can be seen in the chart below.
James Ward Sr. helped Niles achieve growth, in which it was expanding. From the 1840s to the 1870s, he assisted with bringing in more people and making a very industrialized city. The city had mills, houses, and railroads developing throughout this time. Ward’s sons took over his company, after he was killed in 1864. However, the company met its demise in 1873 and 1874 during a depression. Niles took a very big hit from their closure, as many people had invested in the company which had owned a lot of the manufacturing and business of Niles. The cities mills were being bought by other companies and Niles started to experience some more growth. However, this growth stopped after some of the mills were shut down during a recession in 1898.
In the 1890s, bigger companies like United States Steel wanted to buy the smaller mills. This led to the closing of many other mills in the area. By the 1900s, there was just under 7,500 people in Niles. This number would continue to rise throughout the 1900s. By 1920, there was approximately 13,000 people in Niles. Other events during the 1900s can be seen in the chart below.
President William McKinley
Niles, Ohio was also the birthplace of the 25th President of the United States, William McKinley. He was born in 1843, and he would later be murdered in 1901.
Trains
Nile's History: The 1900s
Significant Changes
There is still the use of Steel Mills in Niles, Ohio. However they are not used as much as they were during James Heaton's time. There has also been reduced usage of trains in Niles, with the development of modern day transportation (cars, buses). The Eastwood Mall continues to attract many people to its many stores and restaurants, since it has been built in 1969.