Niles in Berrien County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Fort St. Joseph

Photographed by M. Bowyer, July 10, 2007

1. Fort St. Joseph Marker

Inscription.
The French fort built here in 1691 controlled southern Michigan’s principal Indian trade routes. Missionaries and fur traders were here already. The fort became a British outpost in 1761. Two years later it was one of the forts seized by Indians during the uprising of Chief Pontiac. Still later, traders made it their headquarters. In 1781 Spanish raiders ran up the flag of Spain at the fort for a few hours.

Erected 1957. (Marker Number S4.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Military • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1691.

Location. 41° 48.763′ N, 86° 15.688′ W. Marker is in Niles, Michigan, in Berrien County. It is on South Bond St. near Fort Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Niles MI 49120, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southwest Michigan

and specifically in one of the Lake Michigan Shore counties. It is also in the American Midwest

and on

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Father Claude Jean Allouez S. J. (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Niles Community (approx. 0.4 miles away); Ring Lardner (approx. ¾ mile away); Saint Mary’s (approx. 0.9 miles away); PA-WA-TING (approx. one mile away); Trinity Church (approx. 1.1 miles away); Wesley United Methodist Church (approx. 1.2 miles away); Parrott Civil War Cannon (approx. 1.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Niles.

Also see . . . Fort St. Joseph Museum. Niles website entry (Submitted on April 1, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

Fort St. Joseph Inscription image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Trevor L Whited, July 11, 2022

2. Fort St. Joseph Inscription

Inscribed "Fort St Joseph 1691 - 1761" image. Click for full size.

Photographed by M. Bowyer, July 10, 2007

3. Inscribed "Fort St Joseph 1691 - 1761"

Photographed by M. Bowyer, July 10, 2007

4. Inscribed "Fort St Joseph 1691 - 1761"

The Fort St Joseph Museum is located behind the City Hall in Niles, MI. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by M. Bowyer, July 10, 2007

5. The Fort St Joseph Museum is located behind the City Hall in Niles, MI.

Stone benches next to the inscribed stone image. Click for full size.

Photographed by M. Bowyer, July 10, 2007

6. Stone benches next to the inscribed stone

The top step said "Dedicated Jul XXXX (couldn't read the date - was very worn down). image. Click for full size.

Photographed by M. Bowyer, July 10, 2007

7. The top step said "Dedicated Jul XXXX (couldn't read the date - was very worn down).

Credits. This page was last revised on July 10, 2022. It was originally submitted on July 11, 2007, by M. Bowyer of Indianapolis, Indiana. This page has been viewed 2,881 times since then and 60 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on July 11, 2007, by M. Bowyer of Indianapolis, Indiana. 2. submitted on July 10, 2022, by Trevor L Whited of Kokomo, Indiana. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on July 11, 2007, by M. Bowyer of Indianapolis, Indiana. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.