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

Four Flags Hotel

Photographed by M. Bowyer, July 10, 2007

1. Four Flags Hotel Marker

Inscription. The Four Flags Hotel opened with much fanfare on July 6, 1926. The newly formed Niles Hotel Corporation had raised $350,000 to build a hotel on the site of the Pike House hostelry. Chicago architect Charles W. Nicol designed the hotel, which was touted as fireproof and modern. The hotel’s name was the first to recall the four nations that asserted sovereignty over the area: France, Great Britain, Spain and the United States. According to local legend, Al Capone stayed at the Four Flags.

Erected 1990 by the Bureau of History, Michigan Department of State. (Marker Number L1643.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical date for this entry is July 6, 1926.

Location. 41° 49.791′ N, 86° 15.285′ W. Marker is in Niles, Michigan, in Berrien County. It is on East Main Street (Business U.S. 12) near 4th Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 404 East Main Street, 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 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 5 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Chapin House / Henry Austin Chapin (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); U.S.S. Maine Memorial

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(about 300 feet away); The Old Fifth Street Viaduct (about 400 feet away); Wesley United Methodist Church (about 500 feet away); Trinity Church (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Niles.

The Four Flags Hotel (now efficiency apartments) and marker. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by M. Bowyer, July 10, 2007

2. The Four Flags Hotel (now efficiency apartments) and marker.

Front entrance of the Four Flags Hotel, next to the marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by M. Bowyer, July 10, 2007

3. Front entrance of the Four Flags Hotel, next to the marker

Cornerstone of the Four Flags Hotel image. Click for full size.

Photographed by M. Bowyer, July 10, 2007

4. Cornerstone of the Four Flags Hotel

The former Four Flags Hotel (side view) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by M. Bowyer, July 10, 2007

5. The former Four Flags Hotel (side view)

Credits. This page was last revised on November 25, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 11, 2007, by M. Bowyer of Indianapolis, Indiana. This page has been viewed 4,680 times since then and 118 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on July 11, 2007, by M. Bowyer of Indianapolis, Indiana. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.