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

The Old Fifth Street Viaduct

1891 1977

Photographed by Trevor L Whited, July 4, 2023

1. The Old Fifth Street Viaduct Marker

Inscription. For more than 85 years, this limestone block helped support the Fifth Street Viaduct in Niles as its cornerstone. Built in 1891 by the Michigan Central Railroad, the viaduct was a steel truss bridge that served the public faithfully until it was razed in August, 1977. A classic example of 1890-era industrial design, the viaduct carried two lanes of traffic and a sidewalk across the main line tracks of the Michigan Central, later the New York Central, Penn Central and Amtrak. It was replaced by a grade level crossing, built by the Michigan Department of State Highways and Transportation. The replacement of the historic bridge culminated years of effort by the city of Niles.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Bridges & Viaducts. A significant historical year for this entry is 1891.

Location. 41° 49.758′ N, 86° 15.212′ W. Marker is in Niles, Michigan, in Berrien County. It is in Niles Charter Township. It can be reached from East Main Street. The marker sits on a limestone block behind the Fort St. Joseph Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 508 E Main St, 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 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: U.S.S. Maine Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); The Chapin House / Henry Austin Chapin (within shouting distance

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of this marker); Four Flags Hotel (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Wesley United Methodist Church (about 700 feet away); Trinity Church (about 700 feet away); Second Baptist Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Ferry Street School (approx. 0.2 miles away); John B. Reddick Building (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Niles.

Photographed by Trevor L Whited, July 4, 2023

2. The Old Fifth Street Viaduct Marker

Niles History Center image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Trevor L Whited, July 4, 2023

3. Niles History Center

Credits. This page was last revised on July 4, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 3, 2023, by Trevor L Whited of Kokomo, Indiana. This page has been viewed 708 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 3, 2023, by Trevor L Whited of Kokomo, Indiana. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.