Niles in Fremont in Alameda County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Essanay Film Studio
The Essanay company of 52 people led by movie star cowboy Gilbert M. “Broncho Billy” Anderson arrived in Niles in April 1912, attracted to this community by its favorable weather and Niles Canyon scenery.
Over 100 films were made from their headquarters in a barn on Second Street by the time the studio building was ready for occupancy the next year. In the next three years Essanay produced two hundred and fifty films here: Broncho Billy westerns, Snakeville Comedies, contemporary dramas and five by Charlie Chaplin, including The Tramp (1915).
The studio closed in 1916 due to a change in ownership and consolidation of production facilities at the main studio in Chicago. Nevertheless, the Niles studio was the most successful movie company in the San Francisco Bay Area during the silent era.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Entertainment. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1912.
Location. 37° 34.648′ N, 121° 58.883′ W. Marker is in Fremont, California, in Alameda County. It is in Niles. Marker is at the intersection of Niles Boulevard and G Street, on the right when traveling west on Niles Boulevard. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 37299 Niles Boulevard, Fremont CA 94536, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Essanay Studio Site (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); “The Bankers Building” (approx. 0.2 miles away); Vallejo Flour Mill (approx. ¼ mile away); Completion of the Transcontinental Railroad (approx. ¼ mile away); Site of First Post Office (approx. 0.3 miles away); Legendary Nursery Innovators (approx. half a mile away); Gardens, Orchards & Plants (approx. half a mile away); Buildings & Structures (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fremont.
Also see . . .
1. Essanay Studios. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on December 24, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. Broncho Billy Anderson. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on December 24, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
3. "Broncho Billy's Christmas Dinner". Silent film at You Tube. (Submitted on December 24, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 18, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 1,138 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 18, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. 3. submitted on December 24, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.