2014 Map of Niles East

About this map

Niles and North Niles sit at the western edge of this 2014 survey, where the urban grid meets the agricultural landscape of the Michigan-Indiana border. The Dowagiac River cuts through the northwest corner, while the eastern half of the sheet is defined by glacial features like Barron Lake and Mudd Lake. This transition from the structured street plan of the city to the irregular drainage of the Mudd Lake Drain and Brandywine Creek illustrates the enduring influence of the local hydrology on development. Genealogists and local historians can find several established burial grounds scattered across the townships, including Springbrook Cemetery near the city center and the rural Smith Chapel Cemetery to the southeast. The presence of the Jerry Tyler Memorial Airport and the complex interchange near Brandywine Creek highlight the area's role as a regional transit hub.