What's In A Name? Examining Other Famous Niles

To celebrate the anniversary of Niles Patch, we're taking a look at all the other Niles.

Niles, Michigan 

This town of 12,000 in southwestern Michigan comes up fifth when you Google "niles," whereas Niles, IL, comes up first. (Yesss!) It claims to be the oldest community in Michigan, dating back 300 years. OK, it wins that round. Our Niles incorporated in 1899.

Niles on "Frasier" 

David Hyde Pierce played this opera-loving, wine-drinking Jungian psychiatrist, who is the brother to Frasier Crane (Kelsey Grammer) and son to Martin Crane (John Mahoney) on the TV show Frasier. But while Niles Crane both admired and competed with his brother, Niles, IL, pays more attention to sisters--as in its four Sister Cities (Napflion, Greece; Leixlip, Ireland; Pisa, Italy and Limanowa, Poland).  Could this be sibling rivalry, Dr. Crane?

Niles, Ohio

This city of 20,000 in northeastern Ohio got rolling in the early 1800s, and has dabbled in iron ore, steel and manufacturing. But can it claim Polish delis, Korean fish markets and a Bollywood cinema?  We think not. 

The Nile

OK, the world's longest river has the pyramids for scenery.  But we're not too shabby; we have the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

Denials

"I'm sure I can still get into these jeans."

"Of course I'm a natural blonde."

"You don't look a day over 30."

Or how about, "Oh, sure you can zip down Milwaukee Avenue at rush hour." 

Niles, California

Started in the 1850s, Niles was where Essanay studio (which, coincidentally, also had a Chicago location) was making Charlie Chaplin and Wallace Beery movies by 1913. Niles Canyon was also a favorite place to film cowboy adventures and Westerns.  But Niles and other towns incorporated into Fremont in 1956, and today Niles exists as a historic shopping district. Shopping? Does that sound familiar?