During the American Revolutionary War, the fort was held for a short time by a Spanish force.

The occupation of the fort by the four nations of France, Britain, Spain, and the United States has earned Niles the nickname City of Four Flags.

Between 1820 and 1865, Niles was an integral part of the Underground Railroad, helping slaves escape from as far south as New Orleans through the Heartland, and eventually into Canada.

The Riverfront Park in Niles stretches about a mile and a half of the St. Joseph River.

The Saint Joseph River Park, parts of which are now being excavated by archeologists, is south of the French Paper Mill Factory Dam.

Archaeologists from Western Michigan University have uncovered numerous artifacts at this location.

In the summer they host an "Open House" that allows patrons to visit the dig site, see displays of some of the artifacts, and also see demonstrations of historical reenactments.

In 2003, the City of Niles was awarded a MEDC Community Development Block Grant which, together with private and city funds, allowed for the removal of aluminum fronts from two blocks on Main St.

Niles is located on the northern end of the Indiana-Michigan River Valley Trail, a system of interconnected multi-use trails connecting the cities of Mishawaka, Indiana, South Bend, and Niles.

[14] The two rail lines currently serving Niles are Amtrak's Blue Water and Wolverine services.

The Blue Water line runs between Chicago and Port Huron, by way of East Lansing and Flint.

The Wolverine line runs between Chicago and Pontiac, by way of Jackson, Ann Arbor and Detroit.

The final line through Niles was the southeast–northwest Benton Harbor Branch of the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago and St. Louis Railway (also known as the Big Four), originally opened by the Elkhart, Niles and Lake Michigan Railroad in 1881.

[15] The Amtrak station is located along the main line east of the former Benton Harbor Branch crossing and west of the former junctions with the South Bend and Air Line Branches.

Amtrak uses the old Michigan Central station; the current structure was built in 1892 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

[16] Scenes in films such as Continental Divide, Midnight Run and Only the Lonely were shot here.

Baggage cannot be checked at this location; however, up to two suitcases in addition to any "personal items" such as briefcases, purses, laptop bags, and infant equipment are allowed on board as carry-ons.

It is run by Niles City Council and operated under contract by McDonald Transit.

The school district also hosts the Brandywine Innovation Academy, an alternative education center.