NILES — It’s not every day that one gets the opportunity to step into the past.

But thanks to the Niles History Center’s walking tours, people will be able to do just that, visiting a time when horse and buggies clattered across the Main Street Bridge, when people browsed the shelves of Montgomery Ward or sipped cold sodas at the original Paris Soda Shop.

Assistant Director of the Niles History Center Mollie Kruck Watson, said she has been itching to create a Niles walking tour for some time.

“We really wanted it to be an overview of the downtown’s historic district,” Watson said.

The walking tours are free and open to the public and take place at 10 a.m. on the first Friday of the month through September, weather permitting. Those interested should meet at the Fort St. Joseph History Center. The tour lasts about an hour to an hour and a half and will proceed through the downtown to the Main Street bridge and back. Participants should wear walking shoes and sunscreen and bring a water bottle.

“They are a lot of fun,” Watson said. “We talk about a little bit of everything.”

Participants will get to immerse themselves in the history of some of Niles’ most formative businesses, like Kawneer, and study the unique architecture that makes up many of the buildings’ designs. Information will discuss history from the mid-1800s to present day. Participants will learn about the importance of the St. Joseph River, as well as learn about some of Niles’ earliest businesses. They will also drop by the former Four Flags Hotel to learn about some of the famous people who visited the establishment, including Eleanor Roosevelt. With so many stories to tell, Watson said the downtown is rife with interesting facts for people to learn.

“There’s a lot of history down there, of course,” Watson said. “We talk a lot about the development of the community and a lot of the early business and the village of Niles centered around this location.”

Those who attend are also invited to share their own memories of the downtown. For Watson, this is one of the best parts of the tour.

“I love hearing people’s memories of the buildings downtown and the businesses that used to be there,” Watson said. “I also love to show historic photos. So, we have a lot of historic photos that go along with the tour, too.”

The first tour took place July 6 and drew about 15 people to participate.

“We had a great group of people. A lot of people shared memories,” Watson said. “We had a really good time.”

The tours are something Watson hopes to continue in the years to come. She also hopes to create different tours, each with a theme, such as architecture or restaurants.

With so many new businesses filling out the downtown, Watson said she would be remiss if they did not also discuss the new developments in Niles downtown.

“Because our mission here at the Niles History Center is to connect the past, present and future, we also talk about what’s going on now. People were really interested in the planters this year. There are some great businesses in the downtown and of course, we want to highlight those as well.”

With the tour ending right around lunch time, Watson said they encourage tourists to visit a local restaurant for lunch.

The next history walks will take place at 10 a.m. on Aug. 3 and Sept. 7.

With the hope that Niles residents will be able to get a new perspective on their downtown, Watson encouraged them to take part in a tour.

“It’s a huge part of the history of the area and it kind of helps us with our identity of Niles as a community when you remember your history,” Watson said. “I think it’s really unique that we have so many historic features still visible downtown, too.”