Harry Stevens was a Niles resident who emigrated from London in 1892. He is credited as having invented the hot dog during a very lucrative career in concessions. While supplying soft drinks and ice cream for the New York Giants, he came to the realization that many of his customers lacked desire for ice cream during cooler temperatures, and began selling sausages. Though he is not the first to place a sausage on a roll, it was his addition of mustard and pickles that made the hot dog a hit. He is also credited with inventing the baseball scorecard. With the success of the hot dog and his other concessions, Steven’s was able to amass a million-dollar fortune, an impressive feat in the early 1900’s. Of course, success hadn’t been certain for him. He started from humble beginnings working first as an iron puddler and then as a book salesman. Steven’s exemplifies the persistence and entrepreneurial spirit that allowed so many people from diverse backgrounds to secure for themselves a piece of the American dream. Stevens died May 3, 1934 and is buried in the Niles Union cemetery. In 1936 the Steven’s family donated the land to create Steven’s park in his memory. In early July of each year the city of Niles now celebrates Harry Stevens hot dog day.