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Photo with permission Warren Tribune
Chronicle.
Harry M. Stevens, former Niles resident, who gained international
fame as the inventor of the hot dog. |
Harry
M. Stevens, Niles’ most famous and prosperous businessman,
turned a hot sausage into a million-dollar fortune and gave the
world the hot dog.
Stevens was known throughout the world as a caterer but it was the
first hot dog sold at the New York Polo Grounds in 1900 that sealed
his fortune. Sausage had been sold in rolls before that time, but
the hot roll and mustard and pickle were Stevens’ own idea.
The delicacy became popular immediately and quickly developed into
an American tradition.
A little less known than the hot dog was Stevens’ business
operations with double-jointed peanuts. Stevens was known as “The
man who parlayed a bag of peanuts into a million dollars.”
The businessman leased many acres of land in Virginia where he grew
peanuts and shipped them to New York by the carload.
Born in London, July 14, 1855, Stevens came to this country in 1892
and settled in Niles where his wife had friends. After working as
an iron puddler and book salesman, he hit upon what turned out to
be his life career. The idea came as he sat watching a baseball
game. Stevens noticed the scorecards were amateurish and contained
no advertising. Soon he obtained the concession for selling scorecards
at a Columbus ball park and quickly lined up advertising, then expanded
into other ball parks and selling refreshments as his next step.
Stevens’ promotions of the hot dog and other ventures brought
him an international reputation. He returned to Niles many times
during his lifetime. He died May 3, 1934, and is buried in Niles'
Union Cemetery.
This article appeared in the 1984 Sesquicentennial Edition of the
Niles Daily Times and was written by: Gene Antonio.
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PO1.1210
The Harry M. Stevens home, 1210 Robbins
Avenue and Crandon, as it appears today.
It is still occupied. |

PO1.1636
The Stevens home, 1210 Robbins Avenue
and Crandon, as it appeared in the 1980s. |

Photo with permission: Warren Tribune
Chronicle.
When the Stevens family lived in Niles, the home
was a focal point of daily life. This photo shows Harry M. Stevens,
right, entertaining friends with a touring car of that era waiting
to transport anyone needing a ride. |
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Photo with permission: Warren Tribune
Chronicle
The Stevens Family Official Portrait is the title
given to this photo. Seated, left to right, were: Harry M. Stevens,
Mary Wragg Stevens (Mrs. Harry) and Harold Arthur Stevens.
Standing, left to right, were: William Henry Stevens, Sr., Annie
Stevens Rose, Frank Mozely Stevens and Joseph Benson Stevens,
Sr. |

Photo with permission: Warren Tribune Chronicle
In their younger days these members of the Stevens
family posed for the photographer. Standing, left to right, were:
William H. Stevens Sr., Joseph B. Stevens, Sr. and Frank M.
Stevens. Seated, left to right, were: Harry M. Stevens
and Harold A. Stevens.
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Photo with permission: Warren Tribune Chronicle
Grandfather Stevens, Harry M. Stevens,
founder of the company bearing his name, is pictured here with
his grandson, Dr. Harry M. Rose.
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Photo with permission Warren Tribune Chronicle.
The Stevens family members had their
photograph taken in the flower garden of the family home in Niles,
Ohio. Standing, left, is Annie Stevens Rose, Standing,
right, is Harry M. Stevens. Seated, left to right, are:
Mary Stevens (Harry’s wife), Joseph B. Stevens
Jr. and William H. Stevens Sr.
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PO9.207
During the 1984 Sesquicentennial Celebration,
a memorial plaque was dedicated in Stevens Park.

PO1.1079
The Stevens Youth Cabin was built
in 1948 to commemorate their contributions to the City of Niles,
especially the land that was donated for Stevens Park in 1936 by
the Steven's Family.
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PO9.379
Plaque at the entrance to Stevens
Park honoring Harry Mozley Stevens.
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PO9.305
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The
article from the New York Clipper, which told the
story of Harry Stevens, was printed as a poster as part of the 1984
Ohio Sesquicentennial celebration.
Mr. Clare Westenfield, who
championed the creation of The Niles Historical Society, is on the
far left.
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Photo with permission Warren Tribune Chronicle.
Harry Mozely Stevens
1855 — 1934 |
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