Essanay-West Niles, California was one of the Essanay Studios branches. Essanay Studios started its company in Chicago but then later moved west to locations in Santa Barbra, San Rafel and Niles. Essanay Studios was started in 1907 in Chicago, Illinois. They decided to head west to avoid the harsh winter in Chicago. On their journey they filmed to over 200 films before landing in Niles, Ca. When they decided to choose Niles for a western home Gilbert M. Anderson decided to connect with the community to get there approval. Hey got there approval after collecting $100 for the barn that would start the establishment of Essanay - West. After getting approved to make Niles a home, they started to plan the cost of there state-of-the-art studio....... you can find more information at

http://www.nilesfilmmuseum.org/S&A_story.htm

Kiehn, David. "A SHORT HISTORY OF ESSANAY FILM COMPANY INNILES." ESSANAY COMES TO NILES. David Kiehn NESFM, 1999. Web. 15 Mar. 2014.

http://essanaystudios.org/history/our-history/

"Historical Background | Essanay Studios - Official Website." Essanay Studios Official Website. Essanay Centers, n.d. Web. 15 Mar. 2014.