Riverton, MN
The area lakes, streams, and reclaimed mine-lake fishing makes Riverton a unique small town on the west end of the principal mining area. Sagamore Mine Lake is stocked with Brook and Rainbow trout and is a favorite diving destination. The Mississippi River runs near Riverton as well and there is an access. Some of the finest fishing available in the state is hidden among the channels and backwaters from here to Brainerd.

HistoryThe first known inhabitants of the area which was to become Riverton were the Sioux Indians, dating back to the 1700's. Between the years of 1821 and 1885 a band of Ojibwe, under the leadership of Chief Wabose, or Rabbit, came to the area and expanded their settlements. Tribal rivalries meant that the threat of conflict among the Sioux and Ojibwe was nearly always present.

The area surrounding Riverton became active in fur trading, hunting, logging, and prospecting. The Riverton School District got its start in a one room split log building in 1897. Situated on the east shore of Little Rabbit lake, Riverton was platted by the Riverton Townsite Company, with Daniel Waite listed as president and Will C. Brown as secretary. Brown was one of the first to establish residence in Riverton.

The town got a big boost in 1913 when the Williams-Carlson Ore company starting stripping the Rowe mine property for iron ore. Businesses followed soon after to service the needs of people settling in the town, most of whom were working in the mining industry. Riverton's population grew to 780 by 1913.

By 1918 a modern brick structure designed to house grades one through twelve served the area until it was consolidated into the Crosby-Ironton School District in 1970. The school was closed but later used for several years as a junior high while a new high school was built in Crosby. Closed for good in 1976, the building was eventually taken down in 2003.

Riverton, which had literally sprung up from nowhere and had shown rapid growth, fell victim to the closing of mines and the Depression in 1929. As people had to find jobs in nearby communities, or leave the area altogether, the population dropped to less than 300 by the 1930's.

Today Riverton has a population that hovers in the 115-120 range and its residents earn their livelihood in neighboring communities. Riverton is made up largely of people who have been attracted to a small, clean, peaceful nature setting and who want to preserve that small town friendly atmosphere.

*information taken from Riverton History by Al Gerval; written by Riverton resident David Peterson.