Riverton Historic District (Barkhamsted, Connecticut) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Riverton Historic District
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Riverton General Store
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 Location in Connecticut
Location in the United States
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| Location | Roughly bounded by Still and Farmington R and E. River Rd., Barkhamsted, Connecticut |
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| Area | 94 acres (38 ha) |
| Architect | Deming, George G.; Wetmore, Willard S. |
| Architectural style | Colonial, Early Republic |
| NRHP reference No. | 07000419 |
| Added to NRHP | May 15, 2007 |
The Riverton Historic District is a special area in Barkhamsted, Connecticut. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2007. This means it's a place with important history.
It includes most of the old village of Riverton from the 1800s. Back then, factories here used power from the Still River and the East Branch Farmington River. These rivers are in the northwest part of Barkhamsted.
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What to See in Riverton
When you visit Riverton, you can see many interesting places. These include the post office and the Riverton General Store. You can also find Sweetpea's Restaurant and Still River Antiques. The Greenwood Glass Blowing Studio and Gallery is also here. It's in an old building that used to be the Union Church. The Old Riverton Inn is another historic spot. It's so important it has its own listing on the National Register.
The Hitchcock Chair Company
Two famous places in Riverton were the Hitchcock Factory and the Sweet Shop. Both of these closed in 2006. But good news! The Hitchcock Chair Co. reopened in September 2011. It now has a store in the village again.
The Riverton Fair
Riverton is also home to the yearly Riverton Fair. This fun event happens every October. It is the very last fair of the year in Connecticut.
Riverton's Past: A Brief History
The town of Barkhamsted was first settled in the mid-1700s. People built small homes along the rivers and hills. The first house in what is now Riverton was built in 1789. William Moore, Sr., built it.
The Bridge and Village Growth
In 1790, a bridge was built over the East Branch Farmington River. This bridge was very important. It was the only way to cross the river for many miles. This helped the village grow quickly. The Old Riverton Inn was built in 1811. It still stands right across from the eastern end of the bridge.
Riverton's Industrial Start
During the 1800s, Riverton became a small center for factories. These factories mostly used power from the rivers. One of the most famous factories made chairs. It was owned by Lambert Hitchcock.
