Riverton Real Estate
Present day Riverton is a thriving municipality with a promising future. Controlled growth in both its residential and commercial sectors coupled with an progressive school system make Riverton a excellent location to live and raise a family.
Founded in 1830, by a Springfield Physician. The Village was originally called Jamestown, then later Howlett in 1864, to finally be settled on Riverton in August of 1873. It was then that Riverton became incorporated into Sangamon County.
It is said that in late August 1876, Jesse James and his Gang stayed overnight in Riverton , Illinois . They stayed at a house on the south side of the railroad tracks. The gang was on their way to Northfield , Minnesota , where they robbed a bank on September 17, 1876. At this time the reward for Jesse, dead or alive, was $10,000.
From the 1870’s to the 1930’s, Riverton was a thriving village with 3 operating coal mines. The Villages population dipped with the closing of the mines but has steadily increased since then due to it’s close proximity to Springfield , the State capital.
The population of Riverton included a large Italian-American population which continues to this day. It is reported that Al Capone used Riverton as a hideout when the heat in Chicago was on him. For a genealogy of some of the Italian American families you can visit www.calascio.com.
