Riverton, Nova Scotia
Riverton Geography
- Official Community Name: Riverton
- Gaelic Name: Bràigh Na h-Aibhneadh
- Geographic Feature Type Category: Populated Place
- Geographic Feature Type: Community
- Latitude / Longitude: 45.528316, -62.674158
Riverton Maps
- 1:50k Topographic NTS Map: 011E10
- 1879 Pictou County Atlas Map: Section 17 (north part)
- Nova Scotia Land Grant Map: NS Land Grant map 087
- Nova Scotia 1:10k Topographic Map: 1045500062600 (Stellarton)
- Other Maps:
About Riverton
Riverton is a rural community located along the west side of the East River between Stellarton and Eureka. Its name is related to its proximity to the river. Settlements along the East River started shortly after the arrival of the Ship Hector in 1773.
Alexander McKay first settled here in 1784, and Alexander Fraser in 1806.
The communities we know as Riverton and Plymouth was Originally one area and it was known as “Fish Pools” because of how splendid the trout fishing in the deep pools of the river was. The deepest one was near the big rock on the farm that became known to locals as Fish Pools Farm.
Around 1877, the population of the area started to swell, and it was decided that the area would split into 2 communities, one along each side of the river (Riverton and Plymouth).
A meeting was held to decide a suitable name for the community on the west side of the river. Many wanted to keep the name Fish Pools, but others thought it wouldn’t be fair, and that neither side should have that name. Some of the suggestions were Mill Town, River Town, and Millton (due to a mill operating in the area). Thomas Grant proposed Riverton, and after a vote was taken, the majority voted to have Riverton as the name of the community.
In his “East River Sketches” The Rev. Robert GRANT says: “In fertility of soil the East river will compare favorably with any part of Nova Scotia,” and along the banks of the river there is probably no district which will excel that of Riverton.
Pioneers, mostly sturdy Scotsmen who settled in Riverton were highly favored people, and took great pride in cultivating the land, setting a strong foundation for future generations. Their hard work and dedication to husbandry are evident in the well-maintained lands that their descendants now enjoy. Farms and Farmers of Pictou County by by R. H. Ward details some of the many farms and farmers in Riverton during between 1919 and 1922.
Like many small communities in Pictou County, Riverton once had a busy rail way station.
A school was established by William Fraser in 1820 and the County Home and Asylum was established here about 1885.
Population in 1956 was 270.
Dr. W.A. MacLeod Consolidated School was built in 1975.
Valley View Villa, a facility for the long-term care needs of an expanding population of seniors was opened in 1978.
There is a short good article that provides a brief historical overview of the settlement, it explores many of the the significant contributions of various families, such as the MacKays, Macintoshs, Camerons, and the Grants and how they helped shape the landscape of Riverton. Click here to read the History of Riverton online …
Using the crowd sourced Find a Grave app, you can search the Pictou County Asylum Cemetery or the Riverton Cemetery for names, details, photos, and more
[Source: Nova Scotia Place Names – T. Brown / Places of Nova Scotia – C. Bruce Fergusson / History of Riverton ]
1879 Riverton Map
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