Riverton, South Australia

Infobox Australian Place | type = town
name = Riverton
state = sa


caption =
lga = District Council of Clare and Gilbert Valleys
postcode =
pop = 723 (2006)
est = 1856
region = Mid North
mayor = Allan Aughey
elevation=
maxtemp =
mintemp =
rainfall =
stategov = Frome
fedgov = Wakefield
dist1 = 94
dir1 = north
location1= Adelaide
dist2 = 62
location2= Burra
dir2 = south
dist3 = 52
dir3 = north
location3= Gawler

Riverton (coord|34|09|S|138|44|E|region:AU-SA_type:city) is a small town of distinctive character and interest to travellers in the Mid North of South Australia, in the Gilbert Valley. It is situated on the Gilbert River, from which the town derives its name. Riverton was first settled in 1856, as a settlement along the bullock track from the mining town of Burra to the capital city Adelaide. It grew from a plan designed by a James Masters who had established the nearby town of Saddleworth.Citation
last1 = Burrows | first1 = Mary
last2 = | first2 =
last3 = | first3 =
title = Riverton - Heart of the Gilbert Valley
publisher = Riverton District Council
date = 1965
year =
isbn = ]

The streets of Riverton received their names chiefly from James Masters and his friends. They commemorate persons notable in the history of the district or the State.

Both the Gilbert Valley and Gilbert River were named after South Australian pioneer, Thomas Gilbert.

The First Storekeeper

The first storekeeper in the town, John Jubb Horner, was in Riverton many years before 1856, having come with James Masters in the early 1840s. His store, built in the early 1850s, was situated at the south end of the town. His store was the commercial emporium of Riverton, where the settlers would gather for social intercourse as well as business. This store was also the original Post Office, Telegraph Office, and Registry for Births Marriages and Deaths. The only other shop in the town in the early 1850s was owned by a shoemaker, a Mr. Payne.

The Riverton Hotel, originally known as the Riverton Arms, opened for business in 1855, although the building was not completed until 1857. This hotel, and the abovemention two shops, were the only business places in 1857.

Local Government was proclaimed in July 1866, the first Court House and Police Station were opened that same year, the new Post Office and the Community Hall were both built in 1874.

Minerals

In 1897, it was reported that miners were engaged in opening up a mineral show in the hills about 5 miles (8 km) east of Riverton, resulting in what appeared to be a permanent lode of copper and silver lead. Samples were sent for assaying and the results were promising, silver and lead definitely being present. However no developments took place, which indicates that the lode could not have been as extensive as appeared at first. Even by 1965, fossickers still gleaned a little from this mineral deposit.

The Railway

The transport problems for the Kapunda miners had been eased in 1860 when the railway reached there. The question was whether the line should continue from Kapunda northwards along the valley of the River Light to Burra, or whether another line should stretch northwards from Gawler through the Gilbert Valley. The authorities wisely decided on the second course because that would open up thousands of acres of good agricultural land and new towns would grow along the route.

It was a fortunate decision for Riverton. The railway was opened to Tarlee in 1868, Riverton on 20 December 1869 and Manoora in 1870.

Railway workshops were immediately set up in Riverton. This swelled the population and sharply increased trade generally in the town. However, the workshops closed in 1878.In 1918, the branch line to Clare was opened and later extended to Spalding. This branch made it necessary for more railway employees to live at Riverton. In 1965, there were 25 railway employees and their families living in Riverton.

Riverton station was the scene of the only political assassination in Australian history in 1921. A passenger who was travelling on the Broken Hill Express from Adelaide fired a number of shots into the dining room and Percy Brookfield, a Member of Parliament for Broken Hill, was shot and killed when he tried to disarm the gunman. [ [http://www.smh.com.au/news/South-Australia/Riverton/2005/02/17/1108500204660.html The Sydney Morning Herald Travel "Retrieved 10.10.2008"] ]

The station buildings were astonishingly massive — the finest outside Adelaide. The Refreshment Rooms were open for all passenger trains. At one time, passenger trains passing through Riverton had connections at Terowie to Broken Hill, Alice Springs and Perth. The Refreshment Rooms served a 3-course Dinner to East-West passengers and Breakfast to Broken Hill passengers. Additionally, refreshments were served to passengers on all other trains.

It now houses delightful tea-rooms, a gallery and bed and breakfast accommodation. You can also sleep in the tastefully converted old railway carriages. [ [http://www.about-australia.com/south-australia/clare-valley/destinations/kapunda-and-to-the-south/ Kapunda and to the South, South Australia "Retrieved 10.10.2008"] ]

The railways played a major part in the development of Riverton, both as a transport provider and as an employer.

Governance

Riverton is in the District Council of Clare and Gilbert Valleys local government area, the state electoral district of Frome and the federal Division of Wakefield.

Liberal politician Trish Worth was born in Riverton.

References