Located approximately 110 kilometres (68 mi) north of Winnipeg, the community held village status prior to January 1, 2015.[2]
Riverton is a descriptive which replaced the earlier name, Icelandic River, which it took from the river that bisects the community.[3][2]
History
Known originally as Lundi (Icelandic for 'grove of trees'),[4] the community was later renamed Icelandic River for the river that bisects it.[2] The river got its name as it marked the northern border of New Iceland.[5]
In 1910, the Canadian Pacific Railway (Winnipeg Beach subdivision) was extended to the community of Arborg, followed in 1914 by Lundi, whose name was changed to Riverton with the coming of the railway.[4][6] The CPR's train conductor is reputed to have named the community.
With the railway came another influx of population growth. On February 1, 1926, the Unincorporated Village District of Riverton was created on February 1, 1926,[6] followed by its incorporation as a village on December 31, 1951.[2]
Riverton was the closest community to the point of maximum totality for the solar eclipse of February 26, 1979. This total solar eclipse was part of Saros cycle 120, Series 59. Riverton hosted astronomers and eclipse chasers from across the world, providing free rooms to many of the visitors.
Demographics
In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Riverton had a population of 475 living in 215 of its 254 total private dwellings, a change of -11.7% from its 2016 population of 538. With a land area of 1.19 km2 (0.46 sq mi), it had a population density of 399.2/km2 (1,033.8/sq mi) in 2021.[7]
Industry and recreation
The main economy is fishing. The Freshwater Fish Marketing Corporation operates a fish-packing factory on the banks of the Icelandic River, which passes through the centre of Riverton. Other industries include agriculture and the service sector, with manufacturing being done by ECB (Erosion Control Blanket) a distant third. Being in a unique position on the west shore of Lake Winnipeg, Riverton services the northern communities via a winter road. It is on the way to Hecla-Grindstone Provincial Park and many people from Winnipeg stop in or pass by the community on the way to cottage country each summer.
