Riverton is an
unincorporated community
An unincorporated area is a region that is not governed by a local municipal corporation. Widespread unincorporated communities and areas are a distinguishing feature of the United States and Canada. Most other countries of the world either have ...
in
Cherokee County, Kansas
Cherokee County (county code CK) is a U.S. county located in Southeast Kansas. As of the 2020 census, the county population was 19,362. Its county seat is Columbus, and its most populous city is Baxter Springs. The latter became the first "cow ...
, United States. As of the
2020 census, the population of the community and nearby areas was 771.
It is located at the junction of
K-66 (former
U.S. Route 66
U.S. Route 66 or U.S. Highway 66 (US 66 or Route 66) was one of the original highways in the United States Numbered Highway System. It was established on November 11, 1926, with road signs erected the following year. The h ...
) and
U.S. Route 69 Alternate and
U.S. Route 400
U.S. Route 400 (US 400) is a mostly east–west U.S. Highway, commissioned in 1994. The highway's western terminus is in Granada, Colorado, at an intersection with US 385. The highway's eastern terminus is southwest of Joplin, Missouri, ...
, near the
Spring River. It is one of only three communities in Kansas along former
U.S. Route 66
U.S. Route 66 or U.S. Highway 66 (US 66 or Route 66) was one of the original highways in the United States Numbered Highway System. It was established on November 11, 1926, with road signs erected the following year. The h ...
.
History
The first post office in Riverton was established in 1919.
Geography
Riverton is located in southeastern Cherokee County near the southeastern corner of Kansas. Along K-66,
Galena, Kansas, is to the east, and
Joplin, Missouri
Joplin is a city in Jasper and Newton counties in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of Missouri. The bulk of the city is in Jasper County, while the southern portion is in Newton County. Joplin is the largest city located within both Jas ...
, is to the east.
Pittsburg, Kansas, is to the north via US 400 and
US 69
U.S. Route 69 (US 69) is a major north–south United States highway. When it was first created, it was only long, but it has since been expanded into a Minnesota to Texas cross-country route. The highway's southern terminus (as well as ...
.
Baxter Springs, Kansas
Baxter Springs is a city in Cherokee County, Kansas, United States, and located along Spring River. As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 3,888.
History
For thousands of years, indigenous peoples had lived along the wate ...
, is to the southwest, and
Miami, Oklahoma
Miami ( ) is a city in and county seat of Ottawa County, Oklahoma, United States, founded in 1891. Lead and zinc mining were established by 1918, causing the area's economy to boom.
This area was part of Indian Territory. Miami is the capital of ...
, is to the southwest by US 69A.
The eastern and southern edges of the CDP ars formed by the Spring River, which flows south to the
Neosho River
The Neosho River is a tributary of the Arkansas River in eastern Kansas and northeastern Oklahoma in the United States. Its tributaries also drain portions of Missouri and Arkansas. The river is about long.U.S. Geological Survey. National ...
in Oklahoma. The CDP of
Lowell is to the south across the Spring River.
Demographics
For statistical purposes, the
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau (USCB), officially the Bureau of the Census, is a principal agency of the U.S. Federal Statistical System, responsible for producing data about the American people and economy. The Census Bureau is part of t ...
has defined Riverton as a
census-designated place
A census-designated place (CDP) is a Place (United States Census Bureau), concentration of population defined by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes only.
CDPs have been used in each decennial census since 1980 as the count ...
(CDP).
Area attractions
The famous
Rainbow Bridge, about west of town, was the site where in the year 2000, musician
Brad Paisley
Bradley Douglas Paisley (born October 28, 1972) is an American country music singer and songwriter. Starting with his 1999 debut album ''Who Needs Pictures'', he has released eleven studio albums and a Christmas compilation on the Arista Nashvil ...
performed the song
"(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66" for the
TLC
TLC may refer to:
Arts and entertainment Television
* ''TLC'' (TV series), a 2002 British situational comedy television series that aired on BBC2
* TLC (TV network), formerly the Learning Channel, an American cable TV network
** TLC (Asia), an A ...
special "Route 66: Main Street America".
The Eisler Brothers Country Store in Riverton was one of the stops on
Pixar
Pixar Animation Studios (commonly known as Pixar () and stylized as P I X A R) is an American computer animation studio known for its critically and commercially successful computer animated feature films. It is based in Emeryville, Californ ...
's US 66 research trips for the 2006 film
''Cars''. The filmmakers met with Dean Walker, then president of the Kansas
Route 66 Association, who is known to twist his feet backwards 180° and walk in reverse. He became one of many inspirations for the
Mater character, a rusty old
tow truck
A tow truck (also called a wrecker, a breakdown truck, recovery vehicle or a breakdown lorry) is a truck used to move disabled, improperly parked, impounded, or otherwise indisposed motor vehicles. This may involve recovering a vehicle damaged ...
who teaches
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, LLC (NASCAR) is an American auto racing sanctioning and operating company that is best known for stock car racing. The privately owned company was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1948, and ...
rookie
Lightning McQueen
Montgomery "Lightning" McQueen is a fictional anthropomorphic stock car who is the protagonist of the animated Pixar franchise '' Cars'', primarily voiced by actor Owen Wilson. His appearances include the feature films '' Cars'', ''Cars 2'', and ...
to drive in reverse.
The original boom truck is currently based at a restored
Kan-O-Tex Service Station in nearby Galena.
Gallery
Image:Eisler's in Riverton, KS.jpg, Eisler Brothers Country Store in Riverton, mentioned in the credits for the movie ''Cars''
Image:Rainbow Marsh Bridge.jpg, Rainbow Bridge near Riverton, 2008
See also
*
Rainbow Bridge (Kansas)
*
U.S. Route 66 in Kansas
References
Further reading
External links
USD 404 local school district
* Cherokee County maps
CurrentHistoric KDOT
{{Authority control
Census-designated places in Cherokee County, Kansas
U.S. Route 66 in Kansas
Census-designated places in Kansas