Riverton, Kansas

Riverton, Kansas
Census-designated place
Riverton

Location within the state of Kansas

Coordinates: 37°04′30″N 94°42′17″W / 37.07500°N 94.70472°WCoordinates: 37°04′30″N 94°42′17″W / 37.07500°N 94.70472°W
Country  United States
State  Kansas
County Cherokee
Area
 • Total 2.30 sq mi (5.95 km2)
 • Land 2.24 sq mi (5.81 km2)
 • Water 0.05 sq mi (0.14 km2)
Elevation 833 ft (254 m)
Population (2010)[1]
 • Total 929
 • Density 414/sq mi (159.8/km2)
Time zone Central (CST) (UTC-6)
 • Summer (DST) CDT (UTC-5)
Area code(s) 620
FIPS code 20-60200 [2]
GNIS feature ID 0469345 [2]

Riverton is an unincorporated community and census-designated place in Cherokee County, Kansas, United States. It is located at the junction of K-66 (former U.S. Route 66) and U.S. Route 69 Alternate and U.S. Route 400, near the Spring River. It is one of only three towns in Kansas along former U.S. Route 66. As of the 2010 census, the CDP population was 929.[1]

History

The first post office in Riverton was established in 1919.[3]

Geography

Riverton is located in southeastern Cherokee County near the southeastern corner of Kansas. Along K-66, Galena, Kansas, is 3.5 miles (5.6 km) to the east, and Joplin, Missouri, is 10 miles (16 km) to the east. Pittsburg, Kansas, is 23 miles (37 km) to the north via US 400 and US 69. Baxter Springs, Kansas, is 4.5 miles (7.2 km) to the southwest, and Miami, Oklahoma, is 20 miles (32 km) 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 in Oklahoma. The CDP of Lowell is to the south across the Spring River.

Area attractions

The famous Rainbow Bridge, about 2 miles (3 km) west of town, was the site where in the year 2000, musician Brad Paisley performed the song "(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66" for the TLC special "Route 66: Main Street America".

The Eisler Brothers Country Store in Riverton was one of the stops on Pixar'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 who teaches NASCAR rookie Lightning McQueen to drive in reverse.[4]

"As luck would have it, we had just eaten a sandwich at the Eisler Brothers when we met Dean, He was proud as punch to show them his exorcist feet and regale them with stories of the Ghost Light."
—Michael Wallis[4]

The original boom truck is currently based at a restored Kan-O-Tex Service Station in nearby Galena.

Gallery

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Riverton CDP, Kansas". U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder. Retrieved August 4, 2014.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  3. ↑ "Kansas Post Offices, 1828-1961, page 2". Kansas Historical Society. Retrieved 6 June 2014.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Scott Meeker (June 10, 2006). "Riverton man inspired 'Cars' character". Joplin Globe.

Further reading

County
Kansas

External links