The townsite of Riverton was platted in 1889. Riverton post office was established in 1890 and named for its situation on the river.[4] Orlando A. Kelly, the first postmaster, was also said to have been the first settler there.[4]
In 1915 Riverton had a population of 200.[5] At that time Riverton shipped coal mined locally by steamboat to California.[5] The first coal mine opened in the county in 1854 and up to a quarter of people worked in what was then the region's most important industry.[6] Riverton served as a coal-mining center for more than 50 years.[6] In 1940, Riverton's population was 150, and the place served as a trading center for farmers who grew peas.[7] The post office closed in 1961.[4] Formerly Riverton Ferry crossed the Coquille there and as of 1969, it was still being operated by the county.[8][9] At one time the community had a high school and a grade school.[5] Circa 1901, there was a Christian Church and today there is a Riverton Community Church unaffiliated with the former one.[6] As of 2010 there are no stores in Riverton.[6]
^ abcd"Coastal Towns". Pioneer History to About 1900, Churches of Christ & Christian Churches in the Pacific Northwest. Northwest College of the Bible. Retrieved January 16, 2010.