Former resident and PHS grad, Ed Shoemaker, recently found our July 4, 2011 post and left a poignant comment.
In it, he articulates the sweet nostalgia that memories of Riverton can arouse even though years later and miles away.
Riverton’s Fourth of July was a major event as I, my brother and sister grew up on Lippincott Ave. We marched or rode bicycles or in dog-pulled wagons during all of our childhood years. As a drummer in the PHS band it was a thrill to march down Broad Street anticipating all the events afterward. Wish I could be there to see it all again.
Will you settle for some photos, Ed?
Here are some photos of Riverton’s 2017 July 4th celebration by Gary R. Weart, another fan of Riverton and a great friend of the Society. – JMc
We invite readers to say “hi” to Ed or Gary, or add your own remembrance of Riverton here. Include a captioned photo, if you wish. That dog pulling a wagon would be something to see! -JMc
The bike events of last weekend may be gone, but the memories remain.
The history and love of cycling came alive Saturday, June 10, 2017, at the start of Riverton’s Historic Weekend of Cycling.
Early morning races directed by The Cynergy Cycling Club attracted about 70 riders on 4 different routes.
Lunch at Riverton School
Lunch was a huge success thanks to Orange Blossom Cafe (adjusting to an hourly count change)…and thanks to Richard Gaughan and John Laverty for the beverage and ice run. Riverton School could not have been more cooperative.
Bike Safety Rodeo
The Bike Safety Rodeo helped young riders learn how to be confident and safe.
Community Bike Ride
The Community Bike Ride began at Riverview Estates.
Paul Schopp
Riverton Town Historian, Paul Schopp gave an excellent and concise history of bicycling in Riverton. (See Paul Schopp’s remarks here.)
Mayor Suzanne Cairns Wells
Mayor Suzanne Cairns Wells greeted the riders and opened the program.
Nancy Hall, Bill Hall, Paul Schopp, Phyllis Rodgers
Ride Marshall, Bill Hall was applauded for his active support of the Society and lifelong participation in cycling events. The costumed wavers along the bike route were just perfect.
Historical Society of Riverton President Phyllis Rodgers welcomed the riders.
At the marker, Richard Gaughan rides as Paul Schopp waves
And they were off, led by Helen Mack through the streets of Riverton, waved on and greeted at the historic marker where Riverton’s nationally recognized bike track once existed.
Then down Cedar Street and cheered on. And finally returning to Riverview Estates, which was very generous and hospitable.
Iris Gaughan, Matt Morse
Thanks to the efforts of chairperson Iris Gaughan from the Historical Society of Riverton and Matt Morse from Cynergy Cycling, it was a very successful day.
Susan Dechnik, Phyllis Rodgers
Our newsie, Susan Dechnik, distributed the special June edition of Gaslight News by Patricia Smith Solin and Editor John McCormick, which brought the “biking” weekend into the historical focus it deserves. (limited copies available at Riverton Library; also available online)
Thanks also to Susan for photographing and documenting Saturday’s activities.
Undated photo, courtesy of Ed Gilmore. Riverton Athletic Assn. Bicycle track
The history of this town is rich indeed… every event highlights a rich and fascinating facet of our town… we are proud to contribute to a heritage marvel.
After months of planning, securing permissions from Borough Council, soliciting sponsors, and engaging volunteers and technical support, Carlos Rogers again brought the excitement of competitive cycling to Riverton.
Starting in the shade because of high temperatures in the 90s
Racing in various USA Cycling categories, riders complete 30-45 laps on a .8 mile, 6 turn, flat and fast course through the historic streets of Riverton, NJ, starting and finishing at 4th and Main Streets. (See results here.)
Newest HSR Board member Keith Fencl checks out the food truck menu
Josh Matisoff, balloon twister, entertainer, and decorator. He can twist anything out of balloons.
First started in 2011, the family-friendly event this year continues to draw men and women athletes, amateur and pro, in pursuit of recognition, a cash purse, and a shot at the primes, which are prizes awarded for winning specific intermediate laps during a race. A bell is rung to announce to the riders that whoever wins the next lap, wins the prime.
License plates seen in CVS lot
The roster of participants includes many from NY, PA, DE, and NJ, plus others from DE, RI, MO, OR, WA, CO, LA, and NH, making it a national event.
Wade McDaniels’ snow cones are a Riverton favorite. He recently retired from Riverton School. Happy retirement, Wade!
Part sporting match, part philanthropic endeavor, this new slice of Americana known as the Historic Riverton Criterium has provided over $25,000 in charitable contributions from proceeds of the race to local organizations.
Carlos Rogers waves as he starts the race
In a fitting climax, the DJ’s loudspeakers blared out Bruce Springsteen’s “Glory Days,” as Carlos himself led the Masters 45+ race in a rolling start. (19 sec. video here)
Glory Days, indeed.
Iris was EVERYWHERE those two days
Thank you, Carlos, riders, spectators, residents, sponsors, and volunteers for another successful Historic Riverton Criterium!
The commentary above is a mashup from remarks by Iris Gaughan, Phyllis Rodgers, Carlos Rogers, and Editor John McCormick
And finally, this article from the Philadelphia Inquirer, March 8, 1889, tells of an indoor football game between the Riverton team and the University of Pennsylvania. See the entire article here.
This Saturday, June 10, 2017, from 1:30 to 3:30 pm, Cynergy Cycling Club will direct a free Bicycle Safety Rodeo for children ages 7-12 on the Riverton School blacktop. The clinic will teach children riding skills and precautions to take so they can ride a bicycle safely. No need to register.
At 4 pm the free Community Bike Ride (approx. 5 miles) will begin and end at Riverview Estates on the riverbank. Refreshments and activities will take place at the end of the ride around 5:15 pm.
HSR member Roger Prichard provides the unlabeled picture of a boy from an album of original photographs in the possession of the Riverton Free Library, depicting scenes and portraits taken over several years about 1887.
407 Bank Avenue taken 2013
Roger deduces that the photo was taken at the Riverton home of Edwin H. Fitler, Jr. and his family (407 Bank Avenue). Roger writes:
The Queen Anne-style upper sash of the window is very unusual in Riverton, but was a distinctive feature of this Fitler house after Fitler commissioned its expansion and updating in 1882. The house still has windows exactly like that today, with single-light lower sashes and uppers with small surrounding panes in a pattern of 6 panes by 6 panes…
During the height of the bicycle craze well over a century ago, William E. Harvey bicycled over 12,000 miles, the equivalent of riding coast-to-coast over four times, to win a state medal.
Note that the next year he completed 68 hundred-mile races called “centuries.”
That is one serious cyclist!
No less determined are the bicycling enthusiasts who will be in Riverton this weekend.
Cynergy Cycling Club‘s organized distance rides of 15, 25, 35, 45, & 50 miles each start and end in Riverton on Saturday morning. The club will host a Bike Safety Rodeo at 1:30 on the Riverton School blacktop and a Community Ride (more info here) through the town that afternoon.
The activities Saturday are prelude to Sunday’s main event, during which hundreds of serious cyclists will descend upon Riverton’s Main Street to compete in the Historic Riverton Criterium.
Live music, food trucks, a balloon twister, and more complete this cycling spectacle to kick off the summer of 2017. – JMc
Come to our Annual Meeting, next Tuesday, May 23rd at Nellie Bly’s, 529 Main Street, Riverton, at 6 PM. We invite Historical Society of Riverton members to be our guests for pizza and ice cream. No cost for members but we would like a head count so please RSVP at 856-786-8422 or partea@comcast.net We will elect and install new officers, give out some awards, report on the 2017 year, and discuss the upcoming Historic Riverton Century Community Bicycle Ride on June 10th as well as plans for next year. Hope to see you there.
