Back to RiverviewOnline       


The Alafia River
"Time is but the stream I go a-fishin in. I drink at it, but while I drink I see the sandy bottom and detect how shallow it is.  It's thin current slides away, but eternity remains."  ~Henry David Thoreau~

Riverview.

Our Past.  Our Present.  Our Future.

 


Riverview Map  •  Riverview Roots - Area's Ancient History   •  Riverview History  •  Riverview's Future - Our Community Plan

Riverview History


     Riverview, FL is one of those rare communities that has managed to maintain its small town atmosphere while perched on the outskirts of the "big city" - the City of Tampa is only about 12 miles northwest of Riverview.  Riverview is a very old community which is presently undergoing an intense transition from a quiet town "where everybody knows your name" to the fastest growing community in Hillsborough County.

     Riverview was first settled around 1840 and was one of the earliest settled areas in Hillsborough County, although the US Government had a fort at Tampa beginning in June of 1824.

     The "old-timers" whose families have lived in Riverview for many generations are hard working, independent people who have diligently protected and preserved the heart and soul of Riverview for the future generations to come. We "newcomers" who are the fortunate heirs of their labor owe it to them now to join with them and work together side-by-side to guarantee that the special elusive "something" that emanates from the close-knit community of Riverview is not lost in the rush to develop.

   My husband John and I have been developing RiverviewOnline.com since 1999. It is our hope that RiverviewOnline.com, with its emphasis on "neighbor-to-neighbor" interaction via the Riverview message board, will help Riverview preserve its small-town feel while undergoing the stress of rapid development.  

     RiverviewOnline.com is both a labor of love and a very fun hobby for us, and we hope that you will enjoy your visits to our website.  

 -- Terri Bakas, January 8, 2005

 

Historical Overview of Riverview

bulletNative American Indians named the river Alafia which means “ River of Fire ” because of the sparkling effect of phosphorous in the water.
bullet1842 Benjamin Moody arrived and built the first house in what is now referred to as “the town of Peru ” and subsequently Riverview .
bulletFounding families included Moodys, Simmons, Bravos, Saffolds, Barneses, Hardings, Boyettes, Lesleys and McGriffs.
bulletActivities included shipping of supplies up the Hillsborough River to the Bay on a sailing vessel named Josephine.
bullet1846 first church is built – the  Methodist Church was built by Benjamin Moody
bullet1870’s and 80’s fruit packing company flourished on the Alafia River .  Citrus was packet in barrels, shipped by barge to Tampa , and then transported by steamship to New Orleans .
bullet1885 the “Peruvian Mine Company and first mine was established.  Minerals were mined out of the bottom of the Alafia River.
bullet1874 the first post office was built.  The first postmaster was J.M. Boyette.
bulletBetween 1910 and 1920,  the road between “now” Riverview was made of brick  it is now US 301.
bulletIn 1930,  H.J. Moody dedicated land for an elementary school in Riverview .  It was built where the Kash n’ Karry stands today.
bulletThe library in Riverview was previous a worm farm
bulletDuring prohibition and during late 1920’ and 30’s the industry of Moonshining was an activity that helped many residents survive.  Boats would travel up the Alafia river for moonshine pickup.
bulletWhiskey Stump on the bay at the end of Adamsville’s Road was a hollowed out tree where whiskey was stored.  People would come on boats to this area would pay an old man and retrieve stored jugs of whiskey

 

 

Riverview Then & Now

     Riverview, FL is one of those rare communities that has managed to maintain its small town atmosphere while perched on the outskirts of the "big city" - the City of Tampa is only about 12 miles northwest of Riverview.  Riverview is a very old community which is presently undergoing an intense transition from a quiet town "where everybody knows your name" to the fastest growing community in Hillsborough County.

      Riverview was first settled around 1840 and was one of the earliest settled areas in Hillsborough County, although the US Government had a fort at Tampa beginning in June of 1824.

      The "old-timers" whose families have lived in Riverview for many generations are hard working, independent people who have diligently protected and preserved the heart and soul of Riverview for the future generations to come. We "newcomers" who are the fortunate heirs of their labor owe it to them now to join with them and work together side-by-side to guarantee that the special elusive "something" that emanates from the close-knit community of Riverview is not lost in the rush to develop.

     My husband John and I have been developing RiverviewOnline.com since 1999. It is our hope that RiverviewOnline.com, with its emphasis on "neighbor-to-neighbor" interaction via its many community message boards, will help Riverview preserve its small-town feel while undergoing the stress of rapid development.  

    RiverviewOnline.com is both a labor of love and a very fun hobby for us, and we hope that you will enjoy your visits to our website.  
                       -- Terri Bakas

Riverview United Methodist Church
in Riverview, Florida

The first church in what is now known as "Riverview" was the Methodist church.  Now known as "Riverview United Methodist Church," the church was founded in 1846 by Benjamin Moody, the first settler in the area.

1896 Historic Moody Home

The Historic Moody Home was built in 1896
and purchased about 1902 by the grandson of Riverview's first pioneer, Benjamin Moody. 

Moody House

The Historic Moody House was built in 1896 and bought by WB (Ben) Moody in 1905. It was the home of Mary Moody, his daughter born in 1901, for virtually all her life. She died, I believe, in the 1990s.

What makes the house a community treasure is its long association with the Moody family who are the descendants of the first settler in his area, Benjamin Moody, who arrived in what is now Riverview in 1842.

1842 Benjamin Moody First Settler In This Area

In 1842, Benjamin Moody had just finished a tour of duty in the U.S. military fighting the Seminoles and thought this area would be a good place to put down roots. So the first settler was an ex-military man who was just ending his tour of duty. Sounds like many of the families you know today, doesn't it? He received a military pension until his death in 1896.

Benjamin Moody was prominent in this area for many years, serving on the first board of county commissioners, helping to found the first church, the Riverview United Methodist church, and helping to start the first school.

Benjamin Moody's son, his grandson WB (Ben) Moody, and his great granddaughter Mary Moody, all lived in the house. WB (Ben) Moody moved into the house in 1905 and then his father came to live with them in 1915.

The Moody family continued to be leaders in the community. Benjamin Moody's son operated the Alafia Hotel and his grandson, WB (Ben Moody) was also a cattle rancher among his other business interests.

Mary Moody Remembers Riverview