Riverton

I've only mentioned Riverton once before on this blog, in one of very my first posts way back in 2009. This little village in Barkhamsted is not Connecticut's fanciest, or its prettiest. But there's something arresting about it. Other towns might have a gently curving main street or a cozy-looking general store or an old mill on the river, but Riverton combines these in a way that makes you stop and take notice.

Before Riverton was Riverton, it was Hitchcocksville, named for Lambert Hitchcock and the eponymous furniture company he started here in the 1820s. His factory where the Still and Farmington Rivers meet churned out not only chairs but interchangeable chair parts, a new concept in the industry at the time.

To quote from the article linked above: 

Over the years Hitchcock designs varied, but Lambert’s early chairs were known for their broad back panels, narrow slats, square drop seats, and very sturdy legs. Perhaps their most distinguishing feature, however, was the hand-painted stenciling, which included the famous emblem: “L. Hitchcock. Hitchcocks-ville. Conn. Warranted,” which adorned the back of every Hitchcock chair.

Over the years Hitchcock designs varied, but Lambert’s early chairs were known for their broad back panels, narrow slats, square drop seats, and very sturdy legs. Perhaps their most distinguishing feature, however, was the hand-painted stenciling, which included the famous emblem: “L. Hitchcock. Hitchcocks-ville. Conn. Warranted,” which adorned the back of every Hitchcock chair. - See more at: http://connecticuthistory.org/built-on-innovation-saved-by-nostalgia-the-hitchcock-chair-company/#sthash.AlAcyyfm.dpuf

Over the years Hitchcock designs varied, but Lambert’s early chairs were known for their broad back panels, narrow slats, square drop seats, and very sturdy legs. Perhaps their most distinguishing feature, however, was the hand-painted stenciling, which included the famous emblem: “L. Hitchcock. Hitchcocks-ville. Conn. Warranted,” which adorned the back of every Hitchcock chair. - See more at: http://connecticuthistory.org/built-on-innovation-saved-by-nostalgia-the-hitchcock-chair-company/#sthash.AlAcyyfm.dpuf

Don't you totally want one now?

The company closed in 2006, but in 2010 the Hitchcock Chair Co., Ltd. opened on Riverton Road. They restore old Hitchcock furniture and they also sell new chairs. They even have limited edition Connecticut towns-themed ones. I mean.

The distinctive white Hitchcock building (which now holds storage units) was the model for this Little Free Library in the center of the village. (If that's not picturesque enough for you, there's another one elsewhere in Barkhamsted which was modeled on the fairy-tale-like gatehouse at the Barkhamsted Reservoir.)

And here's a bonus fun fact from the Barkhamsted Historical Society: "in the Riverton area are some of the oldest rocks on earth."

There is more to Riverton than the General Store and Hitchcock chairs. But not that much more. Which is, I get the sense, exactly how the people of Riverton prefer it.