Riverton

Ch. 2. Growing Pains 

By the turn of the century, Riverton had grown from a collection of log cabins to a proper settlement of nearly 200 residents. The original 23 families had been joined by a steady trickle of newcomers drawn by tales of a community where life moved at a gentler pace and neighbors still knew each other's names. But growth brought new challenges, and the quirky little town would spend the next fifty years figuring out how to stay true to its founding principles while adapting to a rapidly changing world.

The Mayor Mishap of 1803

As Riverton's population swelled, it became clear that Conway's informal leadership wasn't sufficient for a proper town. The community needed official governance, but nobody could agree on how to choose their first mayor. Some wanted to vote, others suggested drawing straws, and a few holdouts insisted that Conway should just appoint himself and be done with it.

The debate raged for months until Young Tom (now not so young and married to Mary Abernathy) made an offhand joke that they should "let the horses decide." What started as sarcasm quickly gained momentum when Dr. Hamilton pointed out that horses had already solved their biggest land dispute. It was almost tradition by now.

The community decided to hold "The Great Horse Race of Democratic Determination," where each mayoral candidate would ride their horse through an obstacle course designed to test both horsemanship and problem-solving skills. The course included navigating around barrels, crossing a makeshift bridge, and stopping to "deliver mail" to various checkpoints around town.

Marcus Grey was the obvious favorite, being the town's premier horse trainer, but his mount stumbled at the final obstacle when a chicken wandered onto the course. Widow Abernathy (now remarried and going by Mrs. Abernathy-Fletcher) took an early lead but got distracted arguing with a judge about proper jumping form. The winner was Samuel Pepper, whose steady farm horse plodded methodically through each challenge while Samuel waved cheerfully to the crowd.

The Annual Mayor's Race became Riverton's most beloved tradition, held every four years regardless of whether the current mayor was running for re-election. Even today, mayoral candidates still have to complete the course, though it now includes modern obstacles like navigating around parked trucks and stopping to order coffee at the Egg Nest Cafe.

Establishing Horse-Only Laws (1810-1825)

Riverton's famous transportation restrictions didn't happen overnight. They evolved gradually as the town grappled with outside pressures and internal debates about progress versus tradition.

The first formal Equine Preference Ordinance of 1810 was passed after a traveling merchant arrived with a loud, smoke-belching steam wagon that spooked every horse in town. The contraption broke down after two days, but not before Old Thunder (still alive and still stubborn) kicked a dent in its side. The town council, led by Mayor Samuel Pepper, decided that any "mechanical conveyance" needed special permission to enter Riverton.

The ordinance was strengthened in 1818 when the Northwest Wagon Company tried to establish a regular freight route through town. Their heavy wagons tore up the carefully maintained dirt roads and created traffic jams at the Green Lake Dock. After a particularly heated town meeting where Marcus Grey threatened to personally block the road with his prize stallion, the council passed the Hooves Before Axles Act of 1818.

The most comprehensive legislation came in 1823 with the Riverton Transportation Charter, which officially banned all wheeled vehicles except for essential services like the doctor's cart and emergency supply wagons. The law included a famous clause stating that "the rhythm of our community shall be set by the natural gait of the horse, not the artificial supposed urgency of mechanical devices."

External resistance came primarily from territorial officials who viewed Riverton's laws as backward and economically harmful. In 1825, Territorial Governor William Clark (not the famous explorer, but a distant cousin) threatened to revoke Riverton's charter unless they opened their roads to commercial traffic. The town's response was typically creative: they invited the Governor to visit during the Annual Mayor's Race, where he was challenged to complete the course himself. Governor Clark's borrowed horse threw him into a mud puddle at the first obstacle, and he left town muttering about "stubborn frontier folk." The territorial government decided Riverton wasn't worth the trouble.

Early Economic Development

Riverton's economy in the early 1800s was built on three pillars: agriculture, horse breeding, and stubborn independence. The Pepper twins' reconciliation had created a agricultural powerhouse that supplied not just the local community but also trading posts throughout the region. Their Pepper & Pepper Produce became famous for vegetables that were somehow both larger and more flavorful than those grown elsewhere, a result of their secret fertilizer blend and the twins' competitive drive to outdo each other even while collaborating.

Horse breeding became Riverton's signature industry under the guidance of the Grey family. The Conway M. Grey Equestrian Center expanded throughout the 1820s and 1830s, attracting buyers from as far away as California and Texas. Riverton horses developed a reputation for intelligence, sure-footedness, and an almost supernatural ability to navigate difficult terrain. Some claimed it was the mountain air; others insisted it was the community's deep respect for the animals.

The town's commitment to staying small was both philosophical and practical. Mayor Samuel Pepper, who won three consecutive Mayor's Races before graciously stepping aside, established the "Riverton Sufficiency Principle" in 1828: the town would grow only as much as necessary to maintain self-sufficiency and community cohesion. When the population reached 300 in 1835, the town council implemented an informal policy of encouraging new residents to establish homesteads in the surrounding valley rather than within the town proper.

This approach was tested in 1842 when gold was discovered in the nearby mountains. Prospectors flooded the region, and many wanted to use Riverton as a supply base. The town council, led by Mayor Helena Grey — the first woman to win the Mayor's Race, riding sidesaddle through the entire course — made a shrewd decision: they would provide supplies and services to miners, but only those who respected the horse-only laws and didn't try to establish permanent mining operations within town limits.

The Gold Rush Compromise brought temporary prosperity without permanent disruption. Conway's trading post expanded into a proper general store. Dr. Hamilton trained two assistants to help with the increased medical needs, and the Central Bank, still managed with an albeit larger strongbox, handled the influx of gold dust and currency.

Growing Institutions and Identity

As Riverton matured, its institutions evolved to reflect both practical needs and the community's unique character. The Post Office moved from Conway's wooden box to a proper building in 1815, though mail delivery remained dependent on whoever happened to be riding in the right direction. Postmaster Jenkins, a newcomer from Virginia, initially tried to establish regular schedules, but quickly learned that Riverton operated on "horse time" — deliveries happened when they happened, and everyone was fine with that.

The Riverton Public Library was established in 1820 when Mrs. Abernathy-Fletcher donated her late husband's book collection and convinced the town council to build a proper building. The library became the unofficial center of town intellectual life, hosting debates about everything from horse breeding techniques to the proper way to preserve vegetables for winter.

Dr. Hamilton's practice evolved into a proper medical facility, though he maintained his tradition of treating both humans and animals with equal care. His detailed health records became the foundation for Riverton's reputation as an unusually healthy community. Visitors often commented on the residents' robust constitution and longevity, which Hamilton attributed to "clean air, honest work, and the therapeutic effects of daily horse interaction."

The Flea Market tradition began in 1830 when Widow Morrison, the blacksmith's widow, started selling her late husband's tools and equipment in the town square. Other residents brought their own surplus goods, and soon the monthly gathering became a combination social event, economic exchange, and community news forum. The Second Hands Pawn Shop grew out of this tradition, though it wouldn't get a permanent building until the 1880s, when it was called the Exchange.

Challenges and Adaptations

The period wasn't without its difficulties. The Great Horse Flu of 1834 struck nearly every animal in town, forcing residents to walk everywhere for three months while Dr. Hamilton worked frantically to develop a treatment. The crisis brought the community together in unexpected ways. Neighbors shared resources, took turns caring for sick animals, and discovered that they could actually accomplish quite a lot on foot when necessary.

Economic pressures from the outside world constantly tested Riverton's resolve. Railroad companies made several attempts to route lines through the valley, offering substantial payments for land rights. Each proposal sparked intense community debates, with pragmatists arguing for the economic benefits and traditionalists insisting that trains would destroy everything that made Riverton special. The Great Railroad Debate of 1847 lasted six months.

The Mexican-American War of 1846-1848 brought federal pressure to modernize transportation for military purposes, but Riverton's remote location and the territorial government's lingering frustration with the town's independence meant they were largely left alone. A few young men volunteered for military service, but most returned home with stories that only reinforced their appreciation for Riverton's peaceful, horse-centered way of life.

Looking Forward

By 1850, Riverton had successfully navigated its first half-century of growth while maintaining its essential character. The town had proven that a community could prosper without sacrificing its values, that progress didn't require abandoning tradition, and that sometimes the best way to solve a problem was to let a horse wander around until it found the answer.

The Annual Mayor's Race had become a regional attraction, drawing visitors from throughout the Northwest who came to witness Riverton's unique approach to democracy. The horse-only laws had survived multiple challenges and were now seen as an integral part of the town's identity rather than a temporary eccentricity.

As Mayor Thomas Fletcher, Mrs. Abernathy-Fletcher's son from her second marriage, stood in the town square during the 1850 Founder's Day celebration, watching children race their ponies while their parents traded goods at the weekly market, he reflected on how much had changed and how much had stayed the same. The town had grown, but it still felt like a place where everyone knew their neighbors. Progress had come, but at a pace that allowed the community to adapt without losing its soul.

The next fifty years would bring even greater challenges as America rushed toward industrialization and civil war, but Riverton had established the foundations that would allow it to remain true to itself while the world transformed around it.