With the history of Riverside dating even before its incorporation in 1875, its story has been told repeatedly, but not as well as the present publication compiled by Lonnie Sacchi and Connie Guardi – Images of America: Riverside.
Much of the story had been previously told in the book Riverside Then and Now, originally printed in 1936 with subsequent editions in 1958 and 1995. The original book was edited by Herb Bassman of the Riverside News, who also was active with the now-defunct Riverside Historical Society, which became the Riverside Historical Commission with Bassman as chairman.
The new publication has many photos from the first book, but many more additional pictures to tell the story all the way to 2011 and the Halloween lighting of the water tower.
Readers of the book will get a chance to learn about some of the early people who helped shaped Riverside’s history, names we have only heard but now can identify with print and pictures.
Ever wonder who Guthrie Park is named after? His picture is in the book. Who was known as the “Silver Fox,” and why? How about the Cross family? Are there members of the family still in town? Yes, but do you know who they are and what connection they have to the clock at the Riverside Township Hall? What business was originally located where the Riverside Bank now is? Was it always Riverside Foods? Where did you go get a soda in Riverside? The answers are all in the book.
The captions accompanying the pictures give those not familiar with Riverside’s history a chance to see how it became a village steeped in local history. There are tributes to its landscape architecture and the architects whose designs still are prominent within the village.
Kudos to Sacchi and Guardi and those who helped them compile the book. It was a fun read and something I will refer to many times. It will also make a great Christmas gift for both residents and those who have moved away.
The book is available at Riverside Foods, the Riverside Public Library and the Riverside Historical Museum. The proceeds of sales from those locations benefit the historical society.
While it may not be on Oprah’s book list, I highly recommend it. Trivia enthusiasts will enjoy it.
Coupled with Riverside history, this summer Ken Getty, the father of Lyons Village President Christopher Getty, gave me a history of Lyons that he has penned. The history contains many links to Riverside.
