The Riverton:
History & Legacy
Researched & Written By
Brenée Robinson
The history of Riverton runs deep like the rivers. It was built from the blood, the sweat, and the tears of social justice.
History
As World War II veterans returned to the States, Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (MetLife) contracted with the City of New York to develop the Stuyvesant Town (StuyTown) residential community. Located on Manhattan’s Lower East Side, the complex was set to house 9,000 families with one caveat: “no Blacks allowed.” According to the New York Times, Frederick Ecker, president of MetLife at the time, publicly stated “negroes and whites don’t mix, if we brought them into the development, it would be to the detriment of the city.”
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To combat this housing discrimination, three veterans, Joseph R. Dorsey, Monroe Dowling, and Calvin Harper, filed multiple lawsuits, and thousands of people came together to protest. As two million of their policyholders were Black, in addition to mounting legal and political pressures, there was a sense of obligation. On September 18, 1944, MetLife announced the plan to “erect a modern park-like residential community for 1,200 families” called Riverton Houses. Riverton would be erected under the Jim Crow ideology of “separate but equal.”
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The First Residents
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On July 28, 1947, the first chosen residents of the 20,000 applicants moved into 2225 5th Ave – Riverton’s first completed building. The first veteran families to move in were Mr. Bruce and Mrs. Constance Wright, Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Faulkner, and Mr. and Mrs. Emmett O. Smith. Mr. Wright was a law student at Fordham University and later became a judge on the New York State Supreme Court. Mrs. Wright was an educator and the principal of P.S.197, located across the street from Riverton.
Mrs. Wright recalls this day in the Riverton Documentary “Down By the Riverside,” sharing that she felt “great joy” and “triumphant,” especially since she had been personally turned away at StuyTown. Mr. and Mrs. Wright’s story was featured in the New York Herald Tribune newspaper. Move-in day also made headlines in other media outlets, including The Amsterdam News, the most prominent Black newspaper in the country. Becoming a “Rivertonian” was a significant achievement – it symbolized upward mobility and hope for the Black community.
Setting The Standard High
Clifford Alexander Sr, the founding member of Carver Federal Savings and former Harlem YMCA director, was appointed as Riverton’s first resident manager. Alexander was notoriously known for setting high standards. He handpicked each of the first 1,200 Riverton families. The application process included a house visit to assess how prospective residents managed their household.
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In Alexander’s interview with the New York Times, he shared that he was intentional about selecting residents who were “responsible and intelligent.” Alexander understood his assignment; he had to meticulously curate the “model Black middle-class community.” He was also known for sending out mailers, “admonishing residents from littering,” and reminding them that it was important to “maintain Riverton’s enviable position as second to none.” Under his 17-year leadership, the complex proudly stood tall, clean, and safe. According to Doris Haywood, the first office manager, the success of Riverton spearheaded the “metamorphosis of the neighborhood.” It was also pivotal in demonstrating to MetLife, the City of New York, and the rest of the country that integration was for the benefit and not to the detriment of residential communities.
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Growing Up Riverton
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Oasis, safe haven, village – these words are consistently used to describe what it felt like to live and raise children in Riverton. The playground was the gathering place. While the younger children played on the slides and monkey bars, the older ones played hopscotch, hot peas and butter, and hung otut on the swings. The playground and basketball court were under the watchful eyes and strict rules of Mrs. Mildred Bell and Mrs. Cleo Gates, the recreation supervisors. Patricia Neely, who grew up in Riverton, recalls that the playground was “truly the happiest years of (her) life.”
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When Riverton kids weren’t outside playing, they were spending time in each other’s homes. It was common for neighbors to watch over each other’s children – there was a true embodiment of community.
The Role Models & Pioneers
A plethora of pioneers lived in Riverton – David Dinkins, the first Black mayor of New York City. Judge Constance Baker Motley, the first Black woman to argue a case at the United States Supreme Court and the first to serve as a federal judge. Dudley Glasse, a Tuskegee Airmen, and the first Black fire chief of the Bronx. Rosetta LeNoire, the actress most known for her role as Estelle Winslow on the ABC sitcom Family Matters. She was a strong advocate for racial equity in the theater industry and founded the Amas Theatre. Basketball hall of famers William “Pop” Gates, William “Dolly” King, and Clarence “Puggy” Bell, who all played for the legendary Harlem Rens (Renaissance), the first Black-owned professional basketball team in history. The list of notable residents who have contributed to this village is extensive and could fill history books.
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The most notable aspect of these individuals is that after spending their days fighting for equality in their respective professions, they came home to Riverton. They came home to serve as role models and share their gifts.
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Dinkins was one of the founders of 100 Black Men Inc., which held its initial meetings in Riverton. Motley lived in Riverton while she worked on the landmark case Brown v. the Board of Education. Glasse was one of the founding troop leaders for the Boy Scouts Troop 163. LeNoire supported the beauty pageants and theater events for the children. Gates, King, and Bell all mentored the youth on and off the basketball court.
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King served as the first recreation supervisor, while Bell served as the head of security for the 12 guards who zealously patrolled the grounds. He was remembered for keeping the kids on the “straight and narrow.”
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There were many role models, mother and father figures, and they were all accessible.
Judge Bruce Wright would play football with the youth, and instead of calling penalties for holding or offsides, he would call penalties when the players didn’t speak proper English. Raising Riverton kids felt like a shared responsibility. According to Dennis Neal, who grew up in Riverton, “there was always someone looking out for you and giving you the five-cent lecture on success.​​​
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Notable Residents
Riverton has been home to many notable residents. They fought for equality in their professions, stood at the forefront of the civil rights movement, and served as community activists. As role models within the Riverton village, their contributions not only shaped Harlem’s legacy but also inspired generations. The list below highlights just a handful of these remarkable individuals.
David Dinkins
Mayor of New York City
Judge Bruce Wright
NY Supreme Judge
Suzzane De Passe
Motwn Executive
Rosetta LeNoire
Actress, Founder of Amas Theatre
Dr. William "Billy" Taylor
Jazz Pianist, Founder of Jazz Mobile
Patricia Banks Edmiston
First Black Flight Attendant
Judge Constance Baker Motley
US District Court Judge
Robert C. Weaver
US Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
Franklin Hall Williams
Civil Rights Leader
Dr. R. Chester Redhead
Dentist
Dr. John L.S. Holloman, Jr.
Physician
Calvin (Cal) Ramsey
New York Knicks
PUBLIC SERVICE:
Clifford Alexander, Jr.
Dudley Glasse
Judge Robert Mangum
ENTERTAINMENT:
Gregory Abbott
Alma John
Phil Medley
PRO ATHLETES:
Clarence “Puggy” Bell
William “Pop” Gates
William “Dolly” King
RIVERTON INAUGURAL STAFF:
Clifford Alexander, Sr.
Mildred Bell
Charlie Clark
Cleo Gates
Doris Haywood
Riverton Legacy
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Today, the legacy of Riverton lives on through the various streams such as the Riverton Tenants Association, Scout Troop 163, Claude B. Govan Chapter of Tuskegee Airmen Inc., the Honorable David and Joyce Dinkins Riverton Center, the Harlem Cultural Archive’s documentary “Down By the Riverside,” and the professionally recorded songs, “Middle of Harlem” by Gregory Abbott and “We had a good thing in the Riverton” by Bill Waters, which you can listen to here.
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As Riverton heads towards its 100th year milestone, remember to respect and honor the space.
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Respect thy neighbor. Respect the sacred land.
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Honor the blood of the “Rivertonians” who served this country, honor the sweat of those who poured their time and energy into this community, and honor the tears of those who fought tirelessly to bring Riverton to fruition.
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Riverton is historic grounds, and like the rivers, its legacy will run on forever.
© 2025 by Brenée Robinson All Rights Reserved.
Special thanks to Harlem Cultural Archives
for its research assistance and images.