Before the Boom: The Secret History of Riverview You've Never Been Told

Did you know Riverview wasn’t always called Riverview?

 

Long before the bustling traffic on U.S. 301 and the sprawling new communities, it was a rugged pioneer settlement with a different name entirely.

 

In the early 1840s, settlers established a small community along the south bank of the Alafia River, curiously naming it "Peru"—a native word thought to mean the “straight part of the river.”

 

That name, pronounced Pe-Roo, held for nearly a century.

 

It was a footnote on old maps, a relic of a time when a simple ferry was the only way to cross the water and trade with neighbors.

 

The community wouldn't officially be rebranded as Riverview until the 1940s, a change driven by the post office to end mail confusion between the north and south banks.

 

Before modern amenities, the region’s identity was forged by the land.

 

Industries like citrus groves and phosphate mining left a deep mark on the landscape, driving the early economy.

 

In 1921, Riverview became home to Florida’s first commercial poultry farm, an agricultural milestone established by pioneers Emmet and Myrtle Tope.

 

That spirit of growth has never really stopped.

 

The numbers tell a stunning story of transformation.

 

From just over 71,000 residents in 2010, Riverview’s population exploded to more than 107,000 by 2020, making it one of the most dynamic and fastest-growing hubs in Hillsborough County.

 

This explosive growth has reshaped the community entirely.

 

Today, that pioneer past feels distant, replaced by new subdivisions, bustling shopping centers, and a constant hum of construction.

 

New businesses are constantly setting up shop, from national chains to local ventures, reflecting the area's vibrant expansion.

 

Yet, the echoes of old Florida remain, if you know where to look.

 

The Alafia River, once a vital highway for steamships, is now a cherished resource for recreation, with locals and visitors enjoying its natural beauty.

 

The blend of past and present defines the modern Riverview experience.