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The exodus from Riverdale started about
1956 when construction was completed. When buildings were empty, most were torn down or sold and the people moved out.
The 1,124 seat theater was the first to go. The large brick power plant, which had generated electricity and provided
heat for the temporary building, was dismantled after natural gas came to town.
The
four trailer courts along with the framehouses emptied out when construction of the dam was finished. The town
continued to be government owned and operated until 1986 when it was sold to the residents and a city council form of government
was established.
Riverdale today is a peaceful and serene place to call home.
More and more people are moving to Riverdale. It seems to be the ideal place for retirees. It is the peacefulness
of the lake that makes people like to fish and hunt. The lake is approximtely 178 miles long and 200 feet deep.
It extends in a northwesterly direction to the Montana border.
Promoting tourism
and quiet country living, the town has been selling lots for summer or permanent houses and continues to be an active community.
The Garrison Dam is more than two miles long, almost 20 stories high, and holds
back the largest man-made lake in North America - Lake Sakakawea. The Lake was formed after the dam held back the Missouri
River's waters. It is named in honor of the SHOSHONI Indian woman, SAKAKAWEA (Bird Woman).
She and her husband, Toussaint Charboneau served as guides to the Lewis & Clark Expedition which explored the Missouri
River Basin, the Rocky Mountains, and the Columbia River Basin from 1804-1806.
Reprinted in part from the Bismarck
Tribune (Spring 2008) [After the school closed in the mid1990's,
ownership eventually fell to the city, which considered tearing down the building.]
"The new owners
of the former Riverdale school building intend to have the place humming with activity again. Lee Bertsch of Bertsch Construction
in Bismarck and his wife, Jane, are remodeling the building into a restaurant, bar, hotel and fitness facility. 'An opportunity
arose, and we saw that we could hlep the community', their son, Cole said. 'The town didn't want it torn down.
Not only did we save it for the community, it will be bringing more jobs, more people to the community.' The Knights
Bar & Grill took its name from the team mascot of the former Riverdale High School. The red-and-black decor
reflects the school colors. The bar and grill is using the former kitchen and cafeteria. The bar will have three
large-screen televisions, including a 106-inch projector screen. The restaurant will serve a full menu, from burgers
to steaks. The hotel will be named Riverdale High Lodge. The building's hardwood floors are being
preserved and there will be 20 hotel suites. There will also be a 24-hour fitness center with new equipment."
Come & See what they've done to our school building ... Latest
News from Jane who says, "our web site is finally up and running. Please check us
out at www.riverdalehighlodge.com. We plan on completing the main floor of the lodge by early spring 2009. Our
upstairs of 9 motel rooms are complete."
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