Riverdale

Riverdale, situated about a kilometer east of City Hall, is uniquely bordered by the North Saskatchewan River to the south and east, and the river valley escarpment to the west and north, profoundly shaping its development. Settlers swiftly capitalized on its advantageous location in the 1880s, spurred by its proximity to the river and Fort Edmonton. The establishment of a lumber mill by D. R. Fraser in 1883, coupled with a nearby brickyard, spurred residential growth, fueled by coal mined from the cliffs overlooking Riverdale. Despite facing a severe flood in 1915, Riverdale’s southern river bank mitigated the damage, preserving much of its original charm, including cottage-style homes, a quaint church, and a brick school. Initially dubbed Fraser’s Flats after D. R. Fraser, the neighborhood was later renamed, likely inspired by its geographical features.