Riverdale, Iowa is a small Mississippi River community in Scott County with deep roots in the region’s agricultural history and a civic identity shaped by local determination. Settlement in the area accelerated in the mid-1800s, with landmarks like the Crissey House standing as one of the earliest permanent structures still in the community.
In the early 1900s, the area became known for innovative agriculture and industry, including Col. George Watson French’s Iowana Farms and Dairy, a nationally recognized operation that helped raise standards for dairy production. Riverdale’s modern story took shape in the postwar era, when ALCOA announced plans in 1946 to build a major rolling mill nearby, sparking growth and a prolonged legal fight over annexation.
Riverdale ultimately incorporated in 1950 and secured its independence in 1953 when the Iowa Supreme Court upheld the community’s right to self-govern. Today, Riverdale blends industrial and residential character with a strong volunteer spirit, reflected in community traditions like the Easter Egg Hunt, Summer Fest, Trick-or-Treat, and the Riverdale Volunteer Fire Department’s annual open house.