Fema Buying Riverside Inn

[Daveinozark]

further reading into it says it will occur by years end. Too bad since it has such a rich history, but I don't imagine they'd build anything there unless it was on stilts. Hopefully it will become an access point now.

[Greg]

Yes hopefully it will become a new access point. That would be nice. But a couple of comments about this:

First it is extremely sad for those of us that have grown up in this area. I have a lot of good memories of Riverside. My brother's wedding reception was there over 20 years ago. My uncle went to college in Springfield and bussed tables part time at riverside back in the 50's. It seems like most all of the home owned restaurants in our area are now gone. All chain restaurants now or close to it.

Also it sure doesn't seem like a good use of our tax $$ for FEMA to be buying it and spending that kind of money to turn it down. But what else is new? Sorry don't want to start anything political here.

Greg

[Wheatenheimer]

I'm with Greg, a little sad to see it go.

My Girlfriends Parents met at a Christmas party in 1958 at the Riverside. They were married in the spring of '59 and we celebrated their 50th at the Riverside earlier this year. The original owner (can't think of his name) painted several beautiful murals in the restaraunt that are still in tact, despite the years of flooding. Unless they dismantle the walls by hand and relocate them, those gorgeous paintings will be gone forever.

It seems that every year it floods and every year they clean it back up and open the doors for business again. I don't know that anyone has ever been trapped in the building during a flood and didn't make it out. Seems a little "fishy" to me..........Pun intended.

Kevin