On the banks of the Maumee River, Northriver contains the oldest neighborhood in Toledo, Vistul. In 1837, the towns of Vistula and Port Lawrence consolidated to form the city of Toledo. Another town, Manhattan, just north of Vistula, later joined to become part of Toledo. Over the past 150 years, the Port Lawrence portion of Toledo grew to become the central business district, characterized with wide streets and high rise buildings. Vistula, whose expansion was limited by its proximity to the Buckeye Basin, the last remnant of the Black Swamp that covered most of Northwest Ohio, remained primarily a residential area.

By the turn of the century, many of the affluent residents had moved out of the Northriver area into newer suburban neighborhoods, leaving behind their lavish mid-nineteenth century homes. As time passed by, these homes fell into disrepair. Although some homes needed only cosmetic improvements, others had deteriorated beyond the point of repair, and were torn down in the 1960s. By the 1970s, the historical and architectural significance of the Northriver area was rediscovered, Vistula was placed on the National Register of Historic Places as an Historic District, and, with the help of the local Riverside Hospital, a plan for restoration was set in motion.

Twenty years later, Northriver is a mixing of old and new; renovated homes from the nineteenth century stand next to newer constructions which replaced the vacant lots left by the demolitions. The architecture of Northriver is a collage of Greek, Gothic, Italianate, Victorian, and Arts and Crafts styles. The sizes of these homes ranges from stately mansions to smaller, modest homes built for factory workers. Many of the Post Civil War Italianate Mansions present in Northriver have been fully renovated and offer an alternative to suburban life.

As a neighborhood running along Toledo’s waterfront, Northriver offers a series of riverside parks for recreation. Riverside Park offers a place for public fishing, a pathway for walking or jogging, and a public swimming pool. As the area between Point Place and downtown Toledo, residents of Northriver share both the benefits of each neighborhood. They enjoy the convenience of downtown living as well as the recreational opportunities offered by Point Place. In fact, Vistula is the only neighborhood where you can own a house and be within walking distance to the downtown.

Transportation throughout the city is easy for the residents of Northriver. I-280 connects the neighborhood to I-75 as well as Toledo’s East Side. With the completion of the new Buckeye Basin Parkway, Northriver will have a direct link with downtown Toledo and better access to the Interstate system. Cherry Street provides quick transportation to West Toledo, and Summit Street links Northriver to neighboring areas like Point Place and downtown Toledo’s waterfront.

Homes in Northriver, based on 1990 census data, average between $20,000 and $40,000, and have an owner occupancy rate of 30%. The average 1990 annual income of a household in Northriver was $10,000. Over 10,000 people reside in Northriver.