Neil Renaud has explored some of the history of North Richmond, but has concentrated on the stories of William A. Hansford (1876 - 1956)  and Jane Hansford (1879 - 1949) who left an important legacy.

In the period 1925  to 1935, William Hansford was responsible for the creation of the Riverview Estate (essentially both sides of today’s Riverview Street), and the area extending from there to Bell’s Line of Road (most of which is today’s North Richmond Village and North Richmond Heritage Plaza).

Secondly, Hansford built the present North Richmond Hotel, replacing the earlier Riverview Hotel (formerly known under its previous names as the Woolpack Inn, and the Traveller’s Rest).

Thirdly and additionally, Jane Hansford was lauded for her extensive fund-raising efforts in aid of the Windsor Hospital and other causes.
The couple were held in very high esteem by the community.