Our History
Built in 1903, these three buildings have been deemed national historical landmarks. They were built by the Philemon Bryan Family, who were one of the first settlers in Ft. Lauderdale.

The family arrived in the area in 1895 to lay the beds and the tracks for Henry Flagler’s railroad line, which ran the entire east coast of Florida, all the way to Key West.

The Bryan Family became quite wealthy from this endeavor. And although Philemon’s two sons Reed and Tom were teenagers at the time, they grew responsible for much of Ft. Lauderdale’s growth and development as the city that now sprawls and stretches way out west into the Everglades.

The larger building to the east was built as the main family home. As it turned out, being devout capitalists, the Bryans’ took in travelers who stopped in Ft. Lauderdale on their way home to other destinations, and of course, charged them a fee. Eventually their home became the “New River Inn”, the first hotel in Ft. Lauderdale

Philemon built the boys their own homes side by side. Tom and his family lived in the east house (which is now where the bar, veranda and private rooms are located). Reed and his family enjoyed the larger west house (which now encompasses the patio, porch, balcony, and the 4 interior rooms). They occupied these homes until the 1970’s. In 1983, Tom & Reed’s homes were converted into a single restaurant called “Bryan homes”. It has also been the “Chart House” and “Reed’s River House”, and in November 1999, was renovated and reopened as The River House.

We are proud to bring a cuisine that reflects how America has grown. We use only the finest quality ingredients available, including day boat fish, prime cuts of beef and locally grown produce, which we have incorporated as our distinguished byline… Great American Food.