The commanding officer of the Confederate troops, Simon Bolivar Buckner, who had fought with Atwood's brother, Edward, in the Mexican–American War, agreed to spare the partially built house.

His troops built a temporary roof over the basement to use it as a munitions magazine during the winter of 1861–1862, when Bowling Green was the Confederate capital of Kentucky.

It is a classic example of Italianate architecture with arched windows, deep eaves with ornamental brackets, and a cupola.

Another innovation beneath the cupola is a hole in the ceiling, sometimes called an oculus, which is part of the ventilation system of the house.

The city of Bowling Green purchased the property with the intent of demolishing the house and building a golf course.

Riverview is listed on numerous Civil War driving tours and Heritage Trails in Kentucky.