Hartzell Memorial United Methodist Church was originally established on 1st Street between 1879 and 1882, hosting several pastors while at that location. Under the leadership of Rev. A. A. Newsome, a Normal Church School was established. He served as principal and one of the teachers was Mrs. Mayme Bulware. Students attended from Hickory and neighborhing communities, with many studying the ministry. In 1929, Rev. W. T. Lomax, Rev. Elder Robert Smith, and several members of the church moved from the 1st Street location to the corner of Center Street and 2nd Avenue.

By the late 1930s, 12th Street SW, now known as South Center Street, was the hub of activity in Ridgeview. Along this corridor were thriving black-owned businesses, including cafes, professional services, medical offices, laundromats, beauty and barber shops, and taxi services to transport residents thoughout the community.

With Pat's Pool Room, Club Dynamic, and multiple cafes, this area was once a mecca for entertainment. Ridgeview residents could enjoy a movie at the theater and a game of pool before a nice meal at Horton's Cafe or Bessie Dula's Cafe.

One block east of Friendship Baptist Church, Norwood Patterson engaged Henry C. Cline to erect a two-story commercial building on South Center Street in 1937. The Patterson Building was home to a number of African American businesses over the years, including Bennett's Barber Shop, serveral soda shops and restaurants, and Pat's Cab Company. In the 1930s, Dr. James H. Barnhill, a dentist, had his office on the second floor, where he lived with this wife Ethel. At the time, Dr. Barnhill was the only African American dentist in Hickory and Bennett's was the only barber shop for blacks. In the 1940s, the Elks Lodge, Masonic Hall, and American Legion Post #257 used the second story for meetings.

In 1940, the first library in Hickory's African American community of Ridgeview was started by Mrs. Nellie Harbinson Corpening.It was a small space inside a storefront building on 12th Street SW (now Center Street). The library began under the guidance of four local women and a grant from the WPA (Works Projects Administration). The rent was paid by local church groups, and the library's materials originally came from the main Hickory library, Lenoir-Rhyne University, and private sources. Community interest and the library collection continued to grow, requiring more space. George Ivey purchased a lot at 1st Street and 7th Avenue SW and deeded it to the City of Hickory as a site for the library. Hickory civic clubs, businesses, and individuals continued to donate funds under the sponsorship of the Altrusa Club. The new Ridgeview Public Library opened in 1951. Today, the former Ridgeview Public Library remains a vital and important structure to the Ridgeview community and stands as one of the last links to the neighborhood's past. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places on May 12, 2001.

In the late 1890s, 17 people united together and organized Morning Star Baptist Church. Through the years, the church grew in size to over 400 people, and to this day continues to have a strong membership. Friendship Missionary Baptist Church was built with 14 people in 1903. Th emotto of those 14 was "Together let us sweetly live, Together let us die." Addition to the churches in this area, the Embassy movie theatre, managed by the Derr Brothers, was also a staple for the community.

On the corner of 5th Avenue and 1st Street was Addie Berry's Day Care. This was the first African American licensed day care for working mothers in the Ridgeview community. Next door to the day care was the home of Ivey Westly Dula, Sr. he was the first African American Deputy Sheriff in Catawba County. Among other small businesses in the community were Watts Convenience Store, a candy store, a dry cleaners, and funeral homes.

Mt. Pisgah AME Church is a member of the African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Church, which was founded in 1787 by Bishop Richard Allen. Under his leadership, the A.M.E. Church grew and now flourishes throughout the country. Mt. Pisgah, first named Bethel, was started in 1875, where members of the church held meetings under brush arbors and in the homes of its worshippers. Then, in September of 1879, the first plot of land was purchased for $16.00 and a small building was built for worship. Rev. Jim Henderson, the first pastor, came in 1903. Bethel A.M.E., now Mt. Pisgah, was the first black church built in the Hickory area. The motto was “a little church by the side of the road, where everybody is somebody and Christ is all.”  

PROFESSIONAL ATHLETES, MASONIC LODGE, & THE SPOT GROCERY

Ernie, Robert (Bobby), and Thurston Warlick, were known by the community for their athletic abilities. All had many accomplishments throughout their careers.Ernie, a football player, played for Calgary Stampeders and the Buffalo Bills in his career history. Bobby played in the NBA with the San Francisco Warriors and the Phoenix Suns. Thurston played for Xavier University. One of his highlights included playing against Wilt Chamberlain and his team won. At this site was the home of Brice and Edna Warlick, parents of the Warlick brothers. Across the street was the Victory Masonic Lodge, built in 1928. The Spot Grocery, owned by John and Lillie Pike, opened in early 1950. Both were important to the life of the community.

The current Ridgeview Branch Library had its grand opening on June 20, 1998. In 2020, to meet the demand for more technology and more space, this building was renovated by the City of Hickory. The expansion included a 100-seat meeting room, a group study room, increased seating and computer space, new technologies like 3D printing, and modifying existing space. Next door to the library is the Ridgeview Recreation Center, which had once been home to the Community Center. Here is where many concerts and activities were held and plenty of memories were made.

Early records indicate that a school for blacks was established in the community in 1897. In 1927, Hickory’s single building for black children was extended through eleven grades. The school was named Ridgeview because of the beautiful mountain views in all directions.  Though a fire destroyed the school in 1936, it was rebuilt with an elementary wing. The gymnasium was completed in 1941 and was used for sports, band, and glee club. Being the only gym in the area for blacks, it was also used for theatrical performances, graduations, and community activities. In 1957, a new high school was built, with additional elementary classrooms being added in 1960. Integration laws forced the closing of Ridgeview High School in 1966 and the elementary school followed suit in 1973. The new high school building, the oldest elementary, and the shop were demolished. The gymnasium and cafeteria continue to serve the community.

Tracing back to the mid-19th century, Ridgeview was the first African American neighborhood to develop in what would become Hickory, North Carolina. The community called the area "Bobtown," in reference to Bob Smonton, the area's first black resident. Then, later, it was known as the "Hill" because of its geography, prior to adopting the name Ridgeview, because of all the beautiful moutain views in all directions. Ridgeview was a stable, thriving, and close knit community.

Ridgeview High School Alma Mater:

By the ridge of Blue Top Mountain stands dear Ridgeview High, whose fame and honor ever mounting never, ne'er will die. Ridgeview, Ridgeview Alma Mater your sons and daughters are true, long as the sun sets o'er yon mountain, we'll cheer the Orange and Blue.

Around the turn of the 20th century, the City of Hickory had acquired land to the south of the Ridgeview community for an African American burying ground. Located on both sides of 4th Street SW, Ridgeview Cemetery covers approximately six and a half acres and contains more than 800 graves, with the oldest dating to 1898. In 1938, the City purchased additional land to enlarge the cemetery.