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 Simonton, the area's first black resident. Later it was known as the "Hill" because of its geography, before adopting the name Ridgeview for the beautiful mountain views in all directions. Ridgeview was a stable, thriving, and close knit community.