The Hill - Hickory's Historically Black Neighborhood

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One of the many Black businesses that used to line the streets of The Hill, Clemons Barber Shop, opened in 1978 by George Clemons. Clemons had been barbering in the area since the early 1970s, as he opened a smaller barbershop with his brother. Since his opening, he has continually barbered and now, at 80 years old, has plans of selling so that he can retire. The shop is one of the few remaining businesses from the “old days” that has kept the history of the area through him and customers that have been coming since its inception.

2. Friendship Missionary Baptist Church

Friendship Missionary Baptist Church began after Reverend P.R.D Gore left Morning Star First Baptist Church to establish a new church. Less than 400 feet away, Reverend Gore, with the assistance of other previous members of Morning Star and new believers, wanted to create a church that believed in the Holy Trinity, water baptism, and the sacredness of the Holy Bible. The congregation steadily grew, becoming one of the most attended churches in the area, and they stayed loyal, with some families attending the church over five generations.

3. Embassy Theatre

The Hill was self-sufficient. It held not only its own grocery store, hair shops, churches, and clothing stores, but also a theatre. Movie theaters were heavily segregated, causing Black patrons to go through extra steps to see a movie. They usually had to go to separate box offices, doors, bathrooms, and even stairs. Most movies would not allow them to go to the lobby to attain snacks. Still, Henry Brown decided that The Hill needed its own movie theatre, opening The Embassy in 1948, the only Black movie theatre in Catawba County.

4. Morning Star First Baptist Church

One of the oldest churches in The Hill, and the first Black Baptist Church in Hickory, Morning Star First Baptist Church began in the late 1800s. The church started at humble beginnings with fewer than twenty men and women in a wooden church, with a property value of $500. Reverend R.A. Smyre hosted services every first and third Sunday. The church continued to grow and allowed the community to grow as well by providing numerous outreach programs.

5. Ridgeview Library

With the intent to serve The Hill and be an extension of the local school’s library, on September 17, 1940, through a grant from the Works Progress Administration (WPA) and help from community members’ they established the first Black library in Catawba County. Grace Patrick, Spurgeon Young, Martha Troutman, and Nellie Corpening opened Twelfth Street Library. The library served the community for over 50 years and eventually closed so a newer library could serve the area better. As the library continuously moved and turned into a historical site, it is one of the few public places that continues The Hill’s history.

6. Ridgeview Community Center

Due to segregation, most Black communities had to be self-reliant. Local businesses and initiatives allowed the neighborhood to flourish. In the mid-1950s, Ridgeview Principal Professor Taft H. Broome led the area to obtain a community center. The community center was needed as a space for productivity and energy. The limitations of segregation made it so that The Hill did not have a recreation center outside the school’s gym. In 1958 The Hill opened the Ridgeview Community Center.

7. Ridgeview Schools

Ridgeview School opened in 1927 and was the center of the neighborhood. It consisted of an elementary school and the oldest Black high school in Catawba County. Ridgeview was not only known for its achievements in athletics but also the academic standings. It continually fought for funds and excellence through the leadership of the community and Principal Taft H. Broome. The schools shut down in 1966 due to desegregation, and most of its students went to Hickory High. The shutting down of the school left a hole in The Hill.

8. Ridgeview Football Field

The old football field was the place of the Ridgeview Panthers’ domination. They continuously outshined whoever they played. Winning the state championship in 1964, the Ridgeview Panthers football team went undefeated. Their distinction continues as they also did not allow any other school to score on them, leaving their season record 446-0. The team was deemed the “Untouchables” and has held the North Carolina High School Association record for consecutive shutouts for over 55 years, and has finally been recognized for its football achievements.

This Tour is a Walking Tour.

The Hill - Hickory's Historically Black Neighborhood

Created by Heritage Tourism Fall 2020 (University of North Carolina at Charlotte) on December 20th 2020, 1:38:13 am.

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"In 1940 on the Hill, you were Negroes; then, you were Colored. Today you are Black and Black is beautiful. So is your history. For a moment, step back in time; remember where you came from." -Drucella Sudderth Hartsoe. The Hill is a historically Black neighborhood near downtown Hickory. It contained the first Black school in Catawba County and countless Black owned businesses including grocery stores, hotels, cafes, dance halls, barber shops and more. Today the area is better known as Ridgeview, named after the former school.

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The Hill - Hickory's Historically Black Neighborhood

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