The Ridge, as it was originally called, was first settled about 1819. Among the earliest permanent residence were Adam Livingston who moved there about 1820. He stayed about a year and sold out, relocating to the John H. Lewis homestead. Others were Matherson Patton who owned the Watts place; John and Dave Griffit [possibly Griffith] on the Caldwell place.

William Drake bought land at the foot of the ridge. He sold his land to Thomas Hays in 1822. In 1885, the same property was owned by Capt. Ira Traweek. John Womack built a house in the same area. It was later owned by Dr. C. J. Knight.

Andy Tarver also bought land in the Ridge. Tarver killed a black man in 1822, and was run out of the state. He turned his property over to his brother who sold it to Jesse Womack. Womack sold it to Thomas Hays about 1830. It was later sold to M. A. Thompson and in 1885 was still occupied by Mrs. Thompson.

James Earnest was the first to open a business in the Ridge. This was about 1822. It was later owned by Lewis Womack. A post office was maintained at the store for some time. Ridge became the general distribution point for the mail dividing it between the western and northern sections of Butler County.

The store and post office was moved father down the ridge to the Caldwell place. At that time the name was changed to Ridgeville. In 1835 it was moved again, to the crossroads at the Davis homeplace and what is still known as Ridgeville. The same building, store and post office, was moved again to Monterey where it stood in 1885.

At one time Ridgeville was the hub of culture for Butler County. It was also known throughout the state for it's gay life. People from everywhere came to participate and view foot and horse racing, fighting, wrestling, log rollings, cotton picking contests and an occasional dance and wedding. Seldom was a town meeting held that one or more fights didn't occur. It became such a regular event that most people automatically asked "Who won the fight today?" Weapons were never displayed, just a round of fist to fist old fashion fighting.

The community area of Ridgeville stretched along the eight miles of the hilly foothills of the northwestern section of the county. A house was never more than 1/2 mile from the next. It was like one large continuous town. The first school was taught in 1820 by Henry C. Jones. After that, the teachers were constantly changing. In 1830, a brick building was erected for an academy. The building was still standing shortly before 1900. In 1835, a church was erected near the Waters place, and a second one near the Davis place in 1850.

Families who remained as long time residences of Ridgeville included those of Crewshaw, Caldwell, Hays, Lewis, Little, Patton, Waters, Watts and Womack. The once totally white populated community is now almost completely of African- American descent.