Ridgeway: Local History and the Pig on the Ridge BBQ Cookoff

Ridgeway brings together several themes from local history: the former use of the “World’s Smallest Police Station” as the town well, cotton shipping and the railroad’s role in the town’s growth, as well as a Historic District with about 31 buildings. Also included are the history of a former commercial building, a film connection and the annual Pig on the Ridge BBQ Cookoff. For trip planning, local history and a specific event date therefore offer distinct points of interest alongside one another.

Local History from the Well to the Historic District

Ridgeway was originally known as New Town. One specific building history concerns the “World’s Smallest Police Station”: before becoming a police station in 1940, it was the town well. The building thus connects two distinctly different functions: first a well, then a police station from 1940 onward. Those interested in the history of individual buildings will find a clear change over time within the town’s history.

The Ridgeway Historic District comprises about 31 buildings. It is significant as an example of a largely intact town from around the turn of the 20th century. The focus is therefore not on the history of a single building, but on the town’s historical character. The approximate number indicates the size of the district; its significance comes from its classification as a largely intact town of that era. By comparison, the Police Station tells the story of a single building, with a turning point in 1940.

Cotton, Railroads and Town Development

The history of cotton takes on a more concrete form at the Cotton Yard. This is the name of the area behind the “World’s Smallest Police Station.” Cotton farmers used it as a staging area to bring their cotton for loading onto the train and shipment to town. The railroad helped Ridgeway grow. The Cotton Yard thus connects preparing cotton for shipment with rail transport; the railroad’s role in the town’s growth adds to this view of local development.

A Former Store and a Film Connection

The building that houses the Isaac C. Thomas Historical Museum was originally the Isaac C. Thomas Mercantile Store, built in 1885. Its history focuses on a single commercial building and complements the Historic District by examining the house’s former use. The “World’s Smallest Police Station” has a later connection to film history: it appeared in the 1989 film “Staying Together,” which was filmed in Ridgeway. The landmark’s former use as a well, its role as a police station from 1940 onward, and its 1989 film connection therefore belong to different points in time.

Planning Your Visit and Walking Tours

Ridgeway holds the annual Pig on the Ridge BBQ Cookoff on the first weekend in November. If the cookoff is important to your travel plans, check the specific event date before your trip. This will help you decide whether to choose Ridgeway primarily for its local history or with this event date in mind.

Walking tour guides are available at the Ridgeway Visitor’s Center. As availability may change, check whether a guide is available before planning a walking tour.

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