Joseph Smith Hyde and his son W. H. Hyde opened a department store reputed to be the largest in Western Pennsylvania. The third floor of this building contained the Opera House, the first opera house in Ridgway. The department store was later known as the Hall, Kaul & Hyde Company Store. This building was located at the southeast corner of the Main Street and Broad Street intersection..

A partnership between Joseph Smith Hyde, W. H. Hyde, his son and Walter P. Murphy was affected. The company and plant took the name of the “Ridgway Sash & Door Company” In November 1901the Hyde-Murphy Company was incorporated. In 1905, the Hydes sold their interests in the company to Walter P. Murphy. The firm soon became recognized as one of the best known manufacturers of architectural woodwork and millwork construction in the Eastern United States. Many of the homes in Ridgway contain examples of the magnificent craftsmanship of the firm. In May of 1961 the Hyde-Murphy Company closed its doors. In 1974 the remaining buildings of the large complex were demolished to make way for the Ridgway Community Park.

The Russell Car and Snow Plow Company was established (Originally called J.H. and J.W. Russell). In 1909 the Russell Car and Snow Plow Factory was the only factory in the world devoting its entire attention to the manufacturing of snow fighting equipment

On March 28, 1895 the Clarion River Bridge was lighted by electric lights. This bridge would remain in place until 1914 when the magnificent single- span reinforced concrete bridge was designed and built by Will Dickinson.

April 20, 1897, new Ridgway Opera House is opened. Seating capacity was 1,163. An arsonist, G.M. Saunders, destroyed the building on October 21, 1905. The Opera House was rebuilt and reopened on October 5, 1906.

In 1898, the three Smith Brothers, F.C, P.R. and C.H. Smith, purchased the W.H. Hyde Company General Store (also known as the Hall, Kaul and Hyde Company Store) in Ridgway to mark the beginning of the Smith Brothers Company. The brothers continued to conduct their business in this building until 1907 when they purchased the John L. Larson Company building on Main Street, presently the Dollar General Store.
 

March 1, 1900, delivery of mail to individual residents begins in Ridgway.

The New Bogert House Hotel was completed. The new brick structure incorporated the original courthouse of Ridgway in the back. The Bogert Hotel contained the first elevator in Elk County. The owner, as in 1879 when the original courthouse section was moved to the site was Mr. Hugh McGeehin.
 

According to census records, Ridgway’s population reached its peak in 1910 at slightly over 6,700. The 2000 census listed the population as 4,752.