Crewe, Virginia Facts for Kids

Crewe was started in 1888. It was built as a main spot for fixing steam locomotives. These were the big, old-fashioned trains that ran on steam. The Norfolk Southern railroad used to be called the Norfolk & Western Railroad. They had a large train yard here. This yard was important for trains carrying Appalachian coal to Hampton Roads for shipping overseas. The town's streets were planned out at this time. Crewe was named after another railway town, Crewe, in England.

Changes in the Railroad

In the 1950s, the way trains worked changed. Trains started using diesel-electric engines instead of steam. These new engines needed less work and fewer parts to fix. Because of this, the railroad repair center in Crewe became less important.

Local Landmarks and Events

Today, Crewe has a small railroad museum. It shows the history of trains in the area. A famous Baptist missionary named Lottie Moon, who worked in China, is buried in the town cemetery. Crewe also holds fun events every year. There's a "chicken festival" in June and a "Homecoming Celebration" in May.

Nearby Historical Sites

The Battle of Sayler's Creek happened near Crewe. This was one of the last big battles of the American Civil War. It took place just before the main Southern army gave up at Appomattox Court House. Two historic places in Crewe, Millbrook and Mountain Hall, are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A writer named Robert Buckner was born in Crewe. He wrote movie scripts and short stories.

Crewe's Economy

In recent years, the number of local shops in Crewe has gone down. Many people think this happened because of larger chain stores. These bigger stores opened in nearby towns like Blackstone and Farmville, Virginia. For example, a grocery store called Star Value closed in 2005. However, a Dollar General store later opened.

Helping Residents with Shopping

To help people without cars, the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation stepped in. In 2005, they provided money for a bus route. This bus helps people travel between Crewe and Blackstone. It allows them to reach stores like Walmart and Food Lion in Blackstone.

Geography of Crewe

Crewe is located at 37°10′46″N 78°7′39″W / 37.17944°N 78.12750°W / 37.17944; -78.12750. It is in the state of Virginia.

The United States Census Bureau says that Crewe covers about 2.0 square miles (5.2 square kilometers). All of this area is land.

Population Information

Historical population
Census	Pop.	%±
1890	887	—
1900	1,329	49.8%
1910	1,802	35.6%
1920	2,097	16.4%
1930	2,152	2.6%
1940	2,048	−4.8%
1950	2,030	−0.9%
1960	2,012	−0.9%
1970	1,797	−10.7%
1980	2,325	29.4%
1990	2,276	−2.1%
2000	2,378	4.5%
2010	2,326	−2.2%
2020	2,262	−2.8%
U.S. Decennial Census

In 2000, there were 2,378 people living in Crewe. There were 971 households, which are groups of people living together. About 645 of these were families. The town had about 1,171 people per square mile.

Community Services

Crewe has its own police department. It also has a volunteer fire service, where people help fight fires without being paid. The Nottoway County Sheriff's Office also helps keep the town safe.

Attractions in Crewe

The Crewe Railroad Museum is a popular place to visit. It is located at 125 Carolina Street. The museum is in an old train station that used to belong to the Norfolk and Western Railway.

What to See at the Museum

Inside the museum, you can see a permanent model train layout. This is like a miniature world with trains running on tracks. The museum also has some real train cars and equipment. It is open all year round.

Crewe, Virginia facts for kids

Contents

History of Crewe