DeWitt, Virginia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
DeWitt, Virginia
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Unincorporated community
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 DeWitt, Virginia
Location in Virginia
DeWitt, Virginia
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Virginia |
| County | Dinwiddie |
| Elevation | 295 ft (90 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| Area code(s) | 804 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1465671 |
DeWitt is a small place in Dinwiddie County, Virginia, United States. It's called an unincorporated community, which means it doesn't have its own local government like a town or city. DeWitt is located about 6 miles (10 km) northeast of another place called McKenney. You can find it along U.S. Route 1, a major road.
In the past, DeWitt was a rural area. It had many large farms, known as plantations. These farms relied on the forced labor of enslaved African Americans.
Contents
DeWitt's Railroad History
Early Railroad Connections
In 1900, a new train line was finished. It was called the Richmond, Petersburg and Carolina Railroad. This railway passed right through DeWitt. It connected Petersburg, Virginia to Ridgeway Junction, which is now Norlina, North Carolina.
Soon after it was built, this railroad became part of a bigger company. It joined the Seaboard Air Line (SAL). By 1914, DeWitt was growing. The railroad estimated that about 200 people lived there.
Changes to the Train Line
The train line that went through DeWitt was sometimes called the "S-line." It kept running for many years. Trains used it to carry goods and people.
However, in the 1980s, things changed. A company called CSX decided to stop using this part of the line. This meant that DeWitt no longer had train service. This made it harder for the community to trade goods and connect with other places.
Historic Places in DeWitt
Stony Creek Plantation
One important historical site in DeWitt is the Stony Creek Plantation. The oldest building on this plantation was built a very long time ago, in 1750. That makes it over 270 years old!
In 2003, Stony Creek Plantation was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This is a special list of places in the United States that are important to history. Being on this list helps protect the site and reminds people of its past.
