The Norfolk & Western entered this territory with construction of the Southside Railroad between Petersburg and Lynchburg, Virginia (a line 123 miles long) built between 1849-1854.
As the Norfolk & Western Railroad grew westward, its management concluded that for operational control, four divisions would be better than the two existing ones. It was decided that one division should control operations between Norfolk and Roanoke, Virginia, with the main office at a halfway point. The halfway point fell midway of what was Nottoway County at a siding. A siding is what we today call a station. This siding was called Robertson Switch named after the family from which the land was purchased. In fact, this land had been in the Robertson family since 1745 when it was issued to them in the name of the King of England. Their plantation was called Hollywood.
The Southside Railroad was consolidated with the Norfolk & Petersburg and the Virginia & Tennessee Railroads as the Atlantic, Mississippi and Ohio Railway Company (AMO). By 1881, the AMO was sold and reorganized as the Norfolk & Western Railroad Company.
The railroad was of single track and steam engines operated on wood and water. A full load would only last about twenty-five miles so stockpiling wood at such sidings was a necessity. Local farmers also welcomed this extra source of income.
The sidings served as rural stations where locals could go to “catch the train”. In the case of Robertson Switch, there was the added bonus of a tavern nearby providing a rather delightful place to wait.
In 1887 when the shops were moved from Petersburg, the surveyors laid out a new railroad house, machine shops, power plant, division office and a support village. Land was cheap then at $12.00 per acre. A planned village such as this was unheard of in this area and proved to be quite a blessing. The streets were 60’ wide with alleys 20’ wide. Churches were given land and a business district was designated. There were equal size blocks with equal size lots. You can see that the village was designed beautifully. An English engineer, Major Huger, hoped for great things to happen here and changed the name from Robertson’s Switch to “Crewe” , after Crewe, England, famous as a busy and prosperous railroad center. The village of Crewe, Virginia was incorporated in 1888.
In 1892 the railroad built its offices here and in 1910 came the grand YMCA building. The large roundhouse was constructed in 1913 and the enlarged turntable installed in 1919. It was in 1923 a second back shop was built.
The plant and vicinity covers 137 acres. The railroad yard within the corporate limits contained 35 miles of track, 5 miles of sidetrack in the yard limit. The shop includes a 100’ roundhouse with 25 stalls and is served by a 115’ table, an engine back shop, 65’ x 170’; machine shop, a storage house, office buildings, oil house, power house, car repair buildings, coal tippler, and boiler wash plant.
The one thing that was not included in the original village plan was a cemetery. Possibly it was because most all of the new inhabitants had family ties and burial plots in Petersburg. It did not prove to be a problem for quite some time. Most workers were young, strong, robust and healthy. Secondly, when death did occur, viewing and visitations were held in the homes of loved ones and the Norfolk and Western would carry the casket to Petersburg free of charge. Those attending burial services were usually given “free passes” to catch a train to Petersburg.
Crewe did have an undertaker, Mr. Blanton, long before it had a cemetery. His duties included placing the casket aboard the train headed for Petersburg. Only high-ranking officials were honored with a special train that carried casket, family and friends.
In 1894, a non-railroad person passed away. Her name was Mrs. Mary Frances Moore. It’s believed she was a schoolteacher. She had no connections with family in Petersburg and wasn’t eligible for transportation services afforded those associated with the railroad. Not having a community cemetery at this point, Mrs. Moore’s survivors contacted the Robertson’s family concerning the possibility of purchasing burial space in their family cemetery. It is alleged that an exchange of $5.00 sealed the purchase and arrangements were made. Mary Frances Moore’s burial was the beginning of the Crewe Cemetery. It didn’t fully establish itself until some years later.
In 1961 steam engine era ended and the YMCA was closed. In 1963 the roundhouse, machine shop and turntable were torn down. In 1974 we sadly watched the grand YMCA building torn down.
You can be assured of more interesting facts since the steam era has ended and of the advent of diesel at our Museum. We look forward to seeing you!
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