A rural town with strong ties to Virginia’s railroads
Train horns and the rumbling of freight cars lugging coal and lumber are part of the daily soundtrack of Crewe, a small town in south-central Virginia. A rich railroad history defines this community, which still thrives off of its robust railroad system. “Crewe is a railroad town that’s rural and laid-back,” says local real estate agent Rhonda Gay with eXp Realty. “It’s an old Virginia railroad; it used to be Norfolk & Western, and now it’s Norfolk Southern, which has a hub here. The train goes from Norfolk to Roanoke, and a lot of people are still employed through the railroad system.” Crewe was established in 1888 as a major stopover for the maintenance shops of Norfolk & Western, which dates to 1838 and merged to become Norfolk Southern in 1980. The railroad’s history and Crewe’s storied past—along with model trains and a historical caboose—are displayed at the Crewe Railroad Museum, housed in an ex-Norfolk & Western depot. Today, the railroad system, as well as lower home prices and proximity to Richmond, continues to draw residents to Crewe. “Affordable housing and some of the major employers, like the railroad and the military base, are why people want to live here,” Gay says. Crewe’s small-town community sits about an hour’s drive south of Richmond.
Traditional architecture ranges from ranch-styles to large estates
Homes cluster together on smaller lots closer to the town center, while sprawling farms make up the outskirts of Crewe. Ranch-style homes are common here, mingling between colonial homes, craftsman-style bungalows and farmhouse-inspired cottages. Prices start at around $90,000, though fixer-upper properties may have lower price tags, and can reach up to $650,000. Outliers include estates and working farms with expansive acreage that can fetch up to $2 million. Parcels of land ranging in size are also available, costing between $25,000 and $265,000.
Average schools in Nottoway County Public School District
Nottoway County Public Schools serve school-aged children in Crewe. The district gets a C overall grade from Niche. Kids may begin at C-rated Crewe Primary School for prekindergarten through fourth grade. They can advance to Nottoway Intermediate School and Nottoway Middle School, which also both earn C scores. Nottoway High School serves over 500 students across the county. The school receives a C-plus overall grade, with a high score in diversity and above average ratings in sports and college prep.
Recreation at town parks and the Twin Lakes State Park
A handful of town parks offer recreational opportunities for residents of all ages. Railroader Park is home to the Crewe Burkeville ballfield and open green spaces, framed by the adjacent City Park with picnic tables. Further down sits the Crewe Railroad Museum, with its historic train cars and cabooses. Hooper Park is another tract with wide open spaces. Crewe is about 10 miles from Twin Lakes State Park, which features over 500 acres and two lakes, offering waterside trails and water recreation like boating and swimming.
Small-town establishments with proximity to national grocers
Crewe is anchored by U.S. Route 460, lined with a diverse mix of establishments ranging from homey diners to local businesses and services. Town staples include Dine ‘N’ Crewe, Sundae’s Restaurant and Yoder’s Market, which serves premade foods and other delicatessen. “Yoder’s Market is known for their donuts, but they have subs and homemade bread and cakes, too,” Gray says. “You can get soups and salads to go, and they’re open every day except Sunday.” Residents typically head into Farmville, 19 miles west, or Blackstone, 10 miles east, for groceries at national stores like Walmart and Food Lion. Additional small-town eateries and shops can also be found in each respective town.
Nearby routes connect to surrounding towns and Richmond
Crewe residents are car-dependent for transportation, relying on Route 460 to connect them to surrounding towns and nearby cities. Proximity to Route 360 links locals to Richmond, 56 miles northeast. The Richmond International Airport is the closest, about 70 miles from Crewe.
Written By
Christina von Claparede-Crola
