Emporia, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Emporia Railroad History

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, May 9, 2009

1. Emporia Railroad History Marker

Inscription. The Petersburg Railroad was constructed in the early 1830s between Petersburg, Virginia and Weldon, North Carolina, through the towns of Belfield and Hicksford (present-day Emporia). It is considered the first railroad in the South built in a north-south direction. During the Civil War, the railroad carried food and equipment to Gen. Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia. A skirmish on 8 December 1864 destroyed the tracks here and temporarily disrupted Lee’s supply route. The Atlantic Coast Line Railroad bought the Petersburg Railroad in 1893. In 1967, it was renamed the Seaboard Coast Line and in 1985 the CSX Railroad.

Erected 1995 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number UM-44.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Railroads & Streetcars • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical date for this entry is December 8, 1864.

Location. 36° 41.571′ N, 77° 32.188′ W. Marker is in Emporia, Virginia. It is at the intersection of Halifax Street and Baker Street, on the right when traveling north on Halifax Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Emporia VA 23847, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southside Virginia

and specifically in Central Virginia.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking

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distance of this marker: John Day (approx. 0.2 miles away); Fearnought (approx. 0.2 miles away); Samuel Wilbert Tucker (1913~1990) (approx. 0.2 miles away); Hicksford Raid (approx. ¼ mile away); Hicksford Raid Monument (approx. 0.3 miles away); Meherrin River Trail (approx. 0.3 miles away); Tarleton's Movements (approx. 0.4 miles away); Shiloh Baptist Church (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Emporia.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Butts Tavern (was approx. 0.2 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Emporia Train Depot image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, May 9, 2009

2. Emporia Train Depot

Credits. This page was last revised on November 2, 2024. It was originally submitted on May 11, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,234 times since then and 47 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 11, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.